Hapkido is a Korean martial art . It is a form of self-defense that uses locks, pressure points, throws, kicks, and punches. Practitioners of Hapkido train to counter the techniques of other martial arts. There are also traditional weapons such as short sticks, ropes, nunchaks, and swords. Hapkido focuses on both short and long-range combat. By using good footwork and the body well, one tries to overcome stronger opponents.
History of Hapkido
The birth of modern hapkido can be traced to a group of Korean nationalists in the post-Japanese colonial period of Korea led by Choi Yong Sul. His most prominent students were Suh Bok Sub, Ji Han Jae, Kim Moo Hong and Myung Jae Nam. Choi Yong Sul was sent to Japan as a young boy and returned to Korea with techniques that resemble a precursor to Aikido. A controversial story says that Choi was adopted by Takeda Sokaku at the age of 11. He lived and trained with the master in a dojo on Mount Shin Shu for over 30 years. This story is disputed by those who say that Choi was merely a simple worker in Takeda 's home. The truth, as always, lies somewhere in the middle.
Choi's first student was Suh Bok Sub and he was the first to open a doho. In 1948, when Suh Bok Sub was still in his 20s, he had already earned a black belt in judo and graduated from Korea University. After seeing Choi successfully defend himself against a group of men, he asked Choi to teach him the art. In 1951, Suh opened the first real dojang and named it the Korean Yu Kwan Sool Hapki Dojang. The first symbol, designed by Suh, that was used to identify the art was an inward arrowhead. During this period, Choi worked as a bodyguard for Suh's father who was a congressman. Suh claims that in 1959, he and Choi decided to shorten the name to hapkido.
Principles of Hapkido
On the hard/soft scale of martial arts, hapkido falls somewhere in the middle. It uses the soft techniques of Jiu Jitsu and the hard techniques of Taekwondo . Hapkido is an eclectic martial art and different hapkido schools apply different techniques. Some core techniques are used in every school and all techniques must follow the three principles of hapkido:
- No resistance (Hwa)
- Circle principle (Won)
- Water/harmony principle (Yu)
Hwa , or no resistance, is the art of relaxation. If an opponent pushes a hapkido student in the chest, he will not resist but will step back and use the opponent's forward momentum to bring him down.
Won , the circle principle, is a way to gain momentum and then execute the techniques naturally. If an opponent attacks in a straight line, the hapkido student catches this attack and then uses the opponent's power against him in a circular pattern.
Yu , the water principle, can be explained as the power of water. Hapkido is a soft sport and is not 100% dependent on power. Just like water, it is soft to touch. Just like water, Hapkido is adaptable.
Techniques
Hapkido is an extensive fighting style and tries to come across as broadly as possible. Therefore, there is a deliberate intention not to train on specific techniques. Many tactics are taught regarding strikes, throws and locks. Some styles also focus on ground fighting and then mainly on escaping from holds.
To kick
The great variety of kicks in hapkido makes the sport truly Korean. Taekwondo kicks are very similar to the many kicks found in hapkido, although the emphasis is on the circular movement. In contrast to most modern taekwondo styles, there is a lot of kicking and sweeping below the waist. The most common kick is the low heel kick. A kick is mainly given to put a lot of power behind the movement instead of quickly pulling back the leg. Traditionally, kicks were only to the lower body, but with the rise of other martial arts, kicks to the head were also used. Most forms of hapkido have a series of double kicks that are used to maintain balance. An example of a double kick series:
- front kick -> side kick
- front kick -> back kick
- front kick -> round kick
- forward heel kick -> round kick
- low side kick -> high side kick Handshakes
Like many other martial arts, hapkido uses many punches and hand strikes, but also elbow strikes. A distinctive technique within hapkido is the knife hand, which can transfer a lot of energy. This strike is often used to weaken the opponent and then apply a lock. Also, the fingernails are used and then the eyes and throat are targeted. Also, the scrotum is pulled in conventional training.
Joint clamps
Many of the control techniques in hapkido are derived from aikijujutsu. They are taught in the same way as in aikido but the techniques are more streamlined. In hapkido, a lock is applied to both the large joints (elbow, shoulder, neck, back, knee and hip) and the small ones (wrist, fingers, toes and jaw). Most techniques use the principle that force is applied to the joint so that it moves against its natural direction. Hapkido is best known for its use of wrist locks. These techniques are derived from Daito-ryu aikijujutsu although the exact execution may differ. Locks on the elbow are also often used.
Throwing techniques
In addition to throws that are performed after the opponent has been unbalanced by a lock, there are also throws that are performed without the use of a lock. Some of these techniques can be found in judo. Many of the first hapkido practitioners had a judo background.
Weapons
As a hapkido student progresses through the different grades, he also learns to handle different weapons . The first weapon that is trained is the knife. Another weapon is the short baton. Then techniques and defenses against the long stick and the rope are treated. Many hapkido organizations also train on the sword, the nunchaku and other weapons.
