ANDREW BROWNRIGG
Head Instructor / Founder
In the beginning
As a kid I was always fascinated by martial arts and a big fan of TV shows like Monkey, Kung Fu and Bruce Lee movies.
I enjoyed the philosophy, ethics and principals embedded in these programs as much as the action and excitement of the fight scenes, and it was some of my earliest exposure to Buddhist and Daoist thought and philosophy.
I had always been active but eventually I came to stage in my life where I wanted something more from my training, something that addressed body, mind and spirit - martial arts was the obvious choice. So I began researching and trying various arts.
The Search Begins
I wanted an art with the discipline, respect and values of traditional martial arts, while being a modern practical/effective martial art. Whilst many arts were excellent in their particular specialty – kicking, striking, throwing, locking, ground work – none had the specific mix I was looking for.
Eventually I came across a magazine profiling various martial arts including an article on Hapkido featuring Master Steve Tamanini from the Australian Hapkido Association (AHA). Here was the martial art I was looking for.
Hapkido had the elements from the other arts I admired, the principals of traditional martial arts and was a practical self defence system. I was hooked and quickly tracked down a local AHA club, did a trial class and signed up that same night. 20 years later I’m still loving it!
Master Steve Tamanini (right)
Student / Instructor
The instructor phase of my Hapkido life began over 12 years ago with an event that felt disastrous at the time.
I was a black belt and assistant instructor in the club I first joined when it closed leaving my fellow students and I with the choice of stop training or find a different art/style.
It was then I decided to establish my own Dojang-club and start teaching if the other students wished to keep training. I’m forever grateful they did and humbled by the trust they placed in me. The core group of those students who joined me on that journey still train today and have been amazing support, some of who are now instructors and/or are part of the senior leadership group.
What I love about teaching
I love working with people to help exceed their expectations, to overcome their fears and perceived limitations, to achieve their health and fitness goals to develop confidence, resilience, a growth mindset and learn Hapkido, of course. The friendships and community we have formed are exceedingly important as we have a collaboratively approach to our training.
Training
I have been training in Hapkido for 20 years. During this time I have also trained in various other arts, I’m currently graded in:
Hapkido – 2nd Dan
Gongkwon Yusul – Red Belt
Kali (Filipino MA) – Green Tip
I also cross train in boxing/kickboxing with running and weight training being the cornerstone of my cardio and strength training.
Thank you to all the instructors, masters, fellow students, and my students past, present and future, you have all taught and given me so much.
I look forward to the next 20 years and more.