Minitrez Martial Arts

Everyone wants to learn the flashy techniques, but real skill is built on the basics.

A strong foundation of proper stances, footwork, balance, blocks, strikes, and movement makes everything else possible.

The more advanced you become, the more you realize that mastery isn't about knowing more techniques—it's about performing the fundamentals exceptionally well.

Never outgrow the basics. They are the foundation upon which all martial arts skill is built.

We are incredibly honored and excited to announce that Senior Master Hank and Instructor Hellen have been invited to serve as featured presenters at an upcoming seminar during the World Karate Union Hall of Fame weekend in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

Being selected to teach alongside some of the most respected martial artists in the country is both a privilege and a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that Minitrez Martial Arts brings to the community.

The weekend will be especially meaningful as Senior Master Hank, a two-time inductee into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame, will welcome Instructor Hellen as she receives her first induction into the Hall of Fame.

This recognition reflects not only her technical skill and teaching ability, but also her commitment to empowering others through martial arts and self-defense.

We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to representing New Mexico on the national stage.

If you'd like to train with us, we'd love to have you join our martial arts family!

📍 The HUB Recreation Center – Enchanted Hills, Rio Rancho
🕕 Summer Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:00–7:00 PM

Come see why martial arts is about so much more than grappling, kicks and punches—it's about confidence, leadership, discipline, and becoming the best version of yourself.

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching martial arts is watching students grow and then recognizing that growth through promotion in rank.

A new belt acknowledges not only what they've accomplished, but the potential they continue to develop through hard work and perseverance.

Last night's promotion exam was filled with strong performances, determination, and confidence.

As always, students finished by breaking real 1-inch wood boards—not 3/8 inch dried out paulownia demonstration boards.

Since we never hit each other full force, board breaking provides a safe way to measure power, speed, accuracy, and most importantly, confidence.

Senior Master Hank and Instructor Hellen are incredibly proud of every student who stepped onto the floor and gave their best effort.

Thank you for continuing to show up, put in the work, and trust the process.

Congratulations to all who earned their promotion!

Another fantastic Women's Self-Defense Seminar at Santa Fe Community College is in the rearview mirror—and what a memorable one it was!

We had 22 women register, and 20 showed up ready to learn, train, and empower themselves.

What none of us knew was that today's lesson would include a real-world demonstration of one of our core principles:

Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

About an hour into the class, the entire college campus lost power. Shortly thereafter, we were informed that the fitness center had to be closed and evacuated.

No problem!

We relocated outside the main entrance and found some shade to continue training.

While we were there, a woman named Nicole walked up.

We explained that the fitness center was closed due to the outage but told her she was welcome to join us.

Without hesitation, she put down her bag and jumped right into class!

About 20 minutes later, campus security informed us that everyone had to leave campus completely due to liability concerns related to the power outage.

No problem!

We packed up once again and moved the class to a nearby park, where we found a large shade tree and continued working our stand-up self-defense techniques.

Normally, the final hour of class is devoted to ground defense skills on padded tumbling mats in the gym.

Looking around at our new surroundings, I asked the ladies if they were okay with getting a little dirty and practicing in the grass.

The response was a loud and enthusiastic YES!

What followed turned out to be one of the most realistic and memorable classes we've ever taught.

Real life doesn't happen in a perfectly lit gym with padded floors. Sometimes you have to adapt to the environment around you, and today these women did exactly that.

A huge thank you to every participant for your positive attitude, flexibility, and determination.

And thank you to my incredible co-instructor, Hellen, for helping turn what could have been a disaster into one of our best seminars yet.

Twenty-one women left with new skills, increased confidence, and a great story to tell.

Next Women's
Self-defense class: in Albuquerque this Saturday, June 20th from 1-4 p.m.

We'll have electricity... hopefully. 🤣

Sign up here:

https://momence.com/l/MjhLx6B4

So much fun at another Self-Defense Seminar at Santa Fe Community College!

While many of our seminars are geared toward women, this general self-defense course attracted both women and men from a wide range of ages and backgrounds.

