Lion's H.O.P.E. Martial Arts Studio

H O P E

Proverbs 28:1

Helping Other People Excel

Get Started Today

Email: mail@lionshopestudio.org

Call or Text: 724-410-8449

A MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO FOR the most vulnerable members of society

Training PROGRAMS

We offer one-on-one and group training seminars across Allegheny County and the Greater-Pittsburgh area, as well as at our NEW studio location in Tarentum.

Signed Exact English (SEE) also available for Deaf & Hard of Hearing.

Contact us about scheduling Lion's H.O.P.E. to visit your Senior Center, Church, Facility, or Event, or check us out on Facebook to find our current schedule

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Conflict Continuum & Self-Defense

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CANE DEFENSE

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MUNIO Self-Defense

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Tactical Hapkido

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OUR MISSION

LION'S H.O.P.E.

Martial Arts Studio

Lion’s H.O.P.E. Martial Arts Studio is a nonprofit organization whose focus is to teach elderly, women, and people with physical disabilities how to defend themselves from physical attack.
 
While our training programs are currently mobile, we are also working on a obtaining a designated location for Lion’s H.O.P.E. Martial Arts Studio.
 
The Allegheny County region of western PA needs a self-defense training studio designed to equip elderly, women, and those with physical disabilities to defend themselves from physical attack. 
In 2016, the elderly of Allegheny County made up almost 25% of the total population in 2016 (306,147 out of 1,225,365). Women are just over half of the total population at almost 52%, and of the civilian noninstitutionalized population, nearly 14% have a disability regardless of age. These are our neighbors, our friends, our family members, ourselves who are at risk for their personal safety.
 
Most martial arts studios and schools offer their training to able-bodied individuals, but there are only a few specific organizations within the US who tailor their services to those most at risk, and none of them are located in Allegheny County. This void is what Lion’s H.O.P.E. fills

“I know, I understand, and I can see myself in you. I have been there. Let me help you get here.”

I am trained and prepared to defend myself and others from physical attack, and I am convinced it is my responsibility to both God and my community to share my knowledge and training.

I understand our students’ perspectives on why they may have a difficult time defending themselves, as I recognize where their fear comes from and know those struggles first-hand. I can truthfully say to each one, “I know, I understand, and I can see myself in you. I have been there. Let me help you get here.”

  • Master Terry L. Durst has been actively studying martial arts since 2010
  • Studied Hapkido (HKD) at ‘More Than Conquerors (MTC) Martial Arts School Hapkido (HKD) under Master Chuck Edwards and Master Dawn Holben
  • 4th Degree Black Belt/Master in Tactical Hapkido
  • High-Green Belt (5th gup) in Tae Kwon Do
  • International Training Certifications in Weapons,  Tactical Hapkido, and Women’s self-defense
  • Lifetime member of Cane Masters International
  • Masters in Professional Writing
  • Undergraduate- and graduate-level degrees in Accounting
  • Currently employed in nonprofit accounting as a Grant Accountant and Financial Analyst for a local University
  • Signed Exact English (SEE) Interpreter for the Deaf since June 2016
  • Certified MUNIO Instructor since January 2022

Master
Terry L. Durst

Founder & Executive Director

LION'S H.O.P.E.

Martial Arts Studio

Lion’s H.O.P.E. Martial Arts Studio is a nonprofit organization whose focus is to teach elderly, women, and people with physical disabilities how to defend themselves from physical attack.
 
While our training programs are currently mobile, we are also working on a obtaining a designated location for Lion’s H.O.P.E. Martial Arts Studio.
The Allegheny County region of western PA needs a self-defense training studio designed to equip elderly, women, and those with physical disabilities to defend themselves from physical attack. 
In 2016, the elderly of Allegheny County made up almost 25% of the total population in 2016 (306,147 out of 1,225,365). Women are just over half of the total population at almost 52%, and of the civilian noninstitutionalized population, nearly 14% have a disability regardless of age. These are our neighbors, our friends, our family members, ourselves who are at risk for their personal safety.
 
Most martial arts studios and schools offer their training to able-bodied individuals, but there are only a few specific organizations within the US who tailor their services to those most at risk, and none of them are located in Allegheny County. This void is what Lion’s H.O.P.E. fills

Master
Terry L. Durst

Founder &
Executive Director

“I know, I understand, and I can see myself in you. I have been there. Let me help you get here.”

I am trained and prepared to defend myself and others from physical attack, and I am convinced it is my responsibility to both God and my community to share my knowledge and training.

I understand our students’ perspectives on why they may have a difficult time defending themselves, as I recognize where their fear comes from and know those struggles first-hand. I can truthfully say to each one, “I know, I understand, and I can see myself in you. I have been there. Let me help you get here.”

