New Jersey, Lakewood - Walk MS 2013: Mr. Brian McCann - National MS Society

New Jersey, Lakewood - Walk MS 2013: Mr. Brian McCann - National MS Society

Little Kidos for 4 year olds!!!

New Classes for 4 year olds....."Little Kidos"!!

We are excited to introduce our newest program for "kids ages 4 to 5"...Little Kidos (Key-dos).

Classes are 30 action packed minutes focused on basic martial art skill development.

 Along with having a lot of fun, your child will improve there balance and learn how to focus. The goal of our "Little Kidos" program is to have your kids learn the basic skills required to move into our Jr. Martial art program.

Check out our schedule @http://www.selfdefense-newjersey.com/ or feel free do drop in

at Master McCann's Self Defense Academy 2211 Rt. 9 north (Regal Plaza) Howell NJ 07731

for more information. 

"Kids Karate"classes for "4 year olds"in "Jackson""Howell""Farmingdale""Freehold" and surrounding areas.

New Schedule starts 3/11/2013!!

New Schedule starts 3/11/2013!!

We have added  additional Adult "Hapkido" and "Kuhapdo" classes!

We have added two "Little Kido's"  classes for "4 to 5 year olds"!!

Master McCann's Self Defense Academy

2211 Rt. 9 North (Regal Plaza)

Howell, NJ 07731

732.886.5556

SDA-NJ.com

"Hapkido""Karate" classes for "Adults" and "Kids""Howell", "Freehold","Jackson","Brick","Farmingdale"

New iPhone app

New iPhone app

Download our new iPhone app for FREE in iTunes!!

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Keep up to date on school news, schedule and more!!

Coming soon....SDA's Android app!!

No Substitute for Hard Work

No Substitute for Hard Work

I began my martial arts training in 1990 as a teen. Over the past 23 years (twelve teaching) I’ve seen a lot of students step on the mat egger to learn Hapkido. Some of them are natural athletes, while most are not. In fact most adults who start a martial program like the one we teach here at Self Defense Academy are somewhere in the middle. Some students pick up things fast, others take a little bit longer, and that’s okay. The great thing about Hapkido is the only person you’re competing with is yourself. There are no tournaments or competitions of any kind. Students learn various self-defense moves for each belt (or level) of their training. They practice them and drill them constantly until they become second nature. There is a big difference in just knowing a set of movements and drilling them until you can react without thinking. Simply put, there is no substitute for hard work on the mat. Now that doesn’t mean you have to hurt your training partner, but it does mean you have to do the full movement with a finishing lock or strike at the end. God forbid you ever have to defend yourself in a real life and death situation; you will fight as you train. The following quote is taken from Grand Master Lim, Hyun-Soo’s book Orthodox Hapkido :

“Training with perseverance and endurance over a long period of time is the start of acquiring advanced Hapkido skills; this requires a consistent and diligent training”

This quote is hung proudly at our Howell, New Jersey Dojang located at 2211 Rt.9 north(Regal Plaza) Howell,NJ 07731.

Why Study the Sword in 2013?

Why Study the Sword in 2013?

Why study a traditional sword art, like Kuhapdo in 2013. You can’t walk around with a sword in modern times. What a great question! And there are more than a few answers. First, what is Kuhapdo? and what relation does it have to our main art taught at Self Defense Academy, in Howell NJ….Hapkido?

Kuhapdo is a sword art. The word “Kuhapdo” is the Korean word for the Japanese sword art “Iaido”; the sword art of the samurai. In its simplest form; Kuhapdo is an art where one will draw the sword from a sheathed position, perform a cut or series of cuts, then re-sheath the sword back to starting position. Of course the mechanics, physical strength, speed and mental focus to accomplish this are the specific areas one trains in.
Chung Suk Kuhapdo was founded by Korea’s top swordsman- 9th Dan Grandmaster Lim Hyun Soo of the Jungki Kwan, Daegu City South Korea.

Okay….but can Kuhapdo help your Hapkido get better? Yes it can! My personal experience studying the sword has improved my Hapkido technique both physically and mentally. My ‘Ki Yap’ or energy yell has greatly inproved and my foot work is better as well. Last year at a Kuhapdo Seminar in the United States Grand-master Lim said something very interesting, “Kuhapdo is the high level of Hapkido, and Hapkido is the high level of Kuhapdo.” Wow, that’s deep. I believe in the power of learning the sword so much that I made it a requirement for my adult students who are testing for their Black belt in Hapkido to learn the Kuhapdo basics.

