Overview of Yongmudo

Yongmudo incorporates a variety of techniques into a comprehensive system of personal health and self-protection. The guiding principle of yongmudo is flexibility of response to use an attacker's force against themselves. Combining current health and safety knowledge with modern training techniques, yongmudo training is an excellent exercise program to challenge both the mind and body for health, fitness, and defense.

• Curriculum
• Flexibility of Response
• Training Goals
• Safety

Yongmudo is a “self-defense” martial art and includes a variety of techniques including throws, joint-locks, kicking, and hand strikes. These techniques are practiced and applied in both standing and ground sparring. Falls and rolls are also learned primarily in relation to throws.

The primary principle of yongmudo is “flexibility of response.” The array of techniques in yongmudo allows participants to effectively manage attacks with a choice of multiple responses.

The primary goal of Yongmudo training is to learn how to use one’s body efficiently with the world around us. For example, rolling helps us to interact with the ground well and avoid injury. This line of thought applies to interactions with others as well: we attempt to redirect, rather resist, a forceful attack.

Due to the types of techniques practiced, the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program limits the full range of Yongmudo training to mature teenagers and adults. Children younger than 11 years of age practice a modified curriculum and must have the approval of the instructor following a conversation between the instructor and the parents.