Subscribe To This Site's Feed
Would you like to be part of our history? Here’s your chance!While the Hebb Institute of Martial Arts didn’t make its presence known to the general public until the beginning of 2009, its history is much deeper and richer than you might imagine.
HIMA's history started when Ron began training at CRCA – Maryland in the Spring of 1996. This was a branch of Sifu Randy Williams’ international Close Range Combat Academy. This commercial branch was located in Hagerstown, Maryland. Sifu Wayne Jackson was the teacher. A few years into his training, Sifu Jackson closed the Hagerstown location. He asked a few of his top students to join him in his garage to continue the training. Ron was among this group. While Sifu Jackson lost quite a few good students due to the move, Ron was committed to the course for five primary reasons. #1 – For starters, he was realizing a dream! He was finally getting the chance to study Bruce Lee’s original art. #2 – Sifu Jackson was also a hardcore Bruce Lee fanatic and he had studied much of Bruce’s material. When the training moved to the garage, Sifu Jackson began teaching what he termed, “Jeet Kune Do Concepts.” Sifu Jackson’s JKD Concepts training was based on his personal studies of Bruce Lee’s books and videos of modern JKD Concepts proponents. #3 – Ron loved the garage atmosphere! While training in a garage turned many students off, Ron wasn’t one of them. He felt it gave the training an edge – of being hardcore. In Ron’s mind, the students who trained in the garage were the ones who really wanted it! It didn’t hurt that he had read accounts of Dan Inosanto’s “backyard group.” #4 – He found great training partners that loved every aspect of the training. The most notable and influential in Ron’s training was Bert Hill. Ron and Bert were training partners for roughly five years. Ron and Bert trained well together. Their passion for the arts transcended just the physical training. Consequently, they shared many discussions and explored many aspects of the arts during frequent interactions. #5 – Lastly, Ron knew that he wanted to have his own school one day. In order to accomplish that objective he needed to continue his training. Since he had found training that suited him physically and mentally, he wasn’t about to let a change of venue stop him.
Ron began his career as a civil servant with the Marine Corps in April of 1996. He built a comprehensive fitness and wellness program from scratch. During his first three years, the martial arts played a limited role in the program. At that time, Ron organized once-a-year seminars two out of the three years. Those seminars involved local talent from DC, MD, and VA. In 1999 and 2000, the martial arts still played a limited role in the program, however, the once-a-year seminars changed in scope. Nationally known martial artists were brought in to teach the seminars. In 2001, much changed! The martial arts grew into one of the five program pillars, which included physical fitness, medical exercise, health education, wellness, and martial arts. Ron began teaching regular classes at lunchtime. Additionally, 2001 marked the appearance of Sifu Cass Magda. From 2001 – February of 2008, Ron taught classes aboard Henderson Hall. During that same time period, Sifu Cass Magda taught seven seminars at the base. Additionally, Sifu Mike Tasman (a senior staff member of the Magda Institute) taught one three-day and one four-day workshop at Henderson Hall. Ron’s incredible experiences at Henderson Hall helped him to grow considerably as a martial artist and a person. Throughout this time, Ron constantly dreamed of returning to his Williamsport, MD roots to open his own professional martial arts institute. Ron has been exceptionally fortunate to have had some great teachers share many things with him. He wants to pass on this fortune and share some of his knowledge with his hometown people.
In his heart, Ron knew that he would return home to Williamsport, MD one day to try to build his dream – a professional martial arts institute. During discussions with his teacher, Sifu Cass Magda, he was encouraged to develop his own logo. Ron took that encouragement to heart and began working with Marco Bustamante in the Spring of 2005. Marco is a Magda Institute staff member who just happens to be a graphic designer. Ron vividly recalls receiving Marco’s overwhelming questionnaire that required tremendous thought to complete. He further recalls wondering how Marco would translate the answers into a logo. A couple of weeks later, Ron received three different logo options. While Ron liked them all, he was especially fond of one. That fondness resulted in the Hebb Institute of Martial Arts logo being born.
The Hebb Institute of Martial Arts has been a four-man, closed-door gang since the Fall of 2006. The gang is still intact and it includes Ron Hebb, Ernie Himes, Tom Slattery, Jr., and Rob Baird. The gang is a fun loving, yet hardworking group of martial artists. Ernie emerged as the second coming of Bert Hill. He is now the dedicated and passionate training partner that keeps Ron energized and growing. While the garage lacks the comfortable amenities of a cozy school, the training has much to offer. As a Magda Institute affiliate, the Hebb Institute of Martial Arts delivers the renowned Magda curriculum that consists of Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, and Indonesian Pentjak Silat. The closed-door nature of the gang coupled with the type of training that’s done has led to the formation of very close ties between the guys. Ernie and Tom were there for Ron’s wedding in 2005. They also accompanied Ron and his family to Thailand during the summer of 2008.
If you have always been interested in martial arts, but have never formally studied because you never found the right place, 2009 is Your Year of Fortune. If you have studied martial arts before, but quit because you were unhappy with your progress or what you were learning, 2009 is Your Year of Fortune. If you have always had unique tastes and those tastes extend to the martial arts (meaning you seek less mainstream arts), 2009 is Your Year of Fortune. If you are a black belt in another system and you have learned all you feel that you can learn at your present school (Ernie and Tom are both Tae Kwon Do black belts), 2009 is Your Year of Fortune. Why is 2009 Your Year of Fortune? 2009 is Your Year of Fortune because the Hebb Institute of Martial Arts is opening its door to the general public for the first time ever!
Do NOT let this golden opportunity pass you by! The keys to your future kingdom are being held in an open palm – grab them! The confidence that you gain and the principles that you internalize from your martial arts training can help you realize your dreams – whatever they may be! Act NOW by getting FREE Classes! |