Welcome to Hapkido 101!

Philosophy of Hapkido

The study of physics, geometry, psychology, and physiology are the base of a very important program when studying Hapkido as well as Chiropractic.
Hapkido's techniques are applied by combining physics, geometry, psychology, and physiology much like it's brother art, Aikijujutsu. Hapkido and Aikijujutsu differ only by Hapkido's skillful implementation of dynamic below waist level kicks. Kicks are learned to learn defense against kicks and hand strikes learned to defend against hand strikes. It was this difference in mind that Hapkido was created by Choi Yong-Sul, producing a dynamic balance of both methods of defense and attack within each technique. The sword and staff (long and short) are the main weapons we train with and which all empty hand techniques come from. The study of Chiropractic is encouraged for all of our certified instructors.

The simplest definition of theory can be found in the translation of the word Hapkido: "The way to harmony through body and mind coordination."
HAP=harmony, KI=body and mind coordination, DO=the way. Uem / Yang, or the concept of balance through "full circle wholeness" (mental, physical, spiritual) is the cornerstone of Hapkido philosophy. Using your opponents "energy" against them has no religious meaning. It's simply physics, you will see as you read further. Spirit refers to the person (who you are). Mind refers to emotion and thought (choices). Body refers to the physical body.

Part of Hapkido's Instructor's Courses is Chiropractic.

The keys to creating the balance mentioned above can be found in the

Principles of Hapkido

Yoo (Water - Liquid/Solid/Gas)
Won (Geometry/Circle)
Hwa (Physics/non-resistance)
Seang-Ni-Hak (Physiology) Meom (Body)
Shin (Mind) Shim-Ni-Hak (Psychology)

THEORY OF YOO (flowing, as in water):

Softness, adaptability, strength, patience, conformity - all ideas which are present in the Eastern mind, and indeed in the mind of the Hapkido practitioner when thinking of the theory of Yoo. Water never struggles with any object that it encounters! It exhibits tremendous patience and adaptability in it's engagement with any obstacle it faces during the natural 'downhill flow'. Rather than rising in direct conflict with an adversary, the Hapkido student seeks to join with, or adapt to the opponent and their motions, in order that a the 'clashing' so commonly seen in many martial arts, is avoided. Although this is a demonstration of a keen ability to adapt, it is important to realize water never changes itself. The Hapkido practitioner must learn to adapt in this same way.

If a stream comes upon a rock in its downhill flow, it merely goes around it. If this rock is too large for the water to go around, the water will be patient, collecting until it rises to a level which allows it to flow over or around this obstruction. Similarly, as we "go with the flow" in the execution of our techniques, when we are pushed, we pull; when we are pulled, we push. In comparing an opponents defenses to an obstacle, a rock for instance, it should be noted that although the water can simply flow over or around the obstruction, it also eventually permeates every pore and completely engulfs the obstacle. This type of counter-attacking 'mind-set' is practiced in Hapkido through the very nature of the techniques and combinations which we train with every day.

Softness is another characteristic of water that relates to the understanding of Hapkido. We must accept the fact that softness has the capacity to win over hardness. It has been said that, "stiff and unbending is the disciple of death, while soft and yielding is the disciple of life." If you think of a Willow tree; during life, it's branches are flexible and resilient; but after death, they become hard and brittle. When thinking of water, however, it may be made to break up, but invariably, it will join together again.

Water has no shape. If you put it into a box, it becomes square; put it in a circle, it becomes round; freeze it, it becomes solid. Although constantly adapting to its environment, water remains basically unchanged. As for water's forcefulness, one need only observe a high water fall to be reminded of the force behind this very same soft and adaptable, yet forceful liquid.

A Hapkido principle that concerns a maximum use of force at one time can be easily explained when compared to the flow of water out of something like a fire hose, for example. One person can easily remove the hose from a fire truck; in this instance, it is light and flexible. However, when it's connected to a hydrant and water is forced through it, this same hose becomes very heavy and rigid. It now demands three people to handle it due to the concentration of water at one point beyond the nozzle of the hose. Hapkido compares a persons 'Ki' power to the water in a fire hose. You should be able to concentrate all of your power in one direction toward one point.

THEORY OF WON (circle):

A circle represents the perfect geometric figure. Every person has his or her own circle that is their "private space." It is this circle that we seek to protect. An opponent's attack should be met with a graceful, circular defensive motion. We choose not to meet an opponent's force with direct force. Instead, we choose to lead this oncoming force in a circle, deflecting it, so as to minimize its effect. Therefore, we end up redirecting an opponents force against himself. We should think of this circle as a form of least resistance; always moving (active), and therefore difficult to hold or grasp.

