Hapkido is a dynamic and multifaceted Korean martial art that seamlessly blends power, fluidity, and philosophy.
What Is Hapkido?
Hapkido is a Korean Martial art that is a hybrid form of self-defence that employs a wide range of techniques. Hapkido employs both long-range and short-range fighting techniques and utilises jumping kicks and percussive hand strikes at longer ranges, and pressure point strikes, joint locks, and throws at closer fighting distances.
What it includes:
- Joint Locks
- Grappling
- Chokeholds
- Throwing Techniques
- Kicks
- Punches
- Kinfes
- Swords
- Rope
- Nunchaku (nunchuks)
- Can
- And Much More!
The Origins of Hapkido
Hapkido originated in post-colonial Korea and is primarily rooted in the teachings of Choi Yong-sool, who returned to Korea after living in Japan for 30 Years. He brought with him techniques from Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, a Japanese martial art known for joint locks and redirection tactics.
Rather than forming Hapkido alone, Choi’s early students were instrumental in evolving the art. They combined the Japanese base with traditional Korean striking arts such as Taekkyeon and Tang Soo Do, and incorporated elements from Judo, like throws and ground techniques.
Hapkido shares some philosophical roots with Japanese Aikido (they even use the same Chinese characters), but Hapkido evolved distinctly in its execution, application, and identity as a Korean Martial art.
The Styles of Hapkido
Hapkido has evolved into a broad family of styles, each emphasising different aspects of the art, some leaning into traditional joint locks and throws, while others focus on modern self-defence or spiritual development.
Traditional Hapkido
Rooted in Choi Yong-sool’s original teachings, this style emphasises joint locks, throws, pressure points, and circular motion. This style is often referred to as Yoo Sool or Hapki Yu Kwon Sool in early forms.
Sin Moo Hapkido
This style is founded by Ji Han-Jae, who was one of Choi’s prominent students. His style integrates meditation, breathing techniques, and philosophical elements, also known for it’s fluid kicks, spiritual focus and weapon techniques.
Combat Hapkido
This style of Hapkido was developed by John Pellegrini in the U.S., and this style is seen as a modern, practical self-defence system that excludes the traditional forms (hyung) and focuses on real-world applications of the techniques.
Benefits of Training In Hapkido
Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Training in Hapkido not only helps improve your focus and mental clarity via the precision and focus needed for the joint locks and the timing-based techniques. Hapkido can also provide stress relief through the rhythmic flow of circular movements and breathing techniques that help calm the nervous system.
Physical Benefits
Hapkido creates an environment that combines striking, grappling, and acrobatics to develop strength, flexibility, and endurance, all while building improved balance and coordination using a wide range of techniques.
Practical Self-Defence
Hapkido is deeply rooted in Korean martial ethics, as the art emphasises redirection and control over domination, which can help foster a sense of harmony over aggression.
Hapkido stands as a living expression of balance between tradition and innovation, force and redirection, body and mind.
