Hapkido the Korean martial art

Hapkido is a Korean martial art form that includes a wide range of arm and leg locks, weapon use, hits, kicks and nerve pressure techniques. It is a great means of self-defense and can easily be learned by both men and women of any age or size. The word “Hapkido” is a combination of words from the Korean language. “Hap” means “together” or harmony of the body, mind and soul. “Ki” means “life energy”, while “Do” means “way of life”.  Therefore, the word means “harmonious way of life by focusing body, soul, mind and life energy”.

One of the main people responsible for making Hapkido the martial art form we know today was Grandmaster Yong Sul Choi.  Choi, born in the Korean village of Yong Dong during the Japanese occupation of Korea. He was kidnapped by a Japanese candy merchant, Morimoto, and taken to Japan as his son. Because Choi resisted the adoption and was very difficult, Morimoto abandoned him soon in the village of Moji, Japan. Choi survived as a beggar in the larger city of Osaka until he was taken by the police into a buddist temple where he was accepted by a monk named Kintaro.

Choi was sent by this monk to Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu (meaning loosely soft martial art using combined sense with big sword school) where he learned to use his hands, elbows, shoulders and joints in the art of self-defense. According to Choi, he was the only person to learn all 3808 techniques of this martial art, may of which would become part of Hapkido.

Choi later returned to Korea with his skills which would influence Hapkido significantly. He earned his living selling rice and cookies for several years. In 1948, he was accosted while working at a brewery by employees who wanted his place in the queue. He defended himself so easily, people were amazed. The manager’s son was impressed and wanted to know how Choi did this, and began to pay Choi to teach him this art. By 1951, Choi and his student opened a Dojang and in 1958 named the martial art Hapkido.

If you want to learn the martial art of Hapkido today, you can find instructors by searching the Internet. There are many instructors that can teach you how to practice this art and condition your body, mind and spirit to move smoothly and swiftly when required. There are many local instructors in metro areas of the US as well as overseas.

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