What is Hapkido?

Hapkido is a Korean martial art that evolved in the middle of the 20th century. As in Aikido, part of its technique are based on Japanese Daito Ryu Aiki Ju Jutsu.

Sogaku Takeda, Master of Daito Ryu Aiki Ju Jutsu, admitted a Korean student to his Dojo. After the master’s death the student returned to Korea. The man’s name is Choi, Young-Sul and is regarded as the founder of Hapkido.

Techniques of diverse Korean martial arts were later incorporated into Master Takeda’s techniques, such as Tae Kyon which also is considered a forerunner of Taekwondo.

Hap	Hap stands for " harmony ", " coordinated "or " joining "
Ki	stands for physical and spiritual energy
Do	" way "or " art "

Generally speaking, Hapkido is a martial art which serves as self-defence. For this reason Hapkido trains the students’ body. The results of this training can already be seen and felt after a short period of time. The student not only gains greater power and stamina but increases his flexibility and his coordination. Once he is more experienced the student is able to effectively face an attack. Having progressed this far he will perceive a shift in his (mental) attitude, because those who are sure to stand their ground in a physical conflict do not have to prove themselves in a fight but will rather try to avoid it. At this point the student accesses the inner aspects of the martial art. These cannot just plainly be described since every student must gradually experience them on his own.

The martial art of Hapkido features a great variety of techniques with or without the use of weapons. Anything serving for self-defence- such as punches and kicks, joint locks and throws- can be utilized. The most sensitive body parts of the opponent are attacked in order to create a maximum effect with a minimum effort. The objective hereby is to encounter any attack with a defence which is appropriate to the attack.

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