Because the student of Hapkido chooses to deflect an attack in a circular manner, he/she gains an immediate advantage in several ways. First, injuries are less likely to the defender when the attack is not met squarely. Second, the defender sets up the opponent for a powerful, nearly unavoidable, counter-attack. Third, the opponents balance, the very thing he needs most, is destroyed. And lastly, the opponents body position is controlled so as to afford the defender the option of a much more devastating, continuous, circular combination of counter-techniques. During joint manipulations, the circle theory is applied by bluffing the attacker into a motion that is overcome by the defenders counter-circular force.

THEORY OF HWA (harmony or non-resistance):

The learning of Hapkido is accomplished through the continuous generation of harmony between mind, body, techniques, and environment. Harmony is the most important element one should strive to achieve through their training. How often in your training do you feel that your mind has "learned" a new technique, only to find that your body is not embracing this new knowledge as rapidly as you desire? Each time we perform a technique, connections are made between the brain and the muscles which control the movements of the technique. Every maneuver you learn through Hapkido training has it's own special 'control center' inside the brain. We practice what we are shown countless times so that our body and mind will eventually act as one unit in response to a confrontation.

After one achieves harmony within himself, the next requirement is to harmonize with one's opponent. Having accomplishing this, the Hapkido student will find it quite easy to control the movements and energy of an opponent. We seek to blend or harmonize with the attack to create the defense. The words "non-resistance" are often substituted for harmony in defining the theory of Hwa. Before an attack can be directed in a circular manner, it must first be received or intercepted with a non-direct block or maneuver, thus allowing a harmony to be created using the opponents oncoming force to fuel the defending motion.

Following this, learning to harmonize with one's environment is the next stage. The final task is blending the harmony that one has developed with himself, his opponent, and the environment, with that of the techniques.

Once the mind and body are unified (Ki), the techniques will feel "natural." It is not enough to merely know the technique; this knowledge must become reflexive, or "second nature." Which takes us to the next step of Hapkido 101!

Physics, Geometry, Physiology, and Psychology.

Put on your thinking caps for this!

Physics.
The defender must become the center of motion, like a spinning top. A Typhoon is a perfect example of this. In a typhoon, water/air spins around absorbing everything to its center and at the same time throwing everything out away from its center as long as it's motion is continuous and keeping perfect balance between all movments within itself. Moving from it's center. If you want to destroy a typhoon, you must first get to its center (if you can). What can withstand the force of a typhoon? All body movements must be fluid like water. This means your techniques must be adaptable. Water in a river will pull a pebble with the current, go around a boulder, or carve a valley through a wall of rock. The act of dripping water can drill a whole in stone. A continuous and fluid motion in the right direction makes for a most destructive force. Also, moving in many directions at one time while maintinaing a single movement and balance.

Geometry.
To unbalance the converging body so as to throw or pin, manipulating human physiology causes it to happen without using an aggressive force or muscle strength. There is a huge difference between strength and power. A law of geometry that says in a circle, any angle formed using two points on the circle that are opposite each other (or form the diameter), if you draw lines from each of them to the same place anywhere on the circle, it will form 90 degree angles, and thus perpendicular lines. You must also take into consideration all the angles contained within a sphere. In other words, no matter how they attack there is an oposite and complimentary angle to defend with. The entire use of geometry in Hapkido is to deflect the attack, not to "block" it using brute force. The perfect compliment to physics, keep the momentum going and redirecting the attackers "energy" as to create unbalance within a sphere. Their body WILL follow their forced direction of attack.

Physiology.
There are many vulnerable spots on the human body called pressure points or trigger points. The locations of these vital spots usually coincide with that of the nerves, blood vessels, and internal organs. When these vital spots are stimulated, the result can be anything from severe pain, to impairment, to death. Permanant or temporary damage of the internal organs is an emense concern. You can alter the function of the organ as well as the form. The later having absolutly deadly results. Points can be hit, push, or rub and from an angle that is personal to each point. Every pressure point has its own way of stimulation. Some are complex points which can be stimulated more than one way. Just because someone knows where pressure points are doesn't mean they know HOW to use them. You may know where Korea is but, to really know Korea and all its roads, rivers, railways and so forth, you must study it in depth. This knowledge is necessary for a successful defense. Remember also that the joints are only designed to move within their "parameters of motion" as perscibed by the laws of human physiology. The pressure points realease the joints so that they may be displaced or completely dislocated during the course of a technique.
You do not need "brute force" to disassemble the joints or cause internal injury.

Psychology.
Hapkido is a way of physical and mental (psychological) coordination. Every movement requires the coordination of both the mind and body acting in unity. Consistent practice is necessary to maintain this coordination. Repetition is the way to build relfex and muscle memory as well as pushing it deep within your subconscience. Hapkido is an art of dynamic motion which means more than just a quick reaction. Reaction means "thought before action". It is reflex, NOT reaction! You have no time to think when being attacked. Remember, If they don't attack, they don't get hurt. Don't ever feel sorry for defending yourself.

Go to "What is Hapkido?"

Go to "What is Ki?"

Go to "Hapkido Etiquette"