What is Haemukwan Hapkido?
Introduction to Haemukwan Hapkido
by Richard Hackworth
What is Haemukwan Hapkido?
Haemukwan Hapkido is a form of martial arts that has its origins in Korea. It is based on principles shared by Karate, Aikido and Judo. The teachings of Hapkido are meant to use martial arts not as a means of purposely inflicting injury, but rather as a form of self-defense. Because Hapkido is more about self-defense, it is known as a soft form of martial arts. Haemukwan Hapkido focuses on developing the individual as a whole through complete mind, body and spirit training.
Definition of Hapkido
The word Hapkido means (hap) harmony, (ki) energy and (do) the method. Haemukwan means (hae) new, (mu) martial and (kwan) school or family. By using this philosophy, a person trained in Haemukwan Hapkido can use an opponent's own force of energy against him.
History of Hapkido
Hapkido was introduced during the Ko-Ryo Dynasty (918 A.D. to 1392 A.D.). It became a form of martial arts that was widely used until Japanese rule. It was reintroduced to Korea by Choi Young Sool in 1945. Richard Hackworth was the senior student of several of Choi Young Sool's original students. He combined their curriculum's under the Korea Hapkido Federation regulations. Since being officially recognized as a style of Hapkido in 2000, Richard Hackworth has visited countries around the world in order to promote the art through seminars and establishing new schools.
Types of Techniques
Haemukwan Hapkido uses techniques to defend against attacks with the use of pressure points, joint locks, strikes, kicks, chokes, strangles and using the opponents own force against them.
Training Philosophy
As with all styles of Hapkido, Haemukwan Hapkido is based on three principles: water principle, circle principle and harmony principle. With water principle, you use your movement like the fluidity of water, while using circle principle means redirecting your own energy through circular force and harmony principle means blending the two previous principles to balance your mind, body and spirit.
Developing Discipline
The physical and spiritual being of a practitioner of Haemukwan Hapkido is incorporated to develop the capabilities of self-defense. It also helps to harmonize your well being by keeping a state of peaceful balance.
About the author: Richard Hackworth is a Grand Master of Hapkido, Taekwondo and Korea Sword. Hackworth is best know as the host of “World Martial Arts TV” and the “World Martial Arts Radio Show” . You can hear his weekly radio show at www.worldmartialartsradio.com . To learn more about Richard Hackworth and the martial art of Hapkido subscribe to his free Hapkido e-newsletter at www.haemukwan.com . Feel free to check out his school website at www.americandragononline.com .
New Taekwondo and Hapkido School Clermont, Florida
New Hapkido School in Clermont, Florida
American Dragon Martial Arts Academies is EXPANDING! We have become so popular in Lake Country that we are adding a second location to better serve the community.
We now have a second Hapkido and Taekwondo location serving the West Clermont, Groveland and Mascotte area.
The location is at 1158 Fifth St. Clermont, FL 34711 at the intersection of Fifth Street and Hwy 50, just two blocks West of the Winn Dixie shopping center with classes in Taekwondo and Hapkido.
The Chief Instructor is former Korean Marine Corp Demonstration Team Captain 5th Degree Korean Hapkido and Taekwondo Master KiPyo Lee serving as Hapkido teacher. Grand Opening Party announcement coming SOON! Call 352-536-5063 for registration details. Registration starts August 17th, 2010. Watch our TV Show on World Martial Arts TV. Listen to our radio show on World Martial Arts Radio and read our Magazine at World Martial Arts Magazine.
NEW LOCATION COMING TO WINTER GARDEN, FLORIDA OCTOBER 2010
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5 Reasons Adults Over 50 Should Learn Hapkido
5 Reasons Adults Over 50 Should Learn Hapkido
Dr. Ronald W. Stone
American Dragon Martial Arts Academy
Clermont, Florida
This month I celebrate my 57th birthday and my 39th year in the martial arts. I assume this qualifies me to discuss the benefits of Hapkido for adults my age. Like many of my generation I am constantly amazed at the difference between the things my mind and heart are willing to do and the sad ability of my body to perform them. With the passing of time I become more and more convinced of the old adage that a man is merely a boy grown into a bigger body. The fellow who said "the mind is willing but the body's unable" wasn't kidding.
After I turned 45 years of age I began to notice aches and pains that I had never experienced before. I can still remember the first time I jumped down off a ladder and felt a strange sensation through my knees. When I was a youngster I didn't even think about having knees. They were merely areas where my leg bent. Now with the passing of time they are a constant source of discomfort and a reminder the truth behind the aging process. Like many "baby boomers" I lived high and ate well. Perhaps too well. By 1996 I had been diagnosed with Type Two Diabetes. I was never sick a day in my life until then and now not a day passes that I don't have some physical malady. Fortunately with modern medicine my diabetes improved and is relatively under control. Truthfully though, the single most important recommendation ever given me regarding control of my disease was to reenter the martial arts and to get back into shape. Although I started my studies in 1970 I had stopped training for a few years during which time I gained 95 pounds and grew apathetic.
