What is Hapkido?
Hapkido is a Korean Martial Art of self- defence, suitable for all ages and abilities. Hapkido is an easy-to-learn, complete art teaching:
- Throws
- Kick & Punches
- Joint Manipulation
- Pressure Points
- Free Fighting (non-contact)
- Takedowns
- Weapons
- Meditation
Literally, the term Hapkido is derived from three Korean words:
- Hap: the coordination of mind & body.
- Ki: the inner energy that is created and manifested through “Hap”.
- Do: the self-controlled and disciplined life necessary to create “Hap” and “Ki”.
Unlike most martial arts, Hapkido is a complete system teaching kicks, punches, pressure point techniques, throws, joint locks, weapons, free fighting, ki and meditation.
Many other martial arts are “hard” – they rely on physical power and are offense oriented. Hapkido is “soft” and defensive, emphasizing throws, twists and pressure point techniques.
Other martial arts emphasize tournaments, street fighting, and competitiveness. Hapkido emphasizes self-discipline and personal development.
Hapkido minimizes injuries with techniques that completely subdue the opponent.
In order to defend against attacks, Hapkido teaches corresponding offensive techniques. For instance, before teaching defence against kicks and punches, kicks and punches are taught. Before learning defences against weapons, students must learn how to use those weapons.
Chang’s Hapkido Academy’s complete approach stresses the importance of mind and body. Mastering Hapkido, or simply learning to fall properly or perform a new kick, is not only about body awareness and physical technique – the first and most important step is to liberate your mind.
Hapkido Principles
The three Hapkido principles aim to describe the philosophical ideas that define Hapkido. These fundamental concepts have relevance on both a physical and spiritual level.
WON – Circular Motion
The circle symbolises natural and continuous movement. In relation to an attackers punch – instead of blocking it with a direct counter block (meeting force with force), the circular principle is used to deflect or re-direct the force of the punch. Utilising a circle not only disrupts an opponent’s force, but also sets the position for a counterattack. In everyday life the same principle can be applied – if someone makes negative comments then these should not be countered with negative returns but be deflected in a circular way with positive ones.
The circle can also be thought of as an invisible area around oneself – if the attackers punch does not come inside this circle there is no need to block. Circular motion is also important in relation to the education of students. Techniques need to be revisited with the added knowledge acquired from having completed the circle.
HWA – Non-resistance or Harmony
At one level the harmony or non-resistance that we are trying to develop is within us – linking mind and body. In simple terms, one should be making sure that the body or senses are not dictating actions.
At other levels we should be trying to be in harmony with our environment and our opponent. In relation to a punch even though the force is directed straight at us, we should not oppose that force but instead go with it. In this way we harmonise with the force becoming one with it. In everyday life we should also be ensuring that there is harmony between mind and body, so that we are following the right path. Closely linked to harmony theory is the concept of “empty mind” – a mind free from impurities.
YEW – The Water Principle
Two of the characteristics of water are softness and adaptability. Softness in general is linked to life, whereas, hardness or brittleness is linked to death. Softness has the capacity to win against hardness. Hapkido is “soft” and defensive, emphasising throws, twists and pressure point techniques. As compared to some other Martial Arts that are “hard” – which rely on physical power and are offence-oriented. When training in Hapkido both the body and mind should become softer. Adaptability can be described in terms of deflecting an attacker’s punch; we are like water that has been penetrated by a stone: no sooner has the stone divided the water than it flows together again to surround and envelop the stone. Adaptability, constant flow, penetration and softness apply to actions within the do-jang as well as to life in general. For example, adaptability refers to adjusting positively to changing circumstances and finding the best path.
History of Hapkido
The history of Korean martial arts began about 16 centuries ago at approximately 372 A.D. At this time it was mainly the Buddhist Monks who began developing what fighting arts there were in Korea. Nobleman and people from the elite classes would secretly practise these fighting skills, taking care to keep their skills from the lower classes.
