WHITE DRAGON MARTIAL ARTS in Erie

  NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE TRI STATE AREA !! 

 I Have Worked With the Best Of The Best When It Comes To Professional Kickboxers / Martial Artists. Just To Name a Few...  In this Pictures L-   A Really Good Friend & Mentor,  Undefeated Middle Weight Champion, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Former World Champion Don "the Dragon" Wilson...  Also Former Light Heavy Weight Champion, Jeff Smith...  Former Heavy Weight Champion Joe Lewis... UFC and Former Strike Force Middle Weight Champion Cung Le.. 

Dr. Mark McCumber started training as a child In Seattle Wa. with training off and on for a few years as a child on the westcoast. When his family moved back to Erie Pa. he picked back his training and received his 1st Black Belt in Kenpo. Then moving to Denver Co. in the late 80's and working for G.M.Stephen Oliver's Mile High Karate, as a Program Director first.  He saw an opportunity to work with the lil ones, ages 4-6 and starting the program called the "LIL DRAGONS" 

Mr. McCumber worked 24/7 to get his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and did it in 18 Months. He changed positions to the Head Instructor / Manager..Where he saw 12 of his LIL DRAGONS receive their Black Belts. Then in the late 90's he moved to Illinois to help open Chicago Karate for 1 1/2 years. 

 In 1999 Master McCumber opened up WHITE DRAGON MARTIAL ARTS. While opening WDMA he studied  Japanese Jiu Jitsu and received his Black Belt. Dr. McCumber is now is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.  In the last 18 years while running WDMA Dr. McCumber has worked with the "Best Of The Best" in the Martial Arts World.. and was Inducted into The USA Martial Arts Hall Of Fame 3 Times.

He now comes back home to North East Pa. to help his classmates, their children and grandchildren get the same great training.  

Dr. McCumber Has Trained Some Of The Best Fighters & Martial Artists in The Midwest. Katy Perez, 2 X W.A.K.O. Champion. & Illinois Woman's 115 lb.Champion.. Cristian Argomaniz, 3 x W.A.K.O. Forms, Weapons, & X-Treme Forms Champion and His Sister Cristal Argomaniz, Zach Anderson, D.J. Rhoton, Liz Hernandez and Noemi Ortiz..

 We Teach The "REAL DEAL" When It Comes To Proper Technique... Dr. McCumber Has Over 50 Black Belts Back In Illinois and In 2 yrs He Will Have 6 in North East Pa.

WHAT CLASSES WE OFFER !!!

W.D.M.A. Is A One Stop Shop For Fitness, Stress Relief, Self-Defense & Character-Development.. We Teach Martial Arts To Children Ages 4 - Adults to 74.  Building Character One Child / Adult At A Time. Making Leaders One Student At A Time.. 

KARDIO KICK BOXING:

 This is where The "REAL DEAL" is taught ... Being taught with real proper techniques that would be used in a Boxing Ring.. Throwing proper punches, kicks,  It's a great way to tighten up Triceps, Abs, Thighs and Booties.. Plus it’s a great way to learn SELF-DEFENSE.. You can burn up to 1200 Cal / Hr. "It's A Head To Toe Kick Butt Workout" tm   Need More Info go to www.WDMA-KardioKickBoxing.com

X- TREME BOOT CAMP:

 The Best Fitness Program to come into the TRI -STATE area. WDMA has a proven 8 year program called the X-TremeBootCamp.. That Will Have You in the  Best Shape Of Your Life. This X-TBC Program is a 18 week / 90 Day / 5 Days a Week  Mon-Fri Class. With 3 years experimenting on myself and a few good friends. Now 8 years in the Publics Eye. The X-TBC has received great reviews in the Chicago, IL Suburbs and now here in North East Pa.  The avg. weight loss has been 30 lbs and 20- 30 inches total ..Ladies losing up to 4-5 dress sizes. Men losing 7-10 inches in waist.  Ladies doing in the beginning 5-8 female pushups, now after the X-TBC 40-50 Male pushups in 1 minute. 10 sit-ups, now doing 60 sit-ups in 1 minute. Transformation of Butts Rising 4-6 inches Up..Flabby Triceps to Rock Hard, & Abs of Steel in 18 Weeks.. Need more info... go to www.X-TremeBootCamp.net

 LIL DRAGONS:

 We Teach Chidren ages 4-6.. 

