Hapkido

Hapkido is a Korean martial art whose name is literally translated as "joining-energy-way," and taken together is "the way of coordinating energy." The history of Hapkido is rather confused, but Korean sources attribute it to two Koreans, Choi Yung Sul and Ji Han Jae. According to these sources, Choi Yung Sul traveled to Japan at an early age to work as a house boy for an aikijutsu master.

When Choi returned to Korea, he began to teach the martial arts he had learned in Japan. One of his students, Ji Han Jae incorporated traditional Korean kicking and punching techniques, and in 1959 gave his new blend of martial art the name hapkido- the Korean pronunciation of aikido.

Hapkido is an eclectic martial art, and different hapkido schools emphasize different techniques. However, some core techniques are found in every school, and all techniques follow the three principles of hapkido: fluid motions, circular motion, and harmony in motion.

These motions consist of throws and locks derived largely from aikijutsu. They are similar to aikido techniques, but in general are smaller motions. Most of the techniques incorporate a combination of unbalancing the attacker and applying pressure to specific places on the opponent's body.

The wide variety of kicks used in hapkido makes the martial art distinctly Korean. In general, they are similar to Taekwondo kicks, though circular motion is emphasized. Some varieties of hapkido allow only kicks to the lower body, but traditional hapkido also includes high kicks and jumping kicks. The kicks used in hapkido are more extensive than in most other Korean martial arts.

Like most martial arts, hapkido employs a large number of punches and hand strikes. A distinctive form of hapkido hand technique is the "live hand" strike, which focuses energy to the hand, producing high energy strikes.

Hapkido training takes place in a dojang (Japanese dojo). While training methods vary, a typical training session involves technique practice, gymnastics, solo form practice, sparring, and exercises. Although hapkido is considered a "soft" or internal art, training is very vigorous and demanding. Strength, however, is not a prerequisite of hapkido, as the strength that is needed will develop naturally as a result of training.