Hapkido is both an art of self defense and a way of life, a discipline of coordination. It is a unique martial
art because it enables one to bring an attacker under complete control. This can be accomlished by blending with
the attacker`s oncoming force - in effect, the aggressor can be thrown by the directional force of their own
movement.
Hapkido is a martial art involving:yoosul(throwing techniques), kwanjeolsul (locking and pinning techniques), joksul or
(kicking techniques) and kwonsul(striking techniques). The hand techniques are based on hard and soft form. The foot
techniques are based on linear and circular form. It is in the sphere of the internal dynamics that the principle of ki
(vital energy. Chi in Chinese) and indivisibility of um-yang (yin-yang in Chinese) express themselves as the basis of power.
Hapkido training also involves the practice of training with traditional moogi (weapons).Traning with weapons provides
certain qualities that are difficult to discover with hand to hand techniques and weapons increase the intensity of practice.
Dynamics
The word hapkido broadly translated means: the way of harmony. The practice of hapkido trains the students to relax
and align their bodies so that weight of the various parts are directed to a common center. Practicing hapkido
teaches one to coordinate and unify the mind and body so that one can function unaffected by an outside influence.
The movements are designed to keep a pysical attack from interfering with this unified state.
Hapkido training functions on many levels. The new student soon discovers that it can take many years just to
understand the realm of hapkido and that it can take a lifetime to truly master the techniques. New students
should not be discouraged by hapkido`s complexity. The path of hapkido is an exciting and enjoyable one rich in
culture and tradition.
The numerous techniques in hapkido are all based on few natural laws, correct movement and sensitivity to
directional force.
Belt degrees
| Degree | Training times |
| 10 kup (white) | 25 times |
| 9 kup (yellow) | 25 times |
| 8 kup (green) | 55 times |
| 7 kup (green) | 55 times |
| 6 kup (blue) | 60 times |
| 5 kup (blue) | 80 times |
| 4 kup (blue) | 80 times |
| 3 kup (red) | 120 times |
| 2 kup (red) | 120 times |
| 1 kup (red) | 120 times |
KUP (or GUP) = degrees preceding the black belt
DAN = black belt degree
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