Western Masters Martial Arts, Inc.

User Comment #3 by DSHarden on November 2nd, 2009 at 9:00 AM CST

Posted By : SSG Wilson TNARNG (brian.wilson17@us.army.mil) Posted : 5/12/2009 Comments : Doc' Harden is an outstanding trainer and Officer. I first met LTC Harden while deployed in Iraq, where he did my Units initial in-theater medical orientation briefing for combat medical evac ops. Since then, LTC Harden has transfered from Aviation to our Armored Cav. Unit, He has become a tremendous asset, in a very short time teaching medical topics and also surprizing the group by introducing combatives and martial arts training during our last Annual Training at Camp Shelby Mississippi...To say I was amazed to see "A Doc" effortlessly slinging soldiers around is an understatement! He has since, "by popular demand" taught numerous martial art classes and combative drills. I admit I was a bit skeptical at first, as I am a pretty "BIG" guy, but Doc "really is a martial artist!" The fact that he is also a heck of a soldier with numerous combat deployments under his belt, makes what he teaches all the more "real world applicable and sprinkled with practical experience". I intend to begin training in Aikido with Doc's class next month...after my ankle heals up" I would highly recommend his program to anyone interested in rock solid martial arts training! SSG B. Wilson

Posted By : SSG Wilson TNARNG (brian.wilson17@us.army.mil)
Posted : 5/12/2009
Comments : Doc' Harden is an outstanding trainer and Officer. I first met LTC Harden while deployed in Iraq, where he did my Units initial in-theater medical orientation briefing for combat medical evac ops. Since then, LTC Harden has transfered from Aviation to our Armored Cav. Unit, He has become a tremendous asset, in a very short time teaching medical topics and also surprizing the group by introducing combatives and martial arts training during our last Annual Training at Camp Shelby Mississippi...To say I was amazed to see "A Doc" effortlessly slinging soldiers around is an understatement! He has since, "by popular demand" taught numerous martial art classes and combative drills. I admit I was a bit skeptical at first, as I am a pretty "BIG" guy, but Doc "really is a martial artist!" The fact that he is also a heck of a soldier with numerous combat deployments under his belt, makes what he teaches all the more "real world applicable and sprinkled with practical experience". I intend to begin training in Aikido with Doc's class next month...after my ankle heals up" I would highly recommend his program to anyone interested in rock solid martial arts training! SSG B. Wilson

User Comment #2 by DSHarden on November 2nd, 2009 at 9:00 AM CST

Posted By : Kalin Honaker (khonaker08@ehc.edu) Posted : 6/5/2009 Comments : Prior to my experience with Western Masters, I had no interest whatsoever in taking martial arts. All I saw in American Martial Arts was an over-commercialized industry in which people pay to learn how to hurt each other and come out with a less-than-applicable set of flashy skills. I thought that the discipline and control ("bushido") that was taught in traditional martial arts was dead in the United States. When I began Master Harden's Aikido class eight months ago at the beginning of my freshman year of college, my view of martial arts was changed completely. I was caught off guard by Master Harden's profound understanding of not only the physical aspects of martial arts training, but the value of the spiritual aspects as well. The level of martial arts training that I have received in the Western Masters system has been invaluable to me for the short time I have been a part of Western Masters. I can not imagine my life now without martial arts. Without the family I have found at our Western Masters dojo, the lessons I have learned from Master Harden and from my classmates, and the physical, mental, and spiritual growth that I have obtained from the art itself, I would not be the person I am today. My experience with the Western Masters Martial Arts system has not only changed my view of American Martial Arts; it has changed my approach to life. I look forward to training with my Western Masters family for many years. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted By : Kalin Honaker (khonaker08@ehc.edu)
Posted : 6/5/2009
Comments : Prior to my experience with Western Masters, I had no interest whatsoever in taking martial arts. All I saw in American Martial Arts was an over-commercialized industry in which people pay to learn how to hurt each other and come out with a less-than-applicable set of flashy skills. I thought that the discipline and control ("bushido") that was taught in traditional martial arts was dead in the United States. When I began Master Harden's Aikido class eight months ago at the beginning of my freshman year of college, my view of martial arts was changed completely. I was caught off guard by Master Harden's profound understanding of not only the physical aspects of martial arts training, but the value of the spiritual aspects as well. The level of martial arts training that I have received in the Western Masters system has been invaluable to me for the short time I have been a part of Western Masters. I can not imagine my life now without martial arts. Without the family I have found at our Western Masters dojo, the lessons I have learned from Master Harden and from my classmates, and the physical, mental, and spiritual growth that I have obtained from the art itself, I would not be the person I am today. My experience with the Western Masters Martial Arts system has not only changed my view of American Martial Arts; it has changed my approach to life. I look forward to training with my Western Masters family for many years.
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User Comment #1 by DSHarden on November 2nd, 2009 at 8:58 AM CST

Posted By : Leigh Ann Young M.D. (leigh.ann.yong@va.gov) Posted : 10/20/2009 Comments : I started training about one year ago with my husband (an anesthesiologist) and our two son's and we "Love the training, fellowship, and fun! I am in the best shape of my "life"! I have lost weight, gained confidence, and found a wonderful second family at Western Masters. I train in both the Family Tae Kwon Do and Yoshinkan Aikido programs. I am also a physician board certified in internal medicine and I cannot think of a better designed program anywhere for overall total fitness! Master Harden is truly a world class instructor, phenomenal martial artist and as if that were not enough he is a highly decorated soldier and professional officer with more then twenty years as a "real warrior and soldier". He brings experience, wisdom, and joy to every class!! It is wonderful training from someone who is doing what they LOVE! In closing, my family has trained in other programs and frankly there is nothing in our area that even remotely compares to the skill and teaching talents of this very "real" martial arts program! We recommend it highly to anyone interested in training in the martial arts!

Posted By : Leigh Ann Young M.D. (leigh.ann.yong@va.gov)
Posted : 10/20/2009
Comments : I started training about one year ago with my husband (an anesthesiologist) and our two son's and we "Love the training, fellowship, and fun! I am in the best shape of my "life"! I have lost weight, gained confidence, and found a wonderful second family at Western Masters. I train in both the Family Tae Kwon Do and Yoshinkan Aikido programs. I am also a physician board certified in internal medicine and I cannot think of a better designed program anywhere for overall total fitness! Master Harden is truly a world class instructor, phenomenal martial artist and as if that were not enough he is a highly decorated soldier and professional officer with more then twenty years as a "real warrior and soldier". He brings experience, wisdom, and joy to every class!! It is wonderful training from someone who is doing what they LOVE! In closing, my family has trained in other programs and frankly there is nothing in our area that even remotely compares to the skill and teaching talents of this very "real" martial arts program! We recommend it highly to anyone interested in training in the martial arts!