After a knee injury kept me away from training in Shotokan Karate for several years, I was looking to continue my martial arts training in an art that was less focused on striking and more suited toward real-world self-defense scenarios. Through my research I narrowed down my choices to Hapkido and Jujitsu. My next task was finding the right instructor. I stumbled upon Master Beck online and am glad I did. Master Beck's classes are small and the environment welcoming. More importantly, Master Beck's teaching philosophy encourages his students to understand why the techniques work, in contrast to the "rote memorization until you reach 1st dan" approach that predominates in some schools.

Jared Seehafer

I walk to work, and I can honestly say that, since studying Arnis with Guro Beck, I've never felt safer. Just knowing that my umbrella and my pocket knife are serious weapons helps me to feel confident even walking through a somewhat rough neighborhood. I always look forward to my next lesson. In class, I get more direct attention from the teacher than I've ever had in a martial arts class. Thanks, Master Beck!

Josh Jordan

I love the way Master Beck teaches Hapkido: very technical, refined, and his distinctive technique-based curriculum makes more sense to me. While I’ve picked up other joint lock and throw techniques from the Hapkido curriculum at VTA, arm bar, figure-4, and S lock are still my main joint lock self-defense techniques (what Master Beck taught me up to yellow belt) in almost any situation I can still set it up. I will recommend Master Beck for those who want to do focused Hapkido and self-defense training in general.

Eko Onggosanusi

I love Hapkido. I speak highly of the art and I speak highly in general of the training I receive at BMA. I like the small class size and have always enjoyed the cameraderie of those training with me. The seminars are a nice change of pace and although they can sometimes be a little pricey, they're enjoyable and give us a chance to work on things not typically covered. Most of the people I am friends with know I am in Hapkido and I never miss an opportunity to demonstrate how easily I can injure somebody else...lol. It has also been good for me as a way of staying in shape.

Rick Moore

Overall, I find the curriculum and teaching style excellent. I have been a member or visited many other schools in various styles of martial arts in my life, and I find BMA one of the more enjoyable. It is a balanced mix of practical style but also low key (meaning not over-the-top or too intense) that makes coming to practice enjoyable, rather than a chore. I like the spontanaiety of the curriculum. Mixing up different things (footwork, hand/foot technique, working with power bags, and self-defense work) keeps the class from getting boring.

Vladimir Zuzukin

To be very honest, I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy martial arts as an adult even though I loved it as a kid. I knew next to nothing about hapkido, but decided to take a chance. Choosing the right class made all the difference. I enjoyed the relatively smaller size of the classroom (My past experiences made for very little one on one instruction with 30+ kids in attendance every class). I enjoyed the "no-hassle" feel of training. It was definitely a move-at-your own pace and enjoy what you're doing for the sake of doing something worth-while in personal development.

Michael B. Jones

My husband has always had a passion for martial arts and was looking into joining a school and I was just along for the ride. I thought it was all about fighting and it ended up to be just the opposite and much more than I expected.
... I went from a person filled with doubt in my own ability to succeed or face difficult challenges to a person waking up each morning prepared to face any challenges thrown at me for the day. I've learned how to control my thoughts, anger, axiety and environment through principles learned in Master Beck's Hapkido class...it's been one of the best investments I've ever made in my life.

Tristan Burchette Moore

Once I decided to learn Hapkido, I had to find the right instructor to learn from. Not just from a master of Hapkido, but a master of Hapkido that can truly teach the art, not just teach the techniques of Hapkido, but the underlying principals of the art. An instructor who not understands the underlying principles, but can teach them to a very diverse range of individuals with different body types, strengths, and ages...Not only does Master Beck understand and teach the principals of Hapkido, he augments these principals with very practical street defense skills, not the impractical flowery skills taught by other instructors. Master Beck also stresses the foundations of self defense, footwork, conditioning, body mechanics, and often ignored, mental skills.

John Dawson

I had never taken a martial arts class before and I talked with a number of my friends prior to signing up. My friends told me that the main factor in choosing a class was the instructor, then the style. That is why I chose to study with Master Beck. He has been someone I have really enjoyed working with.

Being 47, I was anxious about being able to do hapkido. Master Beck has been patient and a great instructor. And now that I know a little more about Hapkido, I think it is the best self defense art. I would encourage you, no matter your age, to come visit a class.

Ken Mixon

... to train the body is really to train the mind and the spirit and so on. When these things are brought together, there arises in the midst a great treasure called LIFE: Ki. If one way to translate "Hapkido" is "Art of Coordinated Power", then another equally valid way is: "Way of Harmony with Life".

I invite you to do as I have done and continue to do. Look in the dojo and you will see students and teachers. Look in yourself and you will find the teaching. At last, you will understand, that the martial arts truly begin in the heart and mind. ...I am eternally grateful to have the Honor and Privilage of studying Hapkido under the patient tutelage of Master David Beck.

Buddy Moore