Apparently I was not alone. Any statistical analysis of those in the population of men over 50 years of age will surely include a dramatic increase in obesity, heart disease and arthritis. Not all of this can be attributed merely to junk food. With modern transportation and an increasing dependence on television and the internet for entertainment, physical activity has decreased to an alarming degree.
Returning to the study of Hapkido has to no small degree been part of my salvation, and I am not referring simply to the benefits of exercise or to the control of Diabetes.
To understand all the benefits of Hapkido study for those over fifty years of age it is perhaps wise to review some of the needs of those in this age bracket. Often with age comes decreased physical fitness leading to:
- Cardiovascular weakness
- Obesity
- Decreased flexibility and ultimately arthritic changes
- Increased stress and loss of mental acuity
- Victimology. In other words the impression exists that the older you appear and the more out of shape you are the more likely you will be target for attack by felons.
Financial and work-related responsibilities unique to those in this age bracket often interfere with family life and social interaction. Very few men over fifty don't wish that they had more time to spend with their children or in the case of the typical working housewife could spend more time with husband and friends outside the house.
Hapkido is more than merely a set of self defense techniques. It is a complete martial art grounded in time tested and proven methods for improving both mental, spiritual and physical fitness.
Why women should learn Hapkido
At least 7 Reasons Women Should Learn Hapkido
Dr. Ronald W. Stone
American Dragon Martial Arts Academy
Clermont, Florida
In this day and age making a distinction of the benefit of martial arts training between men and women is becoming less pertinent. More simply put, as the role of women in the job force increases and with today's recognition that women are capable of more tasks than previously were allowed in a male dominated society, the more similar will be the benefits that training in Hapkido offer both males and females.
Traditionally one of the first benefits discussed whenever the subject of women in the martial arts comes up is the self defence aspect. The "women are the weaker sex" argument is always mentioned as a reason for them to consider training in the martial arts. While it is true that they are typically smaller and less muscular than their male counterparts, modern scientific studies have concluded that in most instances women are capable of more endurance and have a more resilient cardiovascular system than men.
With modern weight training techniques women can actually train to be more fit. While statistics as a class indicate they will never equal men in raw strength they often will surpass men in size to ability percentages.
What doesn't change however is the basic core hormonal differences that put women at risk to aggression. By this I mean that the testosterone driven male will always desire to overpower or dominate his female counterpart. Usually this is harmless and is either buried subconsciously or manifests romantically which most women can more than adequately handle verbally or with body language. In a small percentage of males however the sex drive or the desire to physically dominate and control the opposite sex is overwhelming and can result in cases of sexual aggression or domestic abuse.
Any woman can fall victim to these sorts of predators and things like age or physical appearance are sometimes not factors the predator concerns himself with. Being old, very young or atypical in appearance does not automatically eliminate a female from the threat of a predator or stalker.
The beauty of Hapkido is that it combines three fundamental principles, the water principle, the circular principle and the sum principle into a martial art that is ideal for female learners. Since it is both a hard and a soft art it utilizes the concept of not meeting force with resistance but rather being fluid when necessary, hard whenever possible and learning to use the opponents force against himself while concentrating one's own Ki energy in a focused manner against specific Ki and pressure points, against weak joint angles and using leverage against the opponent.
Instead of meeting hard force with hard force which will always give the advantage to the taller, more muscular opponent, Hapkido teaches its students to avoid, absorb, redirect, and trap the opponents attacks.
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
The American Dragon Martial Arts Academies Guarantee
American Dragon Martial Arts Academies Clermont, Florida
We offer flexible, Age-Appropriate Taekwondo and Hapkido Programs
You'll find a Taekwondo or Hapkido program at our school to match your age, skills and schedule. Choose from preschool and junior Taekwondo classes for children, Hapkido self defense classes for adults and our Black Belt programs for anyone who thrives on challenge.
Taekwondo and Hapkido Instructors Committed to Student Advancement
Nothing is more important to our Taekwondo and Hapkido instructors than their students' achievements and belt advancements. That is why our instructors are trained to teach individuals within a group setting. The group dynamic fosters reciprocal support, camaraderie and a competitive spirit, which our Taekwondo and Hapkido instructors carefully manage for maximum individual growth.
Continuous Training in Taekwondo and Hapkido, Teaching and Personal Development
Regardless of rank and experience, our Taekwondo and Hapkido instructors attend continuing education training through seminars, advanced courses and clinics to improve their teaching skills and participate in staff development programs to become better community leaders.
