SF Martial Arts And Fitness – The Hapkido Institute

Very happy with my tournament results/​experience after one year under Mark Tse and Vern Inocencio Brazilian Jiu Jitsu guidance.
Mark’s Tuesday and Thursday class offers the budding Bjj student/​competitor an effective skill set/​base spawned from his many years as a successful Bjj practitioner and collegiate division 1 wrestler. If you’re serious about your training and look to have someone to be there mat side when you go to battle, Marks your guy! And, with Vern’s vast knowledge of Jiu Jitsu and application makes for a well-​rounded approach to learning and COMPETING for the serious martial artist.
Many good friends to be found at THI, thank you!

This review is for Saturday’s Brazilian Jiu –Jitsu (bjj) with Vern Incencio.
I’ve been training with Vern since 2011. I’ve trained at four different Bjj schools and I have the utmost respect for his Jiu– Jitsu skills.
Vern is a Bjj enthusiast and you can tell he loves to teach it as well. All Bjj moves are very technical and he articulates really well and goes into specific details on how to execute a technique based on the opponent’s position or reaction. His curriculum is very thorough and he links each technique together to make it easier for us to understand.
I love Bjj because it gives smaller individuals, like myself, better leverage and Vern understands that really well. Sometimes if a technique may not work for me, he gives me a modification to execute it.
There is only good vibes in his classes, everybody is always friendly, training is always fun, and it’s an ego free zone. I highly recommend to anybody, beginners and those who are already training!

Can’t say enough good things about this place.
Great staff and relaxed atmosphere. Felt welcome from day 1.
I had never tried out any form of martial arts before but got hooked in no time on both Hapkido and Muay Thai.
The instructors take a lot of pride in what they teach and how. And it shows.
Top notch across the board…

We’ve only been here for a short time but I already love this place. I love how there is not just one teacher but two other staff on hand as well. Makes me know if the lead teacher is out, there is someone who is capable to step in. Also, within the first class, my son has learned more than he ever has at another school (where thankfully we don’t go anymore). This is a great place for kids.

Thanks Dennis, Troy, Vern, Matt, Kenya & the whole Hapkido team.
This place was great for so many different reasons.
Friendly staff
Reasonably priced
So many classes to try
GREAT INSTRUCTORS
Even the students there are awesome.
Classes I took:
Hapkido — Dennis & Troy are awesome, I really felt like I was learning and progressing. If I didn’t move I’d still be there
Muy Thai: Kenya was an awesome instructor who really helped you learn the techniques to a proper punch, kick, knee… etc.
Yoga: Never thought I’d get into Yoga, but Matt made it very appeasing and easy to follow
Jui-​Jitsu– Vern was top notch. It’s been one week and I already miss the attention he gives his students.
Honestly you could take any of the comments I made above and switch the Instructors names around. All together if you’re interested in taking a class and live nearby or far away… This would be my 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th choice!

THI is a wonderful place where kids learn not only the physical aspects of martial arts but the underlying principles. My 7 year old daughter has been taking classes at THI for 2 years and loves it! Dennis strikes a perfect balance between fun and strict, holding to the kids to a high standard but pushing them as hard as they’re ready to be pushed. He and all of the teachers are dedicated, fun and caring.

Our family loves The Hapkido Institute!!! My 6 year old daughter has been taking classes for the past year. The instructors are as skilled in fun, patience and organization as they are in martial arts! It’s a supportive, intimate family environment that leaves the kids prepared to excel on and off the mat. My daughter is more focused in school, and more driven to challenge herself to learn new skills. We’ve tapped into a great community at THI. The summer camp is totally awesome! Mr. Ruehl, Mr. T and Maggie all bring something unique to the table. Dennis knows how to keep everyone’s attention, and he commands respect in a kind and fun and action-​packed way. Mr. T is patient and kind and quietly awesome! Maggie is a positive role model for all the students, and she keeps a smile on her face but the brown belt reminds you she can kick some butt! The kids have fun and always burn off a lot of energy! Everyone is on their best behavior, and the kids all learn the hapkido creed (self defense, proper attitude, respect, discipline and 100 percent effort)! My husband started taking Muy Thai classes with Kenya and he raves about the instructor, fellow students and sweat factor. We searched a long time to find a martial arts studio focused on skill development and self defense instead of just taking your money, teaching you to fight and striving for a black belt at the expense of Everything else. THI is the best find! The morning yoga with Ferol is a nice blend of alignment & flow (yoga works). You will not be disappointed with anything at THI!

I’ve been going here for years, and I’m a fan of the school. Focused and disciplined instructors that teach without ego, and a great, clean gym. The compliment of hapkido and muy thai from a veteran fighter and coach is a great combination. Plus there’s some SERIOUS Brazilian jujitsu, too. All skill levels can benefit from this school.

‘there aren’t any bad students only bad instructors’
This quote should be applied here! GREAT teachers that really care. They approach the martial arts as they should be (IMHO)… not as a super-​ray-​gun that will stop anyone, rather a set of techniques that work but won’t stop a bullet ;)
They mix Korean Jujitsu (hapkido) with MuayThai, BJJ and Japanese Jujitsu.
They also are welcoming of folks that normally would not think of joining a MA school (old, fat, scared, etc.) and I am cool with that. Again, ‘only bad teachers’

If you’re new to martial arts, this place is perfect. Each instructor seems to have a different discipline (much more than just Hapkido) but none of them are religious about it. The Judo instructor points out techniques from Jujitsu, the Hapkido instructor discusses MMA rules. None of the instructors are intimidating until you spar. (Then you realize you should never assume that the guy on the street that is half your weight can’t actually do you seriously harm if you are the bad guy. And I’ve seen a lot of kung fu movies. And I’ve done a lot of light saber practice in the garage. None of that could possibly help me in a bind.)
Totally recommended for women and self defense too. I told my girlfriend and all her friends they should take a few classes. I was amazed at what a lighter, less strong individual can do to defend their self.

Nice people, good instruction, serious practice, a good school. Very relaxed atmosphere.

EXCELLENT martial arts studio. Have been working out there for about 8 months now.
Very sensitive instructors who seem to only care about your growth as a martial artist. Non-​militant or violent and very clean ;).
Balanced program that is Aikido-​like with judo stuff (I love the ground fighting) and good old fashioned kicking and punching thrown in.
Would recommend highly.