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Hapkido has not only taught me many invaluable skills in self defense, but also in every aspect of my life: it teaches you how to protect yourself, and also how to become a stronger person, physically and emotionally. I know Hapkido has greatly influenced how I view and carry myself, my respect for and understanding of others, and my focus, will and self-discipline, all things that teenagers, especially, struggle with. When I enter the Dojang, I feel a part of an amazing community where help and respect is given by and to everyone. For kids and teens, Hapkido is a fantastic source of guidance, exercise and fun while teaching incredibly useful martial arts and life skills. |
On a basic level, Hapkido keeps my children and me in great physical shape, yet our training lifts us beyond the physical where we apply the ideals of the dojang to all aspects of our lives; from my children's academic studies and how they treat others, to my career as a photographer. Hapkido, and our dojang in particular, stresses that true strength comes from the development and nurturing of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of ourselves and as a father and as a Hapkido practitioner, I feel a solid foundation is being laid that will serve my children and me well for the rest of our lives. |
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Martial Arts made a serious impact on my life. It has given me qualities that I wouldn't be able to achieve without it. Martial Arts has given me discipline, focus, awareness, and determination. I have just started high school, as a freshman, and these qualities help me to succeed and move on in life. There is always something to learn in martial arts, which shows that there is always something to learn. If you are thinking about joining this martial arts school, you are assured to gain a more successful life. |
Sports has always been a big part of my life growing up. But I had only participated in group sports, and it often terrified me to "perform" solo, not trusting myself as much as I did the team dynamic. When I moved to New York, I became the usual gym rat everyone does, trying to find a way to stay in shape while acclimating to the city life. As a gift one year, I received a month worth's of training from WMAC, and although it took me 2 weeks to muster the courage to walk in and try it, that proved to be a life changing decision. It has not only been a blessing in physically improving my stamina, muscle tone, and flexibility, but also instilled in me a confidence I carry into my professional and personal life. It forces me to stand alone at times and be judged on my own merits and yet the school maintains a fantastic family sense about it, and as a team we all push each other to learn more, train harder, and improve day by day. |
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Hapkido has changed my life greatly. I used to be uncaring and selfish. However, because of Hapkido, I learned not only self defense but to care for others. Without this program my life would be very different. I enjoy this program very much. |
Hapkido has made feel ageless and full of energy, and opened my mind to what I can do, physically and otherwise, in a really joyful way. I couldn't ask for more from the World Martial Arts Center. It's a welcoming and supportive school for everyone, both men and women, to discover their full potential. |
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My experience with the World Martial Arts Center: a beautiful challenge, in a beautiful school, with a rare master, who allies the best qualities of the art to those of the heart. What I prize infinitely is the calm, the tranquillity, the strong "center" the school has given me. In a world full of turbulence, conflicts and contradictions, that is an extremely precious gift. As I progressed I realize more and more that the ultimate purpose, the only true purpose is PEACE. |
I grew up being the wimpy kid who always failed gym class, but thanks to 3 years of Hapkido training, I am now in the best shape of my life and can actually do push-ups! I am now confident walking through the streets of New York, armed with my knowledge of self-defense skills. No matter how tired or stressed I am upon walking into the dojang, I always leave class feeling recharged, refreshed and renewed. On top of all this, I have made lots of wonderful new friends who come from all walks of life. Joining the World Martial Arts Center was one of the best decisions I have ever made. |
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Training at WMAC has been an extremely rewarding and fun experience that has changed my life. I had the passion for learning martial arts since I was a little girl but I didn't get the opportunity to until about a year and a half ago. I started out having no background of doing any sort of martial arts nor knowing anyone at the dojang, however everyone at the school including the students, instructors, and the master are all very welcoming. WMAC has grown to be a second home to me and its members a part of my extended family. |
Hapkido has made me more humble and respectful and has enabled me to help other people. |
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I joined the World Martial Arts Center in January 2006 as a New Year's resolution. At the time I was working as a corporate lawyer and I decided that I needed to get back in shape and find a hobby that I enjoyed to de-stress. Martial arts training, which combines cardio, strength, flexibility, coordination and balance was an obvious choice for me. I chose Hapkido because I wanted to learn a diverse and practical martial art that covered a broad enough curriculum to keep my training new and exciting. Hapkido includes much of the striking I knew from studying Tae Kwon Do years earlier, as well as joint locks/manipulations, throws, chokes, falling techniques, ground fighting techniques and a wide variety of weapons. When I was looking at schools I was advised to look at the quality of the blackbelts to determine the quality of the instruction. The first time I visited the World Martial Arts Center I was blown away and signed up that day. The school blends traditional martial arts instruction with highly practical real world self-defense in a way that is unique amongst schools I've seen. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the World Martial Arts Center and in the three years since I joined have developed as a martial artist far beyond my expectations. I became a blackbelt last summer and now teach a class every week. |
Growing up in an environment where danger of being mugged and attacked was always present, learning martial arts for me initially was about learning how to protect myself. I later realized that having physical skills are only tools that are useless unless one has mental strength to not be overwhelmed by emotions and spiritual awareness necessary to take the right action at the right time. So I started looking for a school that addresses not only the physical aspect of martial arts but also mental and spiritual ones as well. As soon as I walked into WMAC I knew I came to the right place as I was engulfed by a calming environment and greeted by a friendly staff. While watching my first class I observed the instructor who was highly skilled and projected not only confidence and power, but also calmness and patience addressing needs of students with varying skill levels. After joining the school I learned solid self defense techniques and made friends with a diverse group of people I would have never gotten a chance to meet if it weren’t for WMAC which fosters personal character development as well as cooperation, support and mutual respect among students. |
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When I decided I wanted to train in a martial art, I was looking for something that would allow me the time and space to focus on my own internal development, something that I felt I had let fall to the bottom of the pile of priorities because of an extremely busy work schedule. Throughout my life, I had always participated in team sports and activities and I greatly missed the personal growth that comes from working in a group towards a common goal. When I found the WMAC, I immediately realized it fostered the very environment for which I had been searching for some time. Walking around the dojang, you can see students learning, teaching, laughing, and working together. Students not only train together, but they grow together and challenge each other to exceed their potential. Since the moment that I walked into the dojang to take my first class, I have received encouragement and guidance from students and teachers of all levels. Each has contributed to my growth in one way or another and I am a better person and martial artist for it. |
I joined World Martial Arts Center with the hopes of challenging myself to try something I never imagined I could do. I was in my late 20’s and a pacifist that never believed in learning any forms of violence, my body was extremely inflexible and clumsy and I hadn’t participated or done any sports in almost a decade. My first couple of classes I was embarrassed at how low my kicks were and my endurance compared to not just the rest of the class but the other white belts, but what kept me there were helpful classmates and extremely encouraging instructors. It took just a short time for me to see the diverse and holistic approach of Martial Arts that Hapkido at the WMAC provided. The philosophy of the school combines the physical, mental, and spiritual sides of martial arts which make the skills developed transferrable to the rest of my life. Since joining I have seen expected developments and growth in my strength, flexibility, self defense, confidence and endurance as well as unexpected developments and growth in my emotions, focus, nutrition, stature, intelligence and meditation. |
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Kaela, 15, high school student
Ken, 45, photographer
Romare, 14, high school student
Kimberly, 30, IT analyst
Frankie, 14, high school student
Ellen,57, book publishing professional
Jean Francois, 69, filmmaker
Eda, 36, pediatrician
Mary, 18, college student
Robert, 35, NYC city employee
Rich, 30, lawyer/investment professional
Dmitriy, 31, investment professional
Maria, 30, attorney
Pavan, 30, finance