Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Hapkido and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of American Hapkido Mixed Martial Arts's instructors and other staff members, starting with :

Mrs. Kimberly Anderson  (4th Degree Black Adult Program Director)  Mrs. Kimberly Anderson Started her Martial Arts career in 1984 in Canoga park under Master Fariborz Azhaka in Hapkido. her claim to fame is being master Fariborz first adult female Black Belt. She recently graduated with a 4th Dan in April 2010. She has had other successful careers in the Dental field as well as a insurance agent becoming a million dollar producer for Blue Cross of California, but her most rewarding is working with her husband and best friend Master Dan Anderson at their business at American Hapkido MMA. Mrs. Anderson is head of the Martial Arts After School Program which is the only one of it's kind in Moorpark and during the summer she runs their summer camp program. When she is not working or doing volunteer work, her passion is spending time on the golf course or talking with her daughter Jeri, who is attending college in Hawaii. On weekends she loves riding their CBR1000 when possible, you will know it's her if you see the license place HRC BOMB (Honda Racing Co).

Mr. Don Anderson  (2nd Degree Black Belt Adult Staff)  Training: Hapkido 10 years 1st Black, Tang Soo Do 4 years 1st Red, Jeet Kun Do 1 year. One of my favorite things about American Hapkido is that it is the closest thing to a complete style of martial arts that I have found. Its focus is self-defense and because of its eclectic nature, you’re not limited to one style. It’s a gathering of many types of martial arts, which makes it not only more interesting and fun as you learn. It also keeps it real; these techniques actually work on the street My favorite weapon is the cane. Because it is not actually a weapon, it can accompany its handler virtually anywhere, in plain sight. It’s always in your hand and ready to use. Because of its deceptive appearance, a would-be attacker might assume a person with a cane is disabled, old or injured. By underestimating his victim, the attacker has given you a distinct advantage. When used properly, the cane extends your range by more than three feet. It can be used to block bats, clubs, and knives instead of your limbs. When held by the crook, it is extremely hard for an attacker to take it away from you. It’s versatile. Whether used for multiple attackers, submission holds, joint manipulation or deadly force, it’s my first choice. My son Kody trained with me from age 5 to 15. He was a gifted martial artist and I was not. Even though our abilities and learning skills were quite different, the martial arts was a great vehicle for us to bond: working and playing together while building confidence and mutual respect, essential parts of a healthy family. In putting together the puzzle we call FAMILY, these pieces help form the frame that keeps the other pieces together. My wife, Shelley, is another important piece of this puzzle. She currently trains with me when time allows. I have seen her grow in confidence, strength and courage while making friends and learning self-defense. I am very blessed to have a friend like her who finds joy in sharing many of the things I am passionate about. Not to mention, it’s nice to know she’s got my back. What does Hapkido mean to me? It means I can be kind and sensitive to others because I have nothing to prove. It means I don’t have to worry about being able to protect my loved ones or others who can’t protect themselves. It means I must live with honor, humility and integrity to uphold the code of a black belt. My Favorite Quote: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Abraham Lincoln. Short-term Goals: To attain my second degree in Hapkido, Be a better teacher and to grow in faith. Long-term goals: To bring out the best in children and adults through martial arts. To teach others to lead by example. And to grow in faith. Who am I? I am brutally honest, a little shy, I am often-times too blunt, I am comfortable with my foot in my mouth. I live by the Golden Rule and wish everyone did. I believe in God and His Laws. I believe in love and marriage. I am a husband and a father. I am not afraid of hard work, but I’d rather be outside playing with my friends. I have been riding motorcycles (dirt and street) since I was old enough to hold on to the handlebars, and it’s still my favorite pastime. I love riding in the desert and snowboarding in the mountains.I am Passionate about Life!

Mr. Joe Gutierrez  (3rd Degree Black Belt Adult Staff)  Hello my name is Joe Gutierrez. I am 20 years old (as of early February) and I am an ancient student of Master Andersons. I started Hapkido way back in August of 1994! I have been training in this art for over 12 years (almost 13! Yay!), and I love every minute of it. Since I have made Hapkido my life style, I have the greatest honor in the world, which is to teach and be called an Instructor, and an AMP Instructor (After – school Martial arts Program), I get to work with kids all day! I love to teach. I love to find out which students require different teaching methods! I also love the feeling of helping students along their path to reach that high honor of achieving a Black Belt degree! I have two separate degrees in Hapkido. I have my Jr. Black Belt degree, which I got on December 11th of 1999, and I also have my 3rd Adult Black Belt degree, which I received on April 11th of 2010. I plan to go for my 4th Adult Black Belt degree this testing cycle (2013), but if that doesn’t work out I will go for it in 2014 testing cycle, that would give me a year to perfect all my techniques! Some of my favorite Hapkido techniques are; spin heel (no one expect a spinning heel, much less from a big guy like me!). One of my favorite throws is a hip throw (I can take down almost any sized person with control). I also have a favorite weapon. My first and fore most favorite weapon is the Katana. It’s a quick and deadly weapon. I love how a person wielding a katana can use speed and grace to get their kill shot in, and also to use strength and power to either counter and/or block. I have a very limited knowledge of some other martial art styles. I have some knowledge of Shotokan Karate. I have two sisters who also train in hapkido with me, Leona and Margaret. Both of them have their Jr. Black Belt degrees, except Leona also has her Adult Black Belt degree. All three of us have been training for a very long time! My favorite quote of all time is “The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge while an ordinary man takes everything either as a blessing or a curse” By Carlos Casteneda. This quote is important to me because that is the way that I see life. Everything is a challenge. My personal view of Hapkido is that this system is a way of life and not just a hobby. For those people who just want to rank in this system they will not learn everything that the art can teach you. Hapkido is a passive self defense and it teaches self control for the defense of yourself or for the ones that you care about. I am religious, I believe in God, I love football.

For more information about the American Hapkido Mixed Martial Arts staff or training programs, please contact us at (805) 523-7066 or by clicking here.