Hapkido History

The Hapkido is a defensive martial art of Korean history which begins in 372 AD ( with different names and "dispersed" as art ) . The Hapkido as we know it today began in the 20th century by the Korean Grandmaster Yong Sul Choi ( 1904 - 1986 ) . According to the statement of Choi, he was accepted by Takeda and trained for approximately 30 years, learning the 3808 techniques of the system. It should be noted that some claim that Choi was the servant and later assistant of Takeda, but almost all agree that he received education of some form from Takeda. Choi gave several top names in the art as: Hapki Yu Kwon Sul and Yu Sul, while for the name Hapkido( 1958 ) are two versions as to who first used that word.

    The first according to Suh Bok Sup, took its name from Choi and him. In their school with the help of other teachers as well, have combined the ancient Korean arts with the knowledge of Choi and finally called the art Hapkido.

    The second by Jin Han Jae who studied alongside Choi for seven years( 1949 - 1456 ) and as a sign of respect for him, he named the art Hapkido. The art of Ji Han Jae resulted from additional training next to Taoist Lee and other teachers from whom he learned of the ancient Korean martial arts, meditation and weapon techniques.

    Trainees soon realize through training in Hapkido physical and mental benefits, and effective methods of self defense. Hapkido is considered one of the world's most complete martial arts that includes any form of exercise (kicks, hand techniques, grips, pressure points, all forms of self-defense, standing, ground wrestling etc) .

All the above arise from the meaning of the word Hapkido.
    Hap: the union of all the good parts, harmony
    Ki: internal energy
    Do: healthy lifestyle, spiritual cultivation

The stages of learning Hapkido is designed to gradually introduce trainees to this beautiful art. Some of them are:

• Theory, philosophy and historical background of the art.
• Body fitness ( for example: Stretching ).
• Learn proper stance and corrent position of the body
• Breaths
• Body balance and appropriate shift of the body
• Basic hand techniques and kicks
• Falls
• Introduction to simple forms of self-defense
• Advanced self-defenses, hook defenses, armed self-defense and pressure points
• Self-defense psychology

    A key point of Hapkido is that you can start practicing without the physical demands, physical fitness and flexibility. Hapkido is for everyone. It is not a competitive art and aims to the human "balance" and the personality completion. With the art of Hapkido involved many great masters (Grandmasters) who tried to make their own mark in Hapkido art, so that is the reason why we call this art: "the ancient art of the masters" .