🥋 Limited Free VIP Passes Available for Term 4 Classes in Chatswood & Sydney North Shore — Claim Yours Today!
★ Taught Directly by 29x World Champion , 8th Dan Blackbelt  and Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee Grandmaster John Gill as seen on The Today Show , The Morning Show, Studio 10 , Sunrise and Kerri-Anne 

Give Your Child Unshakeable Confidence & Real-World Bully Protection — So They Can Walk Tall in School and Life

Sydney's premier family-friendly martial arts academy. Safe, practical Hapkido and self-defence taught without aggression, egos, or rigid fitness requirements. Feel empowered from your very first session.

  • 100% Free — No Payment or Credit Card Needed
  • Total Beginners & All Fitness Levels Welcome
  • Safe, Kind & Non-Intimidating Atmosphere
Grandmaster John Gill, Instructor Isaac Yeoh and Master Simon Duncan with kids holding grading certificates and trophies at the Australian School of Self-Defence
29x World Self Defence Champion
40+ Years teaching Sydney Families
Official Anti-Bullying Curriculum

Trusted by Over 10,000+ Sydney Families, Schools, and Corporate Groups Since 1985

  • Multiple World Self -Defence Champion 
  •  Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 5.0 ★ Google & Facebook Rating
  • Excellence through Traditional Martial Arts training, Philosophy  and Life Skills  

Step Onto the Mat in 3 Effortless Steps

No contracts, no expensive uniforms on day one, and zero stress.

  1. 1

    Reserve Your Free Pass

    Pick a 45-minute beginner slot that fits your schedule.

  2. 2

    Experience a Fun, Safe Class

    Train directly with Grandmaster John and meet our welcoming community in comfortable gym clothes.

  3. 3

    Watch Confidence Skyrocket

    Take home immediate, practical defensive awareness and self-respect that lasts a lifetime.

Practical Skills for Every Member of the Family

Outcome-focused training for children, women, adults and organisations — all under the guidance of Grandmaster John Gill.

Kids practising anti-bullying stances in a martial arts class
Kids & Teens Anti-Bullying

Unstoppable Confidence & Emotional Resilience

Teaches verbal boundary setting, eye contact, de-escalation, and non-violent escapes from holds and grabs.

Women practising practical self-defence escapes with a partner
Women's Practical Self-Defence

Muscle-Free Escapes Using Pure Leverage

Instinctive defences against larger attackers, wrist/throat releases, ground survival, and situational awareness.

Adult Hapkido student executing a throw during class
Adult Hapkido & Street Defence

Functional Fitness & Total Mental Focus

Learn Hapkido 'the Complete Art of Self-Defence and the the original Mixed Martial Art' for  Real-world protection, not sport sparring.

Corporate team taking part in a conflict resolution and safety culture workshop
Corporate & School Workshops

Conflict Resolution & Safety Culture

High-energy on-site seminars tailored for corporate teams, community centres, and secondary schools.

Advanced students sparring during an instructor and competition training session
Instructor Course & Competition Team

Lead, Compete & Earn Your Black Belt Credentials

For advanced and competitive students: teaching methodology, tournament preparation and Dan-grade Instruction  under Grandmaster John Gill, 8th Dan.

Parents and children training together in a family self-defence class
Family Self-Defence

Bond Together While Learning Life-Saving Skills

Bond together while learning crucial life-saving skills. A healthy, shared activity for the whole household.

Teenagers practising wrist-grab escapes in a self-defence class
Teenagers Self-Defence

Confidence, Resilience & Peer-Pressure Defence

Build unshakeable confidence, resilience, and peer-pressure defense during critical years.

Grandmaster demonstrating a wrist-grab escape at a S.A.F.E. community seminar
S.A.F.E. SEMINARS 

Self-Protection, Anti-Bullying, Fun & Fitness, Empowerment

Grandmaster John Gill's flagship community safety seminar: situational awareness, verbal de-escalation and leverage-based escapes for all ages.

Learn About S.A.F.E.

Find a Class That Fits Your Week

Browse upcoming classes across Chatswood and the North Shore and book your free trial directly from the calendar.

Australian School of Self-Defence
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Stories From Sydney Parents, Students, and Women Who Found Their Voice

Read how everyday people transformed fear into focus.

My son was struggling with school bullies and losing confidence. After 8 weeks with Grandmaster John, his head is held high, his grades improved, and he made wonderful friends.

