What is Hapkido? By Dong Kyun Kim
What is Hapkido?
by Grand Master Dong Kyun Kim
If you visit the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies school in Clermont, Florida you will see first hand that Hapkido is a Korean martial art of self defense. Hapkido means the "Way of Coordinated Power". Hapkido incorporates many aspects of self-defense skills such as joint locks, pressure points, throws, kicks, hand, knee, elbow and head strikes. Hapkido training includes traditonal weapons like short stick, middle stick, long pole, cane, belt, rope, knife, sword, and fan. Master level Hapkido weapons training can include, stone, coin and knife throwing. Some Hapkido systems have more exotic weapons like spear and broad sword.
The philosophy of Hapkido is to use minimal force to overcome a more powerful opponent. Great strength is not needed to apply the techniques of Hapkido effectively. Hapkido uses circular motion, non-resisting movements, and control of the opponent instead of strength against strength. Hapkido is often discribed a a blend of martial arts because it combines "soft" techniques similar to Aikido and Jujitsu with "hard" techniques such as Taekwondo and Tangsoodo. Hapkido is considered an effective self defense art that has become popular with the elite military and police units. Traditional techniques of Hapkido are effective even in our modern times. Hapkido's effectiveness for military hand to hand and close range combat
is another reason that it is widely used by law enforcement and military units. Hapkido striking techniques are more destructive and effective than many other arts because Hapkido emphasizes the use of vital points, pressure points, and joint manipulation. This combination makes Hapkido an extremely effective self defense art and the most scientifically advanced martial art.
As a Korean Marine Major and Commando Unit Leader I have also used TukongMuSool, and modern adaptation of Hapkido. My teaching has been influenced by my own combat experiences. This mix of traditional discipline with real world experience allows me speak from experience on the effectiveness of Hapkido. Not just from theory. I invite anyone interested in learning Hapkido to train at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies in Clermont, Florida. They have the only authentic and certified Hapkido program in the area. As the President of the Korean Hapkido Federation I am proud to say that the training program at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies is approved by the Korean Hapkido Federation.
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Korean Hapkido Federation President
Hapkido Grand Master Dong Kyun Kim
Leading the Future of Hapkido
In November of 2007 several of the Hapkido organizations united to form the Korean Hapkido Federation. This organization is dedicated to the support of Hapkido worldwide. Teaching the Korean standards for Hapkido on a worldwide scale has rarely been accomplished.
Grand Master Dong Kyun Kim is a R.O.K. Army Commando who has studied Hapkido all of his life. As a Commando he has also studied TukongMuSool. A military form of Hapkido that is also gaining popularity worldwide.
One of the goals of the Korean Hapkido Federation is to demonstrate the beauty of Hapkido around the globe. One way they have accomplished this is by encouraging the establishment of National Demonstration Teams. The Korean Hapkido Federation will be hosting the World Demonstration Team Championship in KwangJu, Korea. (Visit www.hapkido.militaryarts.kr for complete details). Martial Arts teams of all styles from around the world will be gathering in KwangJu to demonstrate the beauty of their arts.
Grand Master Dong Kyun Kim has decided to make himself as accessable as possible for training events to personally oversea the progression of raising the standards of Hapkido in all countries. He has been appointing national representatives in as many countries as possible. Grand Master Kim appoints natives of that country whenever possible. "Hapkido can only grow if foreign masters are given the same training and support as Korean masters." said Grand Master Kim. He went on to say: "Many of the Hapkido organizations were Korean based and did not teach the same level of Hapkido outside of Korea. Offering advanced certifications to non-Korean masters only as a way of generating income for the headquarters. We have put a stop to such promotion practices. ALL members of the Korean Hapkido Federation are given the same level of training no matter where they live in the world. We welcome everyone to join."
Before becoming the President of the Korean Hapkido Federation, Grand Master Kim was recognized as the world's leading expert on ancient Korean military arts weapons. A master of 16 ancient Korean weapons, Grand Master Kim also serves as the Vice President of the World Sword Arts Federation. (www.worldswordarts.org) He has encouraged Hapkido instructors to include many of these weapons in their systems to preserve these ancient fighting skills.
Grand Master Dong Kyun Kim invites everyone to visit Korea and participate in the World Demonstration Team Championships. If you would like to register a team from your country to participate in this historical event or to host Grand Master Kim for a Hapkido or Weapons seminar or promotion exam, please e-mail admin@worldmartialartsmagazine.com .
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