  • Master Terry L. Durst has been actively studying martial arts since 2010
  • Studied Hapkido (HKD) at ‘More Than Conquerors (MTC) Martial Arts School Hapkido (HKD) under Master Chuck Edwards and Master Dawn Holben
  • 4th Degree Black Belt/Master in Tactical Hapkido
  • High-Green Belt (5th gup) in Tae Kwon Do
  • International Training Certifications in Weapons,  Tactical Hapkido, and Women’s self-defense
  • Lifetime member of Cane Masters International
  • Masters in Professional Writing
  • Undergraduate- and graduate-level degrees in Accounting
  • Currently employed in nonprofit accounting as a Grant Accountant and Financial Analyst for a local University
  • Signed Exact English (SEE) Interpreter for the Deaf since June 2016
  • Certified MUNIO Instructor since January 2022

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are accepting letters of interest for the following volunteer roles: Fundraiser; Newsletter Editor; Social Media Outreach; Martial Arts Instructor.

DONATIONS

Lion’s H.O.P.E. Martial Arts Studio is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit public charity as certified by the US IRS, effective August 2019.
Contact us by email for further details.

Your partnership enables us to continue impacting the most vulnerable members of our community.

Your support is crucial to our efforts to bring security, confidence, and the self defense training they need to protect themselves.

If you’re able, would you consider making a donation today and help us bring H.O.P.E. .

3 Easy Ways You Can make a Donation

1) Online

Make a Secure Online Donations with a Credit Card.

A PayPal account is not necessary to make donations.

Donate

2) Check By Mail

A donation can be made via mail-in check.

Please make checks payable to:

Lion’s HOPE Martial Arts Studio
Studio Office, 663 Sarver Road, Sarver, PA 16055

3) In-Person: Cash Donations

Donations of cash or check may be delivered in person to our studio located in Tarentum:

  Lion’s H.O.P.E. Martial Arts Studio, 216 W 9th Ave. #11, Tarentum, PA 15084, 724-410-8449.”

Lion’s HOPE Martial Arts Studio
216 W 9th Ave. #11, Tarentum, PA 15084

Ph: 724-410-8449

GET IN TOUCH

Lion's H.O.P.E. Martial Arts Studio

724-410-8449

mail@lionshopestudio.org

216 W 9th Ave. #11, Tarentum, PA 15084
(Inside The Clement)

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Lion's Hope Martial Arts Studio - Pittsburgh - Allegheny County

"The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1

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CONFLICT CONTINUUM/
SELF DEFENSE

Training Seminars

Conflict Continuum (women-only) and our Self-Defense training seminar (anyone) are each designed to help any person easily recall effective moves that will allow them to escape many types of physical attacks and can be learned in a few hours. This will not guarantee they will avoid or escape every attack, but this training provides ways to escape as well as how to avoid being a target before an attack.

Both training seminars use natural movements that are not complex or difficult to recall, and each one is a one-time event that lasts about 3 hours. Many people are pleasantly surprised that they, too, can learn to defend themselves, and they leave the seminar equipped and empowered.

CANE
DEFENSE

Self-Defense Training Program using Canes

One of the most overlooked tools that can be used for defending oneself from physical attack is the walking cane. Canes used to be carried by gentlemen and ladies. “Unlike today, sticks of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, served as symbols of wealth, power, symbol of allegiances and social stature.” (The History of Walking Canes, n.d.).

Today, walking sticks and canes are used for support when injured or unable to walk without assistance. People who carry or use a cane are viewed by society as weak, probable victims, rather than capable individuals.

Our training classes teach effective defenses to equip cane users. Men and women can defend themselves, as well as learn techniques for exercise, strengthening, and stretching.

MUNIO
SELF-DEFENSE

WORKSHOP

Our 1-hour self-defense class is a safe, fun, and exciting experience that combines self-defense education and hands-on practice using MUNIO in simulated common street attacks. MUNIO Self Defense Workshops are simple and unique and won’t overwhelm you with technical and physical complexity you may not remember.

Building on your natural ability to use MUNIO, you will practice easy methods that can rapidly disable an attacker and give you the opportunity to escape. This workshop is a great way to learn how to be prepared to fight back against an attacker and get away safely! The workshop fee includes the MUNIO design of your choice and is taught by our Certified MUNIO Instructor, Master Terry L. Durst.

Tactical Hapkido

Chon Sul Kwon | Korean-based martial arts

Hapkido is a “soft” martial art, meaning it is more self-defense and evasion, rather than aggression and attack. In Hapkido, we use armbars, joint locks, and parrys to end a confrontation. However, if it is warranted, we will use strikes and kicks to bring an end to the attack.

As a Korean-based martial art, Hapkido has a history that is rich and varied. A major defining trait of Chon Sul Kwon is that it is a Christian outreach program.

Our Grandmaster, Barry Rodemaker, is located in Erie, PA, and is available for seminars, teaching opportunities, and advice.

Training in Hapkido can supplement Cane Defense, Self-Defense, or Conflict Continuum training, and vice versa, as they all share many basic techniques.