Sarah M.
Hornsby Mum
Verified Student

I was nervous entering a martial arts studio. John is the kindest, most patient instructor. The techniques actually work against someone twice your size.

Michelle T.
Women's Seminar Attendee
Verified Student

Best workout for both mind and body. No egos, just world-class instruction.

David K.
Adult Hapkido
Verified Student

Both my kids beg to go to class. They've learned to use their voice, set boundaries and walk away — skills I wish I'd had at their age.

Priya R.
Mum of two, Wahroonga
Verified Student

I used to dread school. Now I know I can look after myself and I actually feel calm about it. Grandmaster John makes every class fun.

Tom W.
Teen Student, 15
Verified Student

Our team left the SAFE workshop energised and genuinely more aware. Practical, respectful and superbly organised.

Karen L.
HR Manager, Corporate Workshop
Verified Student

I spent the better part of my 20s drinking... in between deployments to some really god forsaken places. I was looking for something to help me get out of the trap I'd made for myself in the PTSD. From the first time I stepped on the mat, time stopped. Completely. I lost myself for three hours. No anxiety. No depression. No intrusive thoughts. I found peace. Now it is more a part of me than my old self. I keep going just on the off chance I can help someone else who's lost.

Adult Student
Veteran, Adult Hapkido
Verified Student

I've only sparred twice so far... but it's like I'm no longer scared of any confrontation outside of the boxing gym. I feel immensely calm when interacting with people, and have no social anxiety at all now. I speak much slower, and more in control... getting into the ring with someone... and having them try to physically hurt you is frightening as hell. But after I get it over with, it's like I feel immensely calm and peaceful... it's like 'if I can handle that, I can handle anything life throws at me.'

Adult Student
Adult Hapkido & Street Defence
Verified Student

I speak up to shitty treatment nearly everytime, and I often stand up for others who are being picked on as a small Asian woman. My logic is, if I know I can break your arms if I wanted to, why would I be afraid to stand up to verbal harassment or poor treatment?

Female Student
Women's Practical Self-Defence
Verified Student

Well I got sick of living in fear constantly, so I thought if I learned how to defend myself it would help me build the confidence to not be so afraid anymore. Took Judo at first and stuck with it for 8 years... after I beat the school bully, it just kinda hit me, I don't have to be afraid anymore. I can defend myself and the ones I love now.

Long-Term Student
Adult Self-Defence
Verified Student
Grandmaster John Gill wearing his World Champion heavyweight belt and gold medal at the World Championships

Learn From One of the Most Decorated Martial Artists in Australian History

Grandmaster John Gill is an 8th Dan Blackbelt with more than 40 years of teaching experience and holder of the Australian record for the most individual world title wins — 11 World Self Defence Championships.

Inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, John founded the school's community safety and anti-bullying initiatives, bringing authentic Korean martial traditions to Sydney families in a warm, ego-free environment.

  • 29x World Self Defence Champion
  • 8th Dan Blackbelt & Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 40+ years coaching Sydney families
Full Biography

Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Class

Claim Your Free Introductory Class Before This Week's Spots Fill

Give yourself or your child the gift of lifelong safety and self-belief.

  • 100% Free — No Payment or Credit Card Needed
  • Total Beginners & All Fitness Levels Welcome
  • Safe, Kind & Non-Intimidating Atmosphere

Prefer to talk first? Call Grandmaster John directly at 0490 109 334.

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Online Training

Can't make it to the dojo? Learn directly from Grandmaster John Gill, 8th Dan, from your living room, backyard or hotel room, wherever life takes you.

💻 Online Video Series: A complete self defence video course you can purchase today and start learning straight away.

🎥 On-Demand Course: Step-by-step self defence lessons you can follow at your own pace, anytime.

🌏 Who It's For: Busy professionals, regional and interstate students, travellers, and anyone who prefers to train from home.

📞 Phone: 0490 109 334

John Gill demonstrating a high kick – online video course previewColoured martial arts belts from white to black

Learn From Our YouTube Videos

Follow along with Grandmaster John Gill and start building real self defence skills today. Watch, practise, and repeat, then join us in person or online to take it further.

Step-by-Step Martial Arts Kicks to Win Any Confrontation

Full tutorial with Grandmaster John Gill.

Australian Hapkido Federation Seminar – Video 5

Learn Hapkido techniques from a live seminar.

Women's Self Defence Course – Lesson 2, Video 3

Practical self-defence techniques from our women's course.

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