The Hapkido TaeKwonDo Institute - Martial Arts & Fitness for All Ages!

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About Our School

Welcome to The Hapkido TaeKwonDo Institute's website! We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and your family.

Our martial arts instructors are standing by to assist you and answer any questions you may have about our school or our instruction. The Hapkido TaeKwonDo Institute (HTKDI) is located in Kingston, Pennsylvania and recently moved into a new facility to provide plenty of training space for each class and plenty of free off-street parking.

HTDKI offers elementary and teen-aged programs, adult and family martial arts classes, seminars, workshops, consulting services and private instruction (on a limited basis).

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 of two different Korean Martial Arts, hapkido and taekwondo. These two styles are taught in parallel and have been blended together by Grandmaster Vince Sperduto. This means you learn both martial art styles simultaneously when studying at our school and gives you an array of techniques that you can apply based on what a given situation may call for. Grandmaster Vince holds the rank of 8th Dan. He has taught thousands of men, women and children for over four decades in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Grandmaster Vince is one of the highest ranked Hapkido masters in North America.

Hapkido is considered a “soft” style martial art because it uses your opponents energy and strength against them. This is perfect for children, women and the elderly. It uses circular movements and redirection of force to execute joint locks and throws to control your opponent. It takes advantage of footwork and body position to incorporate leverage instead of strength. There are also numerous striking and kicking techniques. Additionally, pressure point strikes are utilized. Finally, there are many hapkido weapons, and a dozen of them are taught at our school at higher ranks. Don’t let the “soft” fool you – hapkido is an extremely effective martial art.

Conversely, taekwondo is considered a “hard” style martial art because it is more linear and focuses on strength, speed, flexibility and stamina. This is a great way to get and stay in shape while you learn how to protect yourself. Although there are many hand techniques, taekwondo is known for its many kicking techniques, some of which are quite incredible to witness as well as being highly effective.

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.

Instructor/Owner Pete Canavan

Author, speaker and security expert Pete Canavan has made it his mission to improve safety and security. Master Pete provides actionable tips, techniques and tactics that audiences can put to immediate use to enhance both their online security and offline safety. He makes businesses and individuals safer and more secure through his speaking, writing, coaching and consulting.

Through his IT company, PJC Services, LLC, he has been keeping his clients' systems, networks and accounts safe since 1995. He brings over 25 years of experience as an IT and cyber security consultant to organizations looking to reduce risk and liability, rapidly improve the safety and security of their employees, and develop a safer and more productive work environment through increased awareness and confidence, proper mindset, and attitude. He also provides ongoing consulting to help ensure they are able to survive inevitable, ongoing and increasingly common cyberattacks.

Master Pete (he is a 5th degree black belt master in Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do) has trained hundreds of men, women and children of all ages in mental and physical self-defense techniques via in-person and virtual classes, workshops and private instruction.

Pete has spoken on stage around the country and been featured on national and international media programs including NewsNation, USA Today, NY Post, Washington Post, and dozens of podcasts and radio stations regarding his expertise on personal safety. The host of the Safety Talk podcast, Pete features safety and security experts from around the world who share their expertise and products with his global audience.

He has written five books to date, and his Self-Defense Survival Guide” is available absolutely FREE for you to download and begin learning how to defend yourself right away. Simply click the [Download Today] button below!. Pete lives with his wife, Susan and has three sons - all students of the martial arts.

The Hapkido TaeKwonDo Institute Mission & Vision

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 Master Instructor) 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 benefits including increased strength and flexibility. 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.

Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have and set up a meeting to discuss your needs and goals.

Why Choose The Hapkido TaeKwonDo Institute?

Structured Curriculum Coupled with Skilled and Personable Instructors Enable You to Enjoy Learning

You will always know exactly what you need to be learning at every step of the way in your journey. Our structured curriculum means you can be organized and disciplined as you learn. Our instructors have decades of experience teaching students at every level and make learning enjoyable for you and your family or organization.

Small Class Sizes Allow Students to Receive Personal Attention

We pride ourselves in having smaller class sizes which allows our instructors to provide plenty of personal attention to each student. This ensures that you get the attention you need and won't get left behind, confused or unsure of what you are expected to do.

Our Martial Arts Team Takes Great Pride In The Reviews We Receive