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
Learn Hapkido in Korea
Learn Hapkido in Korea
The Learn Hapkido in Korea blog is dedicated to providing information relevant to traveling to Korea to learn Hapkido. There will be Hapkido training articles and information on Hapkido organizations that can provide you with Hapkido training in Korea.
So if it is one of your life's goals to visit Korea and learn authentic Hapkido while you are there then you need to visit www.learnhapkidoinkorea.wordpress.com and bookmark the site. Be sure to visit often as it will be updated weekly. Sponsored by www.haemukwan.com, www.worldmartialartsnetwork.ning.com and www.worldmartialartsmagazine.com .
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Seminar of Hapkido Cali Colombia
Cane Baston & Hapkido Techniques
Posted by Dr. Richard Hackworth. President & CEO American Dragon Martial Arts Academies Inc. Clermont Florida
Benefits of Training With Martial Arts Weapons
Benefits of Training With Martial Arts Weapons
There are many benefits and opportunities in martial arts training. Some of those benefits come from learning to use various martial arts weapons. Many traditional martial arts schools, especially those that teach Korean Hapkido and Chinese kung fu styles have weaponry as part of their overall curriculum. Popular weapons from Hapkido systems include the long staff, short stick, cane, sword, belt and fan. Chinese kung fu styles utilize broadsword, 3 section staff, kwan do, whip chain, butterfly knives as well as their own versions of the staff. Of course, there are many other types of weapons in martial arts but the above are the more common ones taught. Some of the more exotic weapons include the iron fan, rope dart and the hook swords.
Martial arts weapons can be divided into those for short and long range. An example of a short range weapon would be a pair of short sticks. The bo staff would be a long range weapon because of its longer reach. Weapons can also be divided into bladed and non-bladed. Knives and swords of course would be bladed weapons whereas staffs and canes would be non-bladed. In most training situations with bladed weapons, the blades are not live. That is, the blades of swords and knives are blunt rather than sharp. This adds to the safety aspect of martial arts weapons training. Weapons can also come in different weights from heavy traditional models down to ultra light weight modern versions for forms competition.
In Hapkido and other martial arts systems, weapons are considered as extensions of the martial artist’s own body. For example, strikes with a Hapkido short stick are really extended hand techniques. Blocks with weapons like the Hapkido cane or staff are modeled after traditional martial art empty hand blocking techniques. Therefore, it is important for martial arts students to be relatively proficient with empty hand techniques first before learning to use any martial arts weapon. This will help the students to better understand the applications behind each weapons technique much better. In most Korean Hapkido Federation schools, weapons training won’t be offered until students reach an intermediate level such as green or blue belt. There are martial arts that are strictly weapons oriented. An example is Korean kumdo which is modeled after shilla warrior sword fighting. Philipino arnis is stick fighting which was developed in the South Pacific islands.
In Hapkido I learned the many benefits in training with martial arts weaponry. Because most weapons have some weight to them, their use will help develop muscle tone and strength. Performing forms or poomse with weapons will also develop coordination. In today’s world, martial arts weapons may not be as practical as in past days when it was acceptable to carry weapons wherever one traveled. However, with some understanding of proper weapons techniques, a martial artist today can turn almost any household item such as an