 |
|
Hapkido is one of the most complete martial arts.
Hapkido is a combat martial art which emphasizes practical self
defense with the hard and soft techniques of disciplines such as TaeKwonDo,
Akido, Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo.
Hapkido is a kicking and punching martial art, very much like other karate styles; but,
Hapkido also teaches:
- How to overcome a heavier opponent
- Joint locks, holds and take downs
- Flipping and throwing
- Disabling an opponent with pressure points
- Empty hand defense against a weapons attack
- Weapons against weapons
|
 |
| Hapkido, which is one of the
youngest of the Oriental Martial Arts, has been evolving in Korea over the past 600 years.
This style draws upon many of the underlying techniques of the more traditional martial
arts. Hapkido is a combination of judo, karate and aikido. A mixture which helps students
achieve a true balance of action, mediation, speed and power. Students start
with learning basic techniques (such as the round house kick as part of
orange belt training), with emphasis on how to properly execute them.
These basic techniques are revisited as combinations in later belts to
refine the student's understanding, and to enhance their coordination.
|
| Hapkido is
a balanced martial art and includes among its techniques many of the same kicks, punches
and blocks common to many of the other martial arts. Hapkido extends further to include a wide
variety of techniques to escape from holds and grabs, to avoid and evade attackers and to
throw and control opponents. Many of these techniques require little strength to be
effective and are therefore ideal for children, women and the elderly.
Weapon techniques (both offensive and defensive) are added as students
progress though their training.
|
| Hapkido's emphasis on real life situations has made this
style popular among armed forces world wide. At the same time, it gives youngsters a way
to protect themselves and cultivates within each pupil a sense of discipline and respect.
It is self-defense, not a sport like other techniques. The principles
of Hapkido (water, circular, sum) emphasize using the opponents
aggression to your advantage.
|
Additional Information
Instructors attend quarterly seminars to review and learn new
techniques and training skills.
Also check out our list of Black Belts
which have assisted or instructed classes over the years.
|
International Daemoo Hapkido Martial Art Association 