What can one learn from Kuhapdo?

You reach a stage of being free of all thoughts.
You always make right decisions in a daily life.
You keep a dignity and calmness even in a dangerous situation, you become confident.
You get acquainted with the sword and get to understand the sword. You do net learn the way of the killing with the sword. You use the sword for protection only.
You get a truthful and caring attitude toward other people by learning to be courteous.
You don't need a practice partner. It is easy for all ages and sexes to learn.

Kuhapdo is also great for anyone who wants an awesome physical and cardio work out. Swinging a heavy wood sword around for an hour can burn some serious calories!!



Master McCann

Bully Proof Kids

Bully Proof Kids

There is a lot of talk nowadays about bullying. Even here on this website we stress the anti-bullying or bully stopping power of hapkido, but what does all that mean? Really. What is the practicality of hapkido and your son or  daughter being "bully aware", "bully proof", "bully ready" or any of those other terms you see (or hear) depending on what martial arts website you log onto?

Being a victim of a bully is one of the most damaging things that can happen in a young person's life. Here at Self Defense Academy, we believe that there is more to being safe from bullies that cute catch phrases and fancy named programs. 

In the first place, our martial art is a practical self defense program that if, God forbid, your child was physically assaulted they would be able to respond to that aggression correctly and be able to defend themselves. 

We all know, however, that bullying isn't really about physical aggression. The physical attack  is more of symptom to an illness. We want to prevent all the different forms that bullying can take; physical, verbal, emotional, not to mention Facebook and internet attacks (an issue for a whole other blog). 

At Self Defense Academy we want to address bullying from the inside out. Studying hapkido builds confidence. It builds self-esteem. It builds physical control and awareness. It builds patience. Our students learn how to interact with each other as they practice the techniques together; learning what can hurt someone and what can't and how to act when it does! 

When children believe in themselves and have a good support structure, no bully in the world can touch them. At Self Defense Academy we build good, confident kids. Not only because they can defend themselves (although that is certainly our core purpose) but because they believe in themselves. When a child can walk tall, can look people in the eye, shake hands, say "yes sir" or "no sir" with confidence and know in their heart that they are special and important...Well... that is Bully Proof.

Look for our special Bully Seminar coming in the early spring! Open to Kids from "Howell","Jackson",Freehold" and surrounding areas. 

Jackson Police Explorers

Jackson Police Explorers 

Master McCann has been teaching Hapkido defensive Tactics to various Law enforcement personnel in Ocean and Monmouth counties since 2001 ,and established Self Defense Academy located in Howell, NJ in 2005.


   

Can Martial Arts help my Child in school?

Can Martial Arts help my Child in school?

There have been many studies that show training in the martial arts is great for kids. At Self Defense Academy we teach a Korean martial art called “Hapkido”. Our curriculum is not only designed to promote physical fitness but also builds a positive outlook, a high self-esteem, and a secure confidence. But can a martial art like Hapkido actually help your child in school? I started thinking about this last week as I sat watching one of my students being inducted into the National Honor Society at Howell High School. Casey Started classes with me about 7 years ago and tested for her Black Belt in Hapkido last year. Over the last few years I have watched her excel both on and off the mat. Every marking period I have the kids bring in their report cards and give a medal to the students who are on the honor roll. An emphasis on academics should be just as important as the physical movements of the art. Martial Arts teach a child “discipline” which is hard to find these days. This discipline of coming to class a few times a week, learning new things, repeating moves already mastered and striving to push yourself to be the best that you can.... translates easily to school work, studying, and general life.  Awesome job Casey, it was an honor for me to have been part of the ceremony.

Master McCann

New Black Belts!!

New Black Belts!!

Back row(L-R) Carl Larson, Master Michael D'Aloia,Master Brian McCann,Craig Wierzbicki, Jason Bobo,David Staples. Front Ahmed Awadallah, Bryan Stillwell.

Congratulations To Ahmed Awadallah & Bryan Stillwell on receiving their

1st Dan Black belts in Junki Hapkido. They tested in front of a packed house at our new location- 2211 Rt. 9 North (Regal Plaza) Howell, NJ. Ahmed and Bryan demonstrated proficiency in the original Hapkido techniques that have been passed down from founder Choi, Yong Sul to Grand master Lim, Hyun-Su.