 While working for my Instructor in Denver Co. I was noticing all the LIL ONES on the sidelines watching their older siblings taking Martial Arts. After one of our weekly meetings I said, "We have all this lil brothers and sisters watching their older sibling in class." "We should come up with a way to teach this age group.".. He says, "It's Your Idea, You Put Something Together" So after 25 years now.. We have it in North East "The Original Home Of The LIL DRAGONS" We are a Character Development Center. Teaching, Self-Respect, Self-Control, Self-Discipline, Focus & Concentration. 

 AMERICAN FREESTYLE:

 I starting my teaching in Denver Co. in 1990, I have taught 100's &100's of students. While a Brown Belt, I was actually teaching Black Belt Classes. I have a "Nack" for seeing how Forms ( KATAS ) and kicking & punching techniques are suppose to be done  and done properly.. I learned from the best instructors we had at Mile High Karate and made my own style of teaching.. We Teach Self-Defense Techniques as well as Focusing, Concentration, Discipline Skills. Anti - Bullying Techniques Too.  We work with the Parents & Teachers hand and hand to make the Best Child.  We also Teach Teens and Adults. As White Belts, you will learn basic techniques with proper ways of doing it.. As Gold Belts, you will learn how to take those proper techniques and put them together to make Traditional Forms (Katas)  You will also take the basic Kicks  Punches and put them together to make Combinations like a Kick Boxer or Fighter.   

WDMA EXAM:

Sat Sept 23rd 2017 @ 10:00 am 

Testimonial for Riley Whitney  Due to Riley's participation with the Little Dragons Karate School, she has consistently been very kind and considerate towards the needs of others.  She has always been a sensitive child, but we feel the influence of Master McCumber and interactions with her classmates has positively impacted her.  In addition, Riley demonstrates a commitment to exercising and limiting her intake of “junk food”.  She understands that eating things that are unhealthy should be done in moderation, where exercising on a regular basis is very important to her physical health.  So much so, that she reminds us of the importance of doing our exercises as well.    Lastly, Riley has always had a positive, and happy, attitude.  We are very glad that her experience with Martial Arts has enhanced her positivity and desire to help us and those around her.  For example, she is constantly looking for ways to fill her Kindness Chart.  There have been numerous occassions that we have just completed one, only to have to start the second one the same day.. 

Rebecca / Dennis Whitney

Your workouts kept me in the best shape in my life. I gave up when you closed and moved out of state. I do plan on going back to some kind of work out program. Now your words are ringing in my ears. 

Michael A Grillo

When I first signed my son up at White Dragon Martial Arts he was off on his coordination at eight years old he still had trouble with balance, and knowing his left from right.  He has also struggled with ADHD and confidence.  It has now been eight months of working with Dr. McCumber, and I have seen tremendous change in my son.    He now knows his left and right I believe due to the repetitions of the combos he works on weekly.  His attention and focus has seemed to improve, and his confidence is a lot better than it was.  He now plays soccer a long with doing karate which is something he could not do before, because of the lack of attention and confidence he had.  We had tried a few different therapies for him none of them seemed to work and we pulled him out.  Since being in the karate program I have seen much growth in him, and am very happy we chose White Dragan Martial Arts. 

The Harwoods

Dr. McCumber balances respect and discipline with fun and fitness while teaching the arts of Tae Kwon Do. My daughter has gained self-defense, skills, strength, respect and responsibility. We are so glad to belong the WDMA Family. 

Julee Wagner

 WDMA Student Parent Since our family has joined WDMA, we have all enjoyed watching the classes and helping the kids practice. I have two boys in the class. Although they are very close sometimes they get under each other’s skin and want to battle it out. So, what I do is I have them suit up in their pads for blocks and counters, and go to town in my front yard. It is a blast to watch and most times when they are done, they are laughing or commenting about each other’s moved, forgetting why they were fighting in the first place. The pads are very good at making this a healthy way to handle these issues. Dr. McCumber is very supportive and patient with my kids. This is no easy task as they are quite a handful, especially together. The boys really enjoy the class and we really enjoy watching them get better each day.

Jesse Thornton

Testing Happening Sept 23rd @ 10:oo am..  

We have 2 new families starting with us this week ...The Treade Family of 4 

And Our Newest Lil Dragon Marrisa R.

WHITE DRAGON MARTIAL ARTS FAQ

 ““Will martial arts make my kid violent?”

 Absolutely not! We don't teach kids how to kick and punch so they can go down the street and beat up the neighbor's kid.  Instead, we teach kids self-defense as a tool for personal growth and development.  Kids learn to treat others as they want to be treated. They learn to respect all living things – from their parents to pets.  Often, kids who were violent before they joined our class changed, and became non-violent. So no, martial arts won't make your child violent!

