HAPKIDO

HapKiDo(HKD), also originally termed as Yawara (Japanese translation) was first called 'YuSool', which emphasized joint locks and throws (this name was not popular); this was then changed to 'Yu Kwon Sool' (full name – HapKi YuKwonSool) which added kicks and strikes as well. Another problem that initially hampered GM Choi was his total lack of instructing qualifications or credentials, claiming that they were stolen when he was disembarking from the train station on his return (despite several proposals by his students, he never applied for replacement papers, and follow up enquires by other students to the Ryu have found that his name was never entered into the rolls of former students).

HKD is one of the few true "martial" arts. It is primarily composed of 2 distinct real martial arts (as opposed to self defense systems developed for civilians or peasants to be used against overlords) i.e. AiKiJuJitsu and TaekKyon that were used extensively on the battlefields of their day for hand to hand and selected weapons combat. This concept has been carried forward and adapted for extensive use today by several modern armed forces, especially their elite SF, SOF and Airborne units. I personally feel that HKD is now more of a generic term, encompassing various distinct individual Master or School styles, each with their own unique look and feel. In general, there can be said to be at least 5 separate styles of HKD currently (my interpretation only):

1) GM CHOI's style, aka Yawara or YuKwanSool;

2) GM Ji's style, aka SungMooKwan™ now SinMooKwan;

3) GM Seo's version, aka KiDo or KukSoolWon influenced;

4) GM Lee's style, aka HwaRangDo;

5) GM Myong's (Jung Nam) style, aka IHF or HanKiDo.

Because of ego, historical baggage, political happenings, disloyalty and the inability to live up to the standards and ideals of the SungMooKwan™, most HKD practitioners have avoided using it.

HapKiDo training is very vigorous, and places great concentration on 'naturalness' of techniques. Economy of motion and "follow-through" or "extension" of techniques is stressed. There are virtually no hard blocks in the advanced stages of the art, redirections being preferred for their superiority. Strong emphasis is placed on takedowns, locks, throws and sweeps as well as kicking techniques. Comprehensive sections also cover breathing skills, meditation and weapons, which include the staff, knife, short stick, umbrella and folding fan.

There are 3 key Fundamentals that form that very heart of HKD (which are not dissimilar from KukSoolWon); they are

* HWA or Non-Resistance
* WON or Circular Motion
* YU or Water Principle

HWA, or Non-Resistance, is simply the act of remaining relaxed and not directly opposing an opponent's strength. If, for example a HapKiDo practitioner were to be pushed hard, rather than resist and push back, he/she would avoid direct confrontation by moving in the same direction as the push, and utilize the antagonist's forward momentum to throw or trip him.

WON, or the Circular Principle, is a concept to gain momentum to execute techniques in a natural and free flowing manner, as well as harmoniously increasing ones speed and power. If, for example, an opponent were to attack with a linear type punch, the HapKiDo student would re-direct the incoming force by simply leading the attack away in a circular pattern, adding the attacks power to his/her own. Once re-directed, the student can then counterattack with ease.

YU, or the Water Principle, is best described if one pictures the quiet, direct strength of free flowing water. When one touches water, it is soft; one does not feel anything. But water can be the most powerful force in the world, powering hydro turbines or blasting solid stone to from great canyons.

If the flowing stream penetrates and surrounds its obstructions and as the dripping water eventually penetrates the stone, so does the HapKiDo force flow in and through its opponents. If we can agree that the 3 Fundamentals form the basic concepts of HKD, one can then put forward that there are 3 Pillars or Binders attached to those concepts, and can be best illustrated by the 3 terms of Mobile, Agile and Hostile:

Mobile: In most of our executions, there can be NO set stance. We must be able to flow in and out re our distancing vis a vis our opponent. A stance is only used at the moment in time when we need to execute delivery of a technique. If you stay still or remain static, you can be targeted, and thus hit.

Agile: Agility refers to the constant changing of techniques that use once contact has been initiated. Again, we need to be able to use the optimum technique possible in an ever changing or fluid situation, including breathing, strikes, kicks, deflects, trips, locks, throws, etc. We also need to be able to react automatically and seamlessly to our opponent's moves and reactions to our counters.

Hostile: As ours is a military biased system, the intent is clear here.

In terms of Tactical Strike Execution, then can be 3 distinct Phases, i.e.:

Penetrate, where we physically enter our opponent's defensive perimeter; this can be via stance work alone, or accompanied with a strike package;

Decimate, where we employ a continuous mix of techniques to overwhelm the opponent's defenses; and

Terminate, where we successfully end the immediate threat.

Another way of explanation of how a HKD practitioner should be aware and react to situations is the term S.E.R.E. or

Surveillance, where one must continuously be aware of one's environment; who is a potential or probable threat, weapons proximity, escape routes, etc. This must be done at both the conscious and sub-conscious levels.

Evasion; on identifying a danger, we must try to avoid it by all means. This could be by simply walking away from your car for a while due to a suspicious character loitering nearby, apologizing to an offended party, requesting for assistance from a security or law official, giving up your wallet or money, etc.

Reaction; if avoidance is impractical or impossible, we need to react quickly and efficiently. One must also consider a first strike option if it is felt justified (must we wait for the attack we know is coming, risking injury to ourselves and loved ones first?).

Escape. When the threat has been neutralized, we need to evacuate ourselves out of Dodge soonest (get away now!).

HKD SMK, now under CKJ Julian S. Lim, is again a recognized name (2002 onwards) under the KHF, KKH and the KHA. While GM Ji did initially give his verbal approval (goodwill reasons only) to GM Lim's request to officially bring back the SMK name in 2003 (despite GM Ji himself abandoning it in 1979), GM Ji did not follow through with written approval and later changed his mind over financial and administrative reasons.

All KOMA™ students will be taught a modified SMK syllabus until their 4th Dan, when qualified candidates will be offered the opportunity to study YongMooKwan (Dragon School of the Martial Arts), a specialized style founded by GM Lim.

Progress in HapKiDo is roughly similar to TaeKwonDo, except that the lower belt grades have different colors (White, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Brown and Red) and generally consist of 10 to 15 Geup or lower grade levels. Senior (Black Belt) levels go from 1st to 10th Dan.