About
A bit about the styles and our schoolsOur Roots
The American Dragon Martial Arts Academies is the U.S. Branch of the Dragon Martial Arts Academy school founded in Korea in 1955 and has grown into the largest group of licensed and insured martial arts schools in the United States. We currently have over 200 instructors nation-wide and over 10,000 active students, all being taught by our trained and certified Black Belt instructors.
Our Affiliations
Our schools are members of the U.S. National Taekwondo Association, the country’s largest Taekwondo Education organization. American Dragon Martial Arts Academies are also directly affiliated with the world headquarters in Korea and the Korea Hapkido Federation HaeMuKwan, Korea’s official sanctioning body for the martial art of HaeMuKwan Hapkido!
Our Founder
Grand Master Richard Hackworth, who is one of the most respected martial artists in the world, has built a martial arts education company that is the Harvard of the Martial Arts field. He is an 11 times Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee, the International Director for the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association, and founder of HaeMuKwan Hapkido, the world’s most scientifically advanced self-defense system.
The Traditional Korean Martial Arts of Taekwondo and Hapkido
Taekwondo is the ancient Korean military art of self defense, and is recognized as a more effective martial art than Aikido, Judo or Karate because it uses both the hand and foot techniques in combination and is easier to learn. Over many years it has had several name changes and has evolved in form. From Soobakdo, to the inclusion of techniques from Karate as portrayed in the movie “Karate Kid”, to its most modern version used by the Korean military since 1955.
At the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies we teach the military art self-defense form of TaeKwonDo as created by the modern day founders of TaeKwonDo in the 1940s and 1950s. The American Dragon Martial Arts Academies locations are members of the U.S. National TaeKwonDo Association.
The Nature of TaeKwonDo
TaeKwonDo is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean martial arts, which teaches more than just physical fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and life through training our bodies and our minds.
TaeKwonDo literally means the “way of kicking and punching,” and teaches the practitioner techniques for defense and offense. It consists of sharp, strong, angular movements with free flowing circular movements to produce a balance of beauty and power and is a complete system of self-defense and personal improvement. All of its activities are based on the defense attitude that was originally developed for protection against enemy attacks.
The most important fact about TaeKwonDo is that it is not only a superior art of self-defense but of the mind as well. It gives its practitioners self-confidence that provides an advantage over weak opponents. This mental characteristic along with the physical ability is beneficial to the mental life of individuals as well as to their families and friends.
Why TaeKwonDo?
With its practical means of self-defense, its complete regimen of physical conditioning, and its ability to improve concentration and mental performance, TaeKwonDo offers a total fitness program integrating mind, body, and spirit.
We offer TaeKwonDo training in a Fun, Safe, Family atmosphere for students of all ages. While some organization concentrate of teaching a sport form of TaeKwonDo to send a few elite athletes to the Olympics every four years, we offer a classical form of TaeKwonDo training and believe that everyone of any age can benefit from TaeKwonDo.
A Little History
The history of Taekwondo dates back over 2000 years ago when it was first used by Koreans to defend their country against invaders. Since then Taekwondo has evolved into something more than self defense, exercise, or even a sport. Because it is a philosophy of self improvement, self control, and respect for others, it has become a dynamic way of life.
Taekwond has grown in popularity in the United States since the 1960′s, when American G.I.s brought it back from Korea. It has also become so popular that it is practiced in 116 countries, and the sport form even became an Olympic event in 1988.
Hapkido, is Korea’s dynamic self defense art. Our Hapkido instructors are a few of the only licensed instructors in this country. If self defense is one of your reasons for joining, then Hapkido is a great choice. Non-lethal personal protection for yourself and loved ones is one of the primary reasons adults across America have started training in Hapkido.
The system of martial arts taught at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies is the result of many years of study and experience. I am very proud of my schools and my staff. They are among the most qualified, skilled, and hard working martial arts teachers in the world.
I are certain that you will find martial arts to be tremendously rewarding. It will provide you or your family with greater self confidence, increased self discipline, and improved physical health, if you are willing to give the time, effort, and dedication necessary.
Although at times it can be challenging, all of our Masters are here to help you with your commitment to excellence and to offer our knowledge to assist you. We are confident that your involvement in martial arts and your selection of our school will be a wise decision with life long rewards.