Name of School
Yennie Martial Arts
Chief Instructor
Master Shawn Yennie – Sah Dan
How many years with WTSDA
14 - Transferred to WTSDA in 2012, after receiving the blessing from Grandmaster Shin, before his passing.
Training History and YMA Lineage
I started my journey in 2002 at 20 years old, under the instruction of Mr. Tom Yennie. Tom Yennie (my uncle) was like a father to me growing up. Although we were close, I had no idea that he taught martial arts until a family gathering in 2001, I mentioned to him that I was in search of a place to train MMA and he told me to come try out his classes in Spring Valley, MN. We were training in Sim Moo Do and hybrid style Hapkido and Chung Do Kwan (Tae Kwon Do). In 2006, we transferred to the Universal Tae Kwon Do Brotherhood (WTF). I tested for my Cho Dan (1st degree) in 2008. And shortly after, Mr. Tom Yennie was looking to start another location and asked me to take over the Spring Valley location. I took over the Spring Valley location with 4 active students not including me or my daughters. I grew the Spring Valley location and decided to open the Chatfield, MN location in 2009. When I started, the name of my school was Spring Valley Martial Arts, and after opening the Chatfield location I changed my school’s name to Yennie Martial Arts. At that point, Mr. Tom Yennie had stepped away from his school in Byron, MN. I talked him into rejoining and helped him start the Plainview, MN, and he started under the Yennie Martial Arts name, (which he would later change to Academy of Martial Arts in 2015). I tested for my E Dan (2nd degree) in 2011, under the Universal Tae Kwon Do Brotherhood. I transferred my two schools and roughly 60 -80 students to World Tang Soo Do Association in 2012, under the blessing of Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin. I tested for my Sam Dan (third degree) in 2014, just two short years after transferring into the WTSDA and learning all new curriculum. I started my training in Haidong Gumdo and World Haidong Gumdo Federation in 2015 under the influence of Mr. Justin Koivisto and under the direction of Master Robert Frankovich. I started my Ki Gong training in 2015 and was awarded level 3 (yellow shirt) in 2019. I opened the Grand Meadow location in 2017 and ran it for two years before passing the instructor duties to my daughter Ms. Kaija Yennie in 2019 and eventually passing it on to Mr. Sean Hansen in 2021. I opened the St. Charles location in 2018 and ran it for three years before passing the instructor duties to Mr. Ethan Nichols in 2021. In 2021, I opened the Lanesboro location and led that program for two years before passing the instructor duties to my daughter Ms. Tayla Yennie in 2023. I was awarded the rank of Sah Dan (4th Degree) Master Instructor in May of 2023. I was chosen to become the Region 3 Assistant Regional Director (ARD) in Sept 2025.
When did your club begin
2008
Current number of active students
With 5 locations, YMA usually averages 140 – 180 students but have been up to 220 in the past. I have graduated 37 students from the gup rank to black belt and currently have 5 Sam dans preparing to eventually become Masters.
Specialty/Favorite things to teach
I, of course, enjoy teaching all aspects of martial arts: Weapons, Forms, One-steps, Sparring etc.. But I really love to teach adaptations, modifiers, exercises and drills specifically designed to allow all different body types, ages and abilities to be successful.
Personal/Martial arts goals
My personal goals are geared more towards development of the next generations of leaders in YMA and Region 3. I have enjoyed many accomplishments over the years and find way more joy in seeing others find success and reach their goals.
What do you love the most about your school
The culture! Hands Down… YMA is a big family
Who are the biggest influences
I have had many influences over the years. Mr. Tom Yennie, Master Grissom, Master Mattox, Master Jensen, Master Grothe, Mr. Greg Blum, Mr. Matt Cruz, Mr. Doug Lewis, Mr. Justin Koivisto have all helped me in one way or another and I appreciate all of them, but the biggest influence I have had is my wife Mrs. Amie Yennie. She is the biggest factor in all areas of the person I am today.
Studio accomplishments
Yennie Martial Arts has had multiple Dan Cups, Gup Cups, Grand Champs, Demo teams. We have been a catalyst for rebuilding Region 3 when we joined the WTSDA in 2012 as far as tournaments, clinics, Dan camps and building and storing all the regional equipment after the departure of the regional director prior to Master Grissom. But the accomplishment I am most proud of is the ability to help the members of our communities through the program Kickin’ for Cancer! Every year since 2011 Yennie Martial Arts has raised money through pledges to participate in a kick-a-thon. We started small, giving money to American Cancer Society and eventually moved to donating the proceeds directly to families in our communities who are affected by cancer or other life changing challenges. We recently have been able to donate and split the proceeds into four different families each year.