 “What if my child's not athletic? 

Will he have a hard time?” Often children who don't find success in team sports come to martial arts. And they love it.  That's because with martial arts you go at your own pace. See, team sports actually harm the self-esteem of children who aren't very athletic. When they don't perform well, the other kids can be pretty nasty. And this can leave some serious scars on their self-esteem.  But with martial arts, they can't let anyone down. Everyone goes at their own pace. Some kids learn quicker than others – but the children who advance quickly are not valued more than the kids who advance slowly.  Everyone is greatly encouraged – regardless of his or her athletic level.

        “Will my child learn a talent that they can be proud of?” 

Many children find pride in being able to do “cool” things like dancing, juggling, singing, playing an instrument, etc., etc., etc.  I've seen many kids enter talent shows, and show off their martial arts skills. The crowd is blown away every time!  There's simply something fascinating and exciting about watching martial arts. And your child will take great pride in his or her abilities.

““What age is appropriate for martial arts?” 

We have programs for kids who are 4 years old all the way to teenagers. And we even have programs for adults.  So to be honest – every age is appropriate. No child is too young or too old. We have a class that fits just right. 

  ““Will my child get hurt?”  

I've had children come to my program for years without ever obtaining a single injury.  This is actually the case with most children. 

**Have children gotten injured in my martial arts class? 

Yes, some have. But the injuries were no different than those which kids who play baseball and other sports get.  In the words of a parent I recently spoke with, “The instructors pay attention to detail when it comes to safety.”  From padded floors, to proper gear, to step-by- step instruction – we do everything in our power to insure your child's safety. I can't guarantee your child won't be injured – but I can tell you that almost no children receive injuries in my program.  And that's because we take your child's safety very seriously.?   

**Will my child have fun? Will he or she want to stick with the program? 

 When parents take their kids to appointments – normally the parent has to run around and do everything in their power to get their children to the appointment on time.  “Hurry up!” they shout, “We'll be late!” (How many times have you said this?)  But with martial arts, something fascinating happens… Often the children are the ones yelling these things! They don't want to be late, and they never want to miss a class.  In fact, I know of many parents who use martial arts as an incentive to get chores done. If the kids are good, do their chores, and do their homework – they get martial arts as a reward.  That's because your child will have a ton of fun. He'll be laughing and smiling throughout the entire class. And because He'll constantly be setting and reaching goals – He'll want to stick with the program.  It will become a part of his life as if it was always there. 

**Is martial arts just for boys? Or can my girl take martial arts too?”  

On this page I've said “he” a lot. But the truth is, there are just as many girls in many of our classes as there are boys.  Girls love martial arts just as much, and get the same fulfillment out of it as boys do.  Also, if I've learned anything in my years of teaching, its that girls are just as tough as boys. Many are even tougher!  So you don't have to worry about your little girl getting hurt, or feeling scared because she'll be practicing with boys. In fact, the boys may even be the ones who are scared.   Now, something worth mentioning...Like with anything, martial arts, is not for every child. 9 times out of 10 parents do find that martial arts, is the perfect fit for their children. But in the 1 situation out of 10 where it’s simply not a great fit…    

Story #1: "ADD Kid" Johnny could never sit still in class.  His teachers thought he was just a "wild kid". The other students would get distracted by him, and they'd have trouble focusing too. He was smart – as smart as they come – but he just couldn't sit still for the life of him. If only he could focus his energy into doing one thing at a time...  

Story #2: "Too Easy Going" It wasn't that Rebecca wasn't smart – she just never applied herself at anything. She was a bit "too" easy going. She didn't have anything that she was truly passionate about. As a result, her grades suffered. She could easily make As, but she just didn't pay attention. She needed something that would really stir her up – and awaken her potential...    

Story #3: "I asked you 10 times already!"  Rick never does anything the first time he's asked. Whether its homework, cleaning, taking the dog out – anything – it never gets done.  His parents spend countless hours, and tons of energy, just getting him to do simple things. As a result there's always tension in the house...  