During this time, Korea was divided into three warring kingdoms: Paekche, Koguryo and Silla. Koguryu was the largest of the kingdoms and most often the aggressor. Silla, however, possessed the most advanced culture and it’s sophistication helped the small kingdom ward of it’s enemies.
In the 5th century, the kingdom of Koguryo invaded both Paekche and Silla. After holding off the invaders, Silla became even more united with new efforts to improve itself. One of the most important improvements was the creation of an elite fighting group called Hwarangdo. This group comprised of specially selected noblemen who excelled intellectually as well as physically. They were taught the arts of philosophy, science, verse, as well as Ki and martial arts skills. The Hwarangdo helped Silla defeat her enemies and unite all of Korea.
As the years passed, some masters began to specialise in specific areas such as kicks or throws; they developed individual schools that would later be known as Tae Kwon Do, Korean Kendo and Yew Sool, etc. Many monks and some martial art masters however, continued to teach, improve and modernize all the fighting techniques, practising a “complete” system under the name of hoshinsul (self-defense technques).
In 1904 Japan invaded Korea. After conquering the country the Japanese required the monks to take wives and banned all martial arts. Masters of the martial arts were forced to hide in the remote monasteries and mountains in order to be able to preserve and pass on knowledge to their disciples.
The martial art ban lasted 36 years until 1945. One master who withdrew to the moutains was Choi, Young Sool. During his 36 years in the mountains he helped to develop and modernize what we now call “Hapkido”. Another well-known name within Hapkido history is one of Choi’s disciples Ji, Han Jae. Master Ji was instrumental in reviving Hapkido in post-war Korea. He developed more kicks and techniques and helped Hapkido to flourish through the creation of a governmental organisation known as the Korean Hapkido Association.
Master Gedo Chang was a contemporary of Master Ji who learned Hapkido from his father, a Buddhist monk. In his twenties Master Chang left the mountains of Chungnam province and the monastery he had grown up in. Arriving in the city he became formally recognised as a master (1964) by the newly created Korean Hapkido Association. He then opened his school in Korea and called it Wol Ge Kwan which means “The Victor’s Laurel”. He was the first to develop Hapkido techniques specifically for police personnel. His teaching abilities so impressed the Korean Government, that they created a special award for “Best Martial Arts Instructor”, and presented it to Master Chang. In 1973, Master Chang moved to the United States of America and settled in Lombard, Illinois where he opened his first U.S. School, “Chang’s Hapkido Academy”. Since then he has demonstrated and taught throughout the USA and is currently President of the World Hapkido Union. Chang’s Hapkido Academy opened it’s first UK school in 1993 under Master Tammy Parlour.
Ki meditation training
Ki Meditation is a unique blend of breathing exercises, stretching, and meditation to help you relax, become more flexible, and to harness your inner energy.
Martial artists traditionally practiced meditation techniques as part of their daily training, to overcoming the fears and anxieties they might experience in battle. Though we may never be confronted by a physical attack, the majority of us are regularly struck down by fear, stress and anxiety.
Meditation can help to counteract the stress response. It does this by slowing heart rate, improving oxygen consumption, rebalancing hormones, settling the mind and boosting energy levels. Simply sitting quietly by yourself and bringing your attention to your breath is a great way to start reaping the benefits of meditation.
Meditation is not just a simple relaxation technique as some magazines seem to espouse. One might feel relaxed after meditating, but it is much more about wakefulness. This means moving beyond simply turning the volume down on our lives and really waking up to our full and unlimited potential. At a fundamental level, meditation is about understanding ourselves, our relationship to others and to the world outside.
A meditation class provides access to meditation techniques as well as helping to provide the support and discipline to make this a healthy habit. Our ki meditation class take offers protected time and space for you to develop your meditation practice.
Journalist Paul Brooks who attends Ki Meditation classes in London says, “The deep breathing exercises and gentle movements have a genuine calming effect and I consider what I have learnt and continue to learn in ki class a necessary life tool. It’s like finding a place of calm in the centre of a whirlwind and I now have the ability to find that quiet space within myself regardless of where I am or what I’m doing.”