Regardless of experience level, everyone shared the same goal: learning practical skills to stay safe and more confident in everyday life.

When people hear "self-defense," they often think of punches, kicks, and physical techniques.

While we certainly covered those skills, self-defense begins long before a physical confrontation.

It starts with awareness, confidence, setting boundaries, and finding your voice.

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is watching participants discover that they are often far more capable than they realize.

We emphasize that personal safety is not about size, strength, age, or athletic ability.

It's about mindset, preparation, and the willingness to act when necessary.

Throughout the day, participants practiced verbal boundary-setting, learned how predators often select targets, and developed practical skills to respond to common attacks.

Most importantly, they left knowing they have both the right and the ability to protect themselves.

Thank you to Santa Fe Community College for continuing to support these programs and to everyone who attended.

Your willingness to step outside your comfort zone, learn new skills, and invest in your own safety is inspiring.

Remember: Your voice matters. Your boundaries matter. And you are worth defending.

Stay tuned for upcoming classes throughout New Mexico, including Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Socorro and points beyond. We are a state-wide program!

Another outstanding Women's Self-Defense Seminar in Rio Rancho!

We welcomed both returning participants and first-timers, and once again it was amazing to watch confidence grow in real time.

One participant shared a concern about being grabbed from behind in a bear hug—a very real fear for many women.

Fortunately, that's a defense Senior Master Hank has been teaching for decades and is a key part of this course.

Within minutes, the ladies were successfully escaping bear hugs and discovering just how capable they truly are.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, worked hard, and supported one another.

Stay tuned for our next Women's Self-Defense Seminar at The HUB in Enchanted Hills, Rio Rancho, NM.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Today’s class was a reminder that real-world self-defense doesn’t happen in perfect conditions inside an air-conditioned dojo/dojang.

We took our training outside and embraced the elements — blazing sun, rain (yes rain AND sun at the same time - this IS NM LOL), strong winds, uneven ground, slippery grass that made pivoting difficult, and restrictive clothing that forced everyone to adapt.

That’s the point.

Real confrontations don’t happen on smooth mats with ideal footing.

They happen in parking lots, parks, sidewalks, and unpredictable environments.

Today, our students learned to push through discomfort, fatigue, and environmental challenges while building cardio, muscle strength, mental toughness, and adaptability.

We also focused on “iron arm” training — learning how to block a real punch with a real block using greater power and conditioning.

It’s not about looking flashy. It’s about preparing the body and mind for realistic impact and pressure.

Proud of this group for showing grit, resilience, and the warrior mindset today.

Rain or shine… we train. 💪🥋

See us at the HUB Rec Center in Enchanted Hills Mon, Tues, Thurs 5:30 - 6:30 pm.

A heartfelt thank you to Grandmaster Bob Gomez of Island Style Kajukenbo for arranging to have Bruce Lee’s widow, Linda Lee, autograph photos of Bruce Lee for Master Hank and Instructor Hellen.

What an incredible and meaningful gesture from true martial arts legends.

We are deeply grateful for your kindness and support of our ongoing mission to empower women through practical self-defense training.

Your encouragement means more than words can express. Thank you, Grandmaster Gomez! 🙏🥋

Our next Women's Self Defense Seminar in Rio Rancho is Saturday, May 30th from 9am to Noon at the HUB Rec Center in Enchanted Hills.

Age 12 and up, $30/person.

Call/text 505-226-5526 to register!

At our recent Level 3 (Advanced) Women’s Self-Defense Seminar, Black Belt Team Master Hank and Instructor Hellen taught participants how everyday items can become lifesaving improvised weapons in a real-world encounter.

A soda bottle, lipstick case, cell phone — even a Sharpie — can help create an opportunity to escape and survive against a larger, stronger assailant. The key is mindset, awareness, and learning how to use the tools already around you.

The next Rio Rancho Women’s Self-Defense Seminar (Level 1 & 2) is Saturday, May 30th from 9 a.m. - Noon at the HUB Rec Center in Enchanted Hills.

💥 Women ages 12 and up
💥 $30/person
📞 Call/Text 505-226-5526 to register!