And finally...  Story #4: "The Bully" Every school has a bully. They prey on smaller kids, and kids with low self-esteem. Jim was the second kind of kid. He was shy, and just didn't have much confidence. The bully at his school, Todd, always picked on him. Jim just took it. He never stood up for himself, because he didn't have the confidence to…    A Solution Even though Johnny, Rick, Jim, and Rebecca are fictional – their stories are based off of very real ones. In fact, I can't tell you how many times parents have come in and told me almost these exact stories. Word for word.  But after just a few weeks of martial arts, this is what happens…  Clear Focus - In martial arts, we have kids do one thing at a time. For younger kids, and kids with severe ADD, they may only do one thing for 30 seconds – but for that 30 seconds that's all they focus on.  Then, the better and better they get at focusing, the longer we have them focus for. Eventually, kids might focus the entire session on just one exercise or activity.  And they never get bored or antsy. Before you know it, they do this at home too. They focus on their homework… on their chores… on conversations with you… and anything else they put their mind to.  Determined to Succeed – From Day 1 in martial arts your child sets goals, and accomplishes them. The more and more he does this – the more ambitious he becomes.  Eventually he learns to set higher goals – and he learns to go after them with everything he's got.  He learns that fulfillment and respect are earned through completing challenges.  Because of this, kids who go through martial arts are much more likely to succeed later in life as well. A recent study showed that 63% of black belts become college graduates!  They then go on to live wonderful, fulfilling lives. And then they pass these principles onto their own children.  Finally Paying Attention – Parents of children with attention problems breathe sighs of relief after just a few short weeks.  That's because in martial arts – we teach kids to look people in the eyes when they're being spoken to. We teach them that this is how you show people you're listening, and paying attention.  After just a few short weeks, kids naturally begin doing this at home. And in school.  Parents and teachers often look at each other with wide-eyes when they reflect on the changes. They can't believe how much better their children pay attention.  Completing Tasks the First Time He's Asked – In martial arts, we have just a few simple rules. One of those rules is that when your child is asked to do something – he does it the first time.  We never yell at kids, or scold them, if they don't do this. But every kid does it because he sees the other kids in the class doing it too. And he wants to make friends and be a part of the group.  It's usually a matter of a couple weeks before kids start doing this at home, too. I can't tell you how many parents have thanked me profusely when it starts to happen.  For parents of children who have a hard time following directions – this is truly a blessing.  Self-Respect – When it comes to bullies, kids in martial arts don't back down. They have the confidence to look a bully in the eyes, and stand their ground.  This is what nearly always happens… The bully gets scared and backs down! It happens 9 times out of 10. And for the 1 time out of 10 the bully doesn't back down – your child has the tools to defend himself. And if necessary, he'll be able to get away, and seek out an authority figure.  Most confrontations can be talked through. Occasionally, however, words aren't enough. For either situation your child will be prepared.  No one will be able to hurt him, or take anything away from him.  Weight loss – It's easy these days for kids to not exercise. As a result, many children experience weight problems at a young age.  Martial Arts is an amazing form of exercise – Your child will be active the entire time. But there's no pressure on him to do anything he can't.    We'll encourage him or her to do their best – but this isn't boot camp or anything.  Most importantly, they will have a ton of fun. And if he or she happens to be overweight – martial arts will help them get down to a healthy weight. This reduces risk for many health problems that can occur now, and later on in life.  WHITE DRAGON MARTIAL ARTS classes also increases energy, alertness, and overall happiness. They will never feel better.   There are honestly countless other benefits kids get with martial arts. But rather than tell you about them myself – just listen to what these parents had to say… “A significant change, in only 2 short weeks…”  Gary has a bit of a temper, but I’ve already noticed the change. He's more respectful to me. And his teachers can't believe it! He calls them “ma'am” and “sir”. No other kid in his class shows their teachers this much respect.  It really makes me feel great, and I feel like I've done a great thing for myself and my child by enrolling him in this martial arts class.  - Alice Thompson (Gary's Mom)     “She just can't wait for 'martial arts days'…”  At first I wasn't sure if Ashley would like the program. After all, she's only 6, so she never really sticks to anything.  Boy was I wrong! She gets extremely upset if we ever have to miss a class now. And I can tell she's more focused, more attentive, and just all around happier after starting this program.  - Cynthia Snyder (Ashley's Mom)  “The bully backed down.” When Brian got off the bus today, and got in the car, he couldn't stop talking about how he stood up to this bully who had been picking on him for weeks! He said the bully backed down, and everyone saw it! I got so choked up that he looked at me and asked me why I was crying.  I just told him I was so proud of him.  Thank you, - Bill Gray (Brian's Dad)     “Unbelievable! He did his homework the first time I asked!”  Hey, I just wanted to tell you that Michael did his homework today the first time I asked him! I'm still in shock! I know it's because of what he learned in class.  You have put together an incredible program. Thank you so much.  Sincerely, - Marsha Humphrey (Michael'