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Welcome to our website!
Our instructors come from all walks of life and have extensive teaching experience. |
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Dennis Ruel | Chief Instructor and Owner
Dennis Ruel was born and raised in San Francisco and has been teaching Hapkido full-time to all ages since 1998, including after-school martial arts programs at K-8 schools in San Francisco. Dennis also participated in various open style tournaments including an Olympic Taekwondo Tournament in which he took first place. Dennis is actively pursuing a career in the film industry as both an actor and a martial arts stuntman. He is also an independent film-maker who frequently collaborates with local martial artists from various styles and disciplines. Click here to view Dennis' action demo "Dennis has the unique ability to present the complexities of Martial Arts in a way that helps kids develop control of their own bodies and helps them achieve a high level of self confidence. He expects and receives discipline with a calm, warm attitude and doesn't resort to macho representations of strength. Boys and girls relate to him immediately." -M. Degliantoni (Parent) |
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Troy Carbonel | Instructor
Troy Carbonel has been training in Hapkido since 1992. He has several years of experience in Wrestling, Escrima and Okinawan Karate. He has competed in various tournaments including a full contact Kyokushin Karate tournament and Mixed Martial Arts. |
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Ray Carbonel | Instructor
Ray Carbonel has been training in Hapkido since 1992 along with his brother Troy. Ray also has several years of experience in Wrestling and Escrima. He has also participated in various tournaments including an Olympic Taekwondo tournament in which he took first place. |
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Robert Leung | Assistant Instructor
Robert Leung assists both Kids and Adults classes on occasion. He began training in Hapkido along with Dennis, Ray and Troy but put his training on hold while attending UC Riverside. After graduating, Rob returned to Bay Area and is currently working as a Human Resources Assistant at the Office of the Circuit Executive. |
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Steven Menasche | Guest Instructor
Steve is an actor, musician and martial artist with many years of teaching experience. His Hapkido experience is certified by both The International Hapkido Federation and The Global Hapkido Federation (http://www.globalhapkido.org/). Steve is also certified by Professor Willy Cahill in Kodenkan Danzan Ryu Jujitsu (http://www.dawave.com). He has studied Aikido, Judo, Boxing and a variety of other movement arts and is a survivor of 28 years on New York subways and continues to enhance his training daily. Steve attended Brooklyn College (Conservatory of Music) where he completed the music program majoring in Percussion with a minor in Theater. He continues to occasionally perform with Jazz bands as a drummer and in national and regional commercials and industrials as an actor. |
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Our Environment
Our studio environment has been designed to impart a sense of calm, relaxation and well-being. The Hapkido Institute promotes a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere. |
We Aim to Benefit the Community
We teach a diverse family of martial artists from all walks of life. We promote the social, emotional, physical and mental skills necessary to avoid most confrontations. Because some confrontations cannot be avoided, our students learn necessary self defense in order to respond accordingly. |
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Our Philosophy
The Hapkido Institute is a community-based martial art academy organized under the guiding philosophy that all people, regardless of race, sex, age or gender are entitled to the benefits intrinsic to the study of martial arts. We believe students learn most effectively by training in a noncompetitive, supportive environment where the purpose is the achievement of personal health, self-protection, physical fitness, and emotional and spiritual maturity. Beyond the practice of physical skills, as teachers and students we are committed to living socially responsible lives, encouraging the martial arts traditions of honor, loyalty, family and bravery. As such, our school creed reflects our highest goals:
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Benefits of joining our school
Social Our school offers a sense of community. Students and teachers treat each other as extended family. Our martial art community works together to expand the potential of our training and provide the community at large with well-rounded healthy participants. Health No one can deny the obvious health benefits of the martial arts. Participants may expect improvements in strength, tone, endurance and balance. "There will always be someone stronger, faster, bigger, smarter and younger, but there will never be anyone with more potential than you in avoiding confrontation. Thus, develop your biggest muscle first, your heart. Then develop composure, patience and compassion, learning to accept and forgive all. It's easy to fight, but dealing calmly with frustration takes true strength. Remember, even the lion can be guided and tamed by tender hands." - Steven Menasche |
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Elements of Hapkido
At The Hapkido Institute, we teach the International Hapkido Federation style of Hapkido as founded by the late Grand Master Jae Nam Myong. Our Hapkido style is unique in its emphasis on circular blending with an opponent's energy using the principles of non-resistance in order to debilitate the strength of the opponent. Hapkido is primarily a defensive combative art which blends elements from other styles without losing its uniqueness. It has been said that a martial art can only be considered complete if it contains four elements. Our curriculum proudly contains all four:
Additionally, we integrate Kodenkan Danzan Ryu Jujitsu and Olympic style Judo as taught by our teacher, Professor and Coach Willy Cahill. This combination of Hapkido and Judo, we believe, is unique. |
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Hapkido's Connection to other Martial Arts
Aikido In Aikido, one is taught to defend against very committed attacks. These attacks are received with minimal resistance, as they're guided past the target and countered. The idea is to unbalance and throw opponents using their own energy against themselves. Hapkido includes various joint locks and energy throws based on aikido movements and principles. Jujitsu Many of the joint locks and throws of Hapkido are very similar to those of Jujitsu. These techniques can be applied on an opponent during stand-up defense as well as on the ground. Judo Judo focuses on throws, takedowns, various submissions and pins. Many Hapkido curriculums around the world include Judo throws and techniques. Taekwondo TKD is known for its focus and proficiency in kicking. Although some Hapkido kicks are performed differently than TKD kicks, Hapkido students practice many of the same kicking techniques as Tae Kwon Do. Boxing Boxing punches provide a great foundation for all hand techniques. Students of The Hapkido Institute will learn and be expected to perform proper boxing techniques & movement. Because Hapkido includes kicks, punches, joint manipulations and throws, our students become well-rounded martial artists with an understanding of how to defend one's self in a way that best suits their body type and ability. Want more info on Hapkido and its roots? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hapkido |
We are proud members of the following prestigious organizations. Click logos below for more information.
