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What is Hapkido? 

Hapkido is a Martial Art that was developed in several countries and organized in Korea.  It is a martial art that contains aspects and techniques of all martial arts.
 

Welcome to The Art of True Hapkido.

Hapkido is a martial art based on MOVEMENT PRINCIPLES AND ANATOMY of the HUMAN BODY as well as rules of NATURE.  HAPKIDO is a CONSTANT MOVING, NATURAL MARTIAL ART without stiff patterns or restrictions. Hapkido is PURE SELF-DEFENSE in MOTION.  Hapkido is a PURE HEALING ART combining physical, mental and spiritual harmony.    

Definition of Hapkido:

The term Hapkido is combination of three words:  Hap (Harmony), Ki (Energy), Do (Way, the philosophy and principles of Martial Arts.).  Developed in Korea by Yong Shul Choi, original version of the art emphasizes development and cultivation of Ki (Chi), the internal energy of humans and all living things.  Method of Hapkido is neither peaceful nor violent.  Hapkido is a means to an end, therefore Hapkido is both passive (Yin) and aggressive (Yang) in its combative strategy.  

Hapkido is pure strategy of COMBAT.  

The origins of Hapkido joint locking techniques are the  forbidden techniques of the elite military arts of the Samurai Warrior.  Transferred to Korean Hapkido System through Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujitsu,  these are the same techniques that gave birth to foundational curricula of many modern arts of Japan such as Judo and Aikido.  

Hapkido is pure ART of Human expression.

Hapkido is not limited in it's curriculum.  Through it's diverse methodology and application, Hapkido uses methods of all martial arts, because it is based on principles of movement.  Techniques of Hapkido are in essence, natural motions of the human body.  

Hapkido is the art of infinite permutations.   There is no single technique that can be identified in Hapkido by itself, because each technique blends and becomes part of another technique in application.   Even Hapkido kicking techniques emphasize natural alignment, body positioning and harmonious continuity with the other body movements.

Many law enforcement agencies use modified versions of Hapkido techniques to train their personnel. Currently Hapkido is the official hand to hand combat system of the Korean Special Forces.  

Hapkido is a HEALING ART.

Although you are not likely to find this aspect of Hapkido taught in majority of Hapkido schools,  Hapkido is 4000 year old knowledge of Oriental Medicine applied to martial arts.  Healing aspects of  Hapkido takes a whole another level of study, academic work and synthesis which most Hapkido schools simply can not offer to their students.  We are able to include this aspect of Hapkido in our curriculum because of the high qualifications of our Teaching Faculty. 

So you want to learn martial arts?  Just a warning: Although large segment of the visible martial arts industry is geared towards selling lessons to children, don't be fooled!  The actual serious study of martial arts is No Childs Play.  Subject matter is historically and culturally significant, philosophically diverse and in fact goes very, very deep!

Besides offering you the most complete traditional Hapkido training, Hapkido Hawaii also uses the Comprehensive Training Curriculum of Tao International Martial Arts Association to train it's members.   Because of this diverse curriculum, our school has been able to break the 90/90 rule of martial arts schools.  According to industry norms 90% of all adults starting martial arts quit with in 90 days (hence the children directed general market).  For our school this norm is nearly non existent.  Most of our adult students develop a deep desire to learn and excel in what we have to offer.  Because of the demographics of our niche market, we continue to attract highly intelligent adults, who are interested in learning deeper aspects of martial arts.  Most of our students continue to study with us and become dedicated instructors and hard working black belts.