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

New Fall 2012 schedule

Kids in Action

These awesome pictures were shot by SDA parent Kathy Nolan. Love the black and white!!

Kuhapdo (sword class)

Our new Kuhapdo class is on Tuesday nights @ 7:15pm.