Their goal is simple: to be their best, so their Taekwondo and Hapkido students are able to be their best!
American Dragon Martial Arts Academies Instructors are Dedicated to Professional Excellence
As a member of the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association, the US National Taekwondo Association, and the Korean Hapkido Federation, our Taekwondo and Hapkido instructors are dedicated to community leadership, business integrity and professional ethics.
The American Dragon Martial Arts Academies Guarantee
We're so confident in our Taekwondo and Hapkido programs that if, within the first 30 days, you are not satisfied with your training, we will gladly refund your investment! No other school can stand behind their Taekwondo and Hapkido programs like we do. Don't Settle for Less!!!
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Hapkido Training Improves Your Health
Hapkido Class in Clermont, Florida is Healthier for Adults
Hapkido class at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies is more beneficial for most adults than standard exercise programs. You must experience our Hapkido class in Clermont, Florida to appreciate the difference. That is why we are offering a FREE week of Hapkido classes when you visit www.americandragononline.com.
Hapkido Class at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies in Clermont, Florida will help you get in better shape! Hapkido is a healthy, cardio exercise program as well as a scientific self defense sytem that offers many other benefits.
Hapkido training will help you relieve stress and tension. Hapkido as it is taught at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies in Clermont, Florida emphasizes total mind, body, spirit training. Hapkido not only relieves stress and tension, but also adjusts your attitude and gives you a more positive outlook.
Hapkido will give you a new level of confidence. Hapkido builds your confidence to confront and overcome daily challenges and the ability to defend yourself, if necessary. The Hapkido program at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies in Clermont, Florida is the most scientifically advanced self defense system taught in the world today. We have Lake County's only Hapkido instructors that are certified by the world headquarters in Korea. We teach reality-based, self-defense techniques under safe learning conditions to ensure that you are prepared to overcome a violent attacker.
At the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies Hapkido class learning is FUN! Adults are attracted to Hapkido because our classes are always fun and exciting, and that accelerates learning and progression. Visit www.americandragononline.com to get a FREE week gift certificated today!
Hapkido Classes Clermont Florida
Taekwondo and Hapkido Students in Clermont Florida get Positive, Personal Results visit www.americandragononline.com for details.
Only training like the Taekwondo and Hapkido classes in Clermont, Florida provide positive, personal results for every student. Participants train at an appropriate pace and level, based on their age and physical condition. The instructors at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies in Clemont, Florida are dedicated to helping all of their Taekwondo and Hapkido students reach any goals they choose: Self-confidence, self-defense, personal development, fitness, flexibility or even a Black Belt from the World Headquarters in Korea.
Get a FREE week of Hapkido classes in Clermont Florida when you visit www.americandragononline.com
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 .
To your success!
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Benefits of Hapkido Ki Breathing
The Benefits of Hapkido Ki Breathing
By: Dr. Ronald W. Stone, Hapkido Instructor, American Dragon Martial Arts Academies Clermont, Florida. Certified Hapkido Black Belt with the Korean Hapkido Federation
The most widely practiced controlled breathing exercise in Hapkido is identified as “DAN JUN Breathing.” This strengthens the thoracic musculature, the diaphragm and oxygenates the body in an effort to build a strong union between mind, spirit, and the body’s muscular skill and availability
The Dan Jun is believed by Hapkido practitioners to be the center of energy (KI) in the human body. Dan means red or fire and Jun means field, so Dan Jun can be interpreted as meaning the active source of power in the body. As the center of energy, it is the key to human vitality and strength.
Dan Jun is interpreted by some Hapkido masters as meaning the active source of power in the body. As the center of energy, it is the key to human vitality and strength. The Dan Jun is believed to be the center of energy (KI) in the human body and is located about three inches below the navel. Through repetitive and continual Dan Jun exercises, each individual will eventually determine the location of their own personal Ki energy center.
Physiologically the type of breathing performed during Hapkido Dan Jun exercises is described as Thoraco-abdominal breathing. During this type of inhalation and exhalation air is consciously drawn into the lower lungs by the strong use of the abdominal musculature rather than the normal and automatic shallow pattern which primarily passes air into the upper lungs.
For Hapkido practitioners it important to understand that the process of breathing has two components, ventilation and respiration. Ventilation is defined as the process by which air is moved through the respiratory system from the nose or mouth downwards through the trachea into the lungs. Ventilation can be automatic, that is controlled by the body’s autonomic nervous system, or it can be slowed or accelerated by conscious intention. The amount and rate of air flow will be determined by the size of the respiratory organs (nasal openings, throat, trachea lung capacity etc.) and the action of the respiratory musculature (intercostal muscles, diaphragm).
Respiration is the interchange of oxygen from the air with the tissues of the body. It is the reason ventilation exists. In the human body neither can exist without the other.