Ahmed and Bryan are SDA Black belts #15 & #16. Master McCann has been teaching Hapkido in Ocean and Monmouth counties for over ten years and established 'Self Defense Academy' in 2005.

Ahmed Awadallah(15)- First Dan Junki Hapkido 1/26/13

Bryan Stillwell(16)-First Dan Junki Hapkido 1/26/13

Who are your main martial arts influences?

Who are your main martial arts influences?

If you’re like me, you spent your Saturday mornings growing up in the 80’s watching “Kung FU Theater” on the USA Network. I can remember sliding the dial on the cable box as soon as the cartoons were over! Watching all the martial arts movies with English dubbed over the voices of the Hong Kong actors was the highlight of my weekend. Nothing would compare to Bruce Lee…his movies were light years ahead of the others. Not only were the movies better but his fighting style seemed way better-even though I knew nothing about “Jeet Kune Do” at the time. Bruce Lee was my first influence.

Next up….”The Karate Kid”. Who can remember doing a Crain Kick when watching the movie on HBO?( It seemed to be replayed ten times a day) I think I broke a vase or two in the house (Sorry Mom). Sweep the leg Johnny! The Cobra Kai, and Mr. Miagi…such a great movie that talked about the real benefits of the martial arts… like discipline, dedication, and being focused.

Then in the late 80’s an actor with a completely different kind of martial art grabbed my attention….Steven Seagal. What was this? He seemed to throw people with no effort. He would break joints and strike from close quarters. What was this art? Japanese Aikido. I would later find out that Seagal’s Aikido was much rougher than traditional main stream Aikido. In fact, it seemed more like Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujistu . Regardless, Seagal was a huge influence and prompted me to seek out a Hapkido Dojang that I found in the Yellow pages. Taking the first steps into a martial arts school is always a hard thing to do, everyone feels a little nervous. I’m glad that I did!

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How long does it take to get a Black Belt in Hapkido?

How long does it take to get a Black Belt in Hapkido?

I’m often asked by new students, “How long does it take to get a Black Belt in Hapkido?” And that is a great question. A better question is “What does it take to earn or become a black belt?” First, it takes a lot of discipline and dedication. You must train on a regular basis (at least twice a week). It’s easy at times, especially for adults to let life get in the way. You have to push yourself to get to class on the days when you may be feeling lazy, or just too busy. I have been teaching Hapkido in Howell (Monmouth County, NJ) for over eight years. I heard several students tell me that they were tired and was going to stay home and miss class- but always say after class, they feel great and were glade that they pushed themselves to come. Check out this Photo that shows a log of attendance that one of my students kept in his note book leading up to his black belt test. That is what it takes to become a Black belt in Hapkido. Once you show up, the rest is easy. Oh Yeah….It took him four years of hard dedicated training.

Just Remember...."Every Black belt, started as a white belt!"

-Master McCann

We Moved!!

We Moved !!

Last week Master McCann's Self Defense Academy moved to Regal plaza located on Rt.9 in Howell, New Jersey. We hope this location will be much better for our students and family members as it has better parking and lighting. Our new location (2211 Rt.9 North , Howell NJ) is just 2 miles north of our old spot. Students from Howell and Freehold will be able to avoid a lot of the Rt. 195/9 southbound traffic at rush hour.



Master McCann has been teaching Hapkido in Monmouth and Ocean counties for over eight years. We offer martial arts classes for both adults and children.

Our new location provides a great environment for students to learn. We have also added  two extra morning classes for our adult students to attend.

Come visit Our new location at Regal Plaza and start your Hapkido training today!



If These Mats Could Talk

If These Mats Could Talk

 The past month while I was in the process of moving my school to it's new location, I started to think about the history of the mats that are located at the school. During the last eight years teaching Hapkido in Howell,NJ we have had several high ranking Grand Masters teach on our mats!! Shortly after we opened in 2005 we hosted the controversial Grand Master John Pellegrini, 9th Dan founder of Combat Hapkido. In 2007, 9th Dan Grand Master Moo Yong Kang spent an incredible weekend teaching on these mats. GM. Kang is one of the first Koreans to bring Hapkido to the United States. WOW!! An original Hapkido pioneer taught on these mats! We also have had the pleasure of hosting 7th Dan Grand Masters Frank Nougerra and Michael D'Aloia several times on these mats. The most memorable moment was when we had Grand Master Lim, Hyun-Su -the longest student of Hapkido founder Choi Yong Sul stepped foot and taught a seminar on our mats during his 2010 tour of the United States.

Master McCann