Spring 2025 Self-Defense Workshop

April 26th, 2025

The Spring 2025 Self-Defense Workshop was held on April 26th, 2025 at the Tarrytown, NY Hong Ik Martial Arts headquarters. The event was hosted by Grandmaster Yoo, Master Shine from Fair Lawn, NJ, and Master Joe from Mahwah, NJ. The event was divided into 2 groups. Group 1 was all Level 1 participants while Group 2 was comprised of Level 2, 3 and 4 participants.

Students from multiple HIMA locations, including our Brewster martial arts location, participated in this hands-on self-defense training.

Group 1 –

• Warmup led by assisting SUSA – Useful for loosening joints before practicing Self-Defense 
• Striking defense – Grandmaster Yoo taught how to defend against a common punch. Kihaping is encouraged to express confidence and win before needing to strike. 
• Wrist grip defense 
  • 1 – Standard escape using thin part of wrist 
  • 2 – Add elbow strike 
  • 3 – Used to break the balance 
  • 4 – Adding elbow strike 
  • 5 – Break the thumb grip 
  • 6 – Add ear strike 
• Flying side kick 

Group 2 –

• Warmup led by Master Jorge – Loosen joints and warmup the body 
• Striking defense – Grandmaster Yoo taught how to defend against common strikes. Importance of Kihapping and moving with confidence to win before needing to fight. 
• Divided groups 
  • Level 2 – Master Shine 
    • Fundamental Techniques 
      • Fan #1 – Defense on the wrist 
      • Fan #2 – Defense on the elbow 
    • New attacks 
      • Opposite wrist grip 
        • Choke defense 
        • Elbow lock takedown 
  • Level 3 – Master Shin Min 
    • Fundamental Techniques 
      • Snake #1 – Defense on the wrist 
      • Snake #2 – Defense on the elbow 
    • New attacks 
      • Rear bear hug defense 
      • 2 handed shoulder defense 
  • Level 4 – Master JiSun (Joe) 
    • Fundamental Techniques 
      • Fan – 2 handed wrist grip 
      • Snake – 2 handed wrist grip 
    • New attack 
      • Headlock defense 
        • How to take down 
        • Arm lock on the ground 
• Regroup and flying side kick! 

The Self-Defense workshop finished off with Grandmaster Yoo explaining the importance of continued practice in between each workshop. Students were awarded their certificates and will be invited to the next level in the next Self-Defense workshop! Good job all participants!

Families in Putnam County and nearby Danbury interested in learning practical self-defense skills can learn more about our Taekwondo and martial arts classes at our Brewster school.

– written by: JiSun HyunSa (Master Joseph Lipman)