Hap Ki-Do
What is Hap Ki-Do?
Hap Ki-Do is a form of self-defense that encompasses a wide array of skills. Anyone, of any age, shape, or weight can utilize these skills. The philosophy of Hap Ki-Do is based on the oriental philosophy UM YANG, which is deeply rooted in Korean history. Um Yang means positive and negative, or action and reaction. In this philosophy, both positive and negative energy is needed to live a full and healthy life. The same goes with the self-defense aspect of the art. In order to overcome adversity or violence, you must redirect it (the adversity or violence) until your opponent is under your control. Hap Ki-Do is one of the worlds’ most versatile martial art, with about 5000 Techniques known. Techniques consist of the following:
• Joint locks – Are used to manipulate certain joints in the human body. This is done in order to submit your opponent or subsequently break the bone or tear the tissue, until your opponent cannot continue his/her violence against you.
• Pressure points- Consist of putting pressure on certain meridians of the body. Pressure points can immobilize your opponent to render him/her unconscious or simply put him/her in a state of pain.
• Throws- Are used to knock your opponent off balance or toss your opponent on his/her back using his/her own leverage against him/her.
• Strikes– A Hap Ki-Do practitioner can use his/her whole body as a weapon and a wide variety of body parts to strike with. These include the hand, foot, shin, elbow, head, etc. In Hap Ki-Do we choose different points or targets on the human body to strike, depending on what we want to accomplish with the strike.
• Weapons- Hap Ki-Do practitioners train with a wide variety of weapons. These include the sword, different sizes of staffs, short stick, and cane. Everyday items can also be utilized as a weapon by a practitioner, such as the pen or even a magazine.
• Blocks – There are both hard and soft blocks in Hap Ki-Do. Blocks are usually redirected into an attack.
• Falls and Rolls – These are important to save your body from damage. Hapkido students learn falls and shoulder rolls from all angles and heights. If pressure is put against a student, he/she will not fight it, but flow with it instead.
• Mental concepts – This is one of the most important aspects of Hap Ki-Do. Students learn how to control situations using the power of the mind.
Upon mastering the art of Hap Ki-Do, a student will achieve the skills necessary to defend him/herself from all angles and positions of attack. And resolve potentially violent situations with minimal or no force.