As one of the oldest martial arts and self-defense schools in Luzerne County (founded in 1984), our traditional martial arts curriculum is a compilation of three different Korean Grandmasters’ knowledge blended together by the school’s owner, Master Vince Sperduto. Master Vince holds the rank of 8th Dan and is himself a Grandmaster. He has taught thousands of men, women and children for over four decades in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Master Vince is one of the highest ranked Hapkido masters in North America.
The vision of HTKDI is simple: “To empower all men, women and children with the mindset, skills and knowledge to protect themselves from those who would seek to do them harm.”
The mission of HTKDI is two-fold.
First, we provide those who are interested in traditional martial arts training with the ability to follow the traditional path with belt-style certifications at each level of progress (white belt through 4th degree black belt) through the North American Hapkido TaeKwonDo Federation (http://nahtf.com). Each level has certain requirements of proficiency which must be demonstrated before advancing to the next level. These include hand techniques, kicking techniques, self-defense techniques, sparring, hapkido techniques and a form (kata) that students are tested on before advancing.
There are numerous benefits to traditional martial arts training including the obvious physical fitness gained included increased strength and flexibility gained from training. However, there are many other benefits to traditional training including reducing stress, building confidence, increasing self-discipline, gaining fortitude, improving focus, developing courage, and learning greater respect for the martial arts, oneself and others. Learning how to breathe properly and develop internal energy are additional benefits to traditional training.
Second, we provide a variety of self-defense programs, workshops, seminars and speaking engagements that empower attendees with the specific mindset, skills and knowledge to survive a variety of threats to their personal safety including workplace violence, active shooters, sexual assault, home invasion, and other scenarios.
Master Pete Canavan is the Senior Master Instructor at the Hapkido TaeKwonDo Institute and holds the rank of 5th Dan in Hapkido and 5th Dan in TaeKwonDo. He is proficient with many weapons including the Monadnock (expandable baton), Tonfa (PR-24 control baton), Escrima (short sticks), Karambit (knife), Cane, Staff, Sai, Nunchaku, Three-Section Staff, Steel Fan, Kumdo (sword), Butterfly Swords, Kama (sickle), shuriken (throwing stars) and throwing knives/spikes.
He is also an Act 235 Lethal Weapons Certified Agent by the Pennsylvania State Police. Master Pete has extensive experience with handguns, rifles and shotguns and has been a CCW (concealed carry weapon) holder for over 25 years. He has fired thousands of rounds while training and maintaining his firearms proficiency. He is also a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder and a Certified Firearms Appraiser from the American Gunsmithing Institute. In addition, he is First Aid, CPR and AED certified. Master Pete is also available for seminars, workshops, speaking engagements, and firearms instruction. He is an author with multiple books on self-defense and safety to his credit, and hosts the weekly Safety Talk radio show and podcast. You can learn more about Master Pete at http://MasterPete.com.
