| Hapkido Tangsoodo Fayetteville, North Carolina |
What is Hapkido?
Hapkido is a discipline of coordination, a way of strengthening the mind and body, of fusing the
individuals physical and mental powers so that he or she will emerge as a more fully integrated human
being.
The word in fact means; Method or Way (DO) for the coordination Harmony (HAP) of mental Energy or
spirit (KI). One should always try to avoid violence, but if someone grabs you, attempts to strike you, or
physically assaults you in any way, it has escalated beyond words, and you are left with the only option
which is to defend.
The Korean Art of Self Defense, Hapkido is considered a "soft" style of Martial Art, as opposed to "hard"
styles that practice the use of force against force, making the outcome a simple matter of size and
strength. Hapkido not only redirects the attack, but turns it back against the attacker and follows through
with offensive techniques which controls his violence or renders him incapable of further agressive
actions. The Hapkido practitioner is in complete control of the confrontation defusing the aggression
without the need for uncontrolled damage.
Hapkido provides complete physical conditioning which improves balance, posture, flexibility, timing,
quickness, muscle tone, joint strength and most importantly, confidence through physical and mental
discipline.
The immediate aim of Hapkido is of course the welfare of the one practicing it. Not only will skills in self-
defense be attained, but more importantly will be the focus on an individual’s character development. A
well rounded personality can be realized only if the spirit is right. Courtesy, Respect, Modesty, Loyalty,
Generosity, and Dedication are not only the source, but also the rewards of Hapkido.
Hapkido History
Hapkido developed during the Three Kingdom Era (from 57 B.C. to 688 A.D) Three Kingdoms competed
on the Korean peninsula. Martial Arts techniques much like those of modern day Hapkido were
introduced to ancient Korea in approximately 372 AD. Evidence can be found in many of the ancient wall
and cave paintings and sculptures from that period of time.
During the SHILLA (57 B.C. to 660 AD) and the United SHILLA Kingdom (676 AD to 935 AD) each
kingdom gathered about them an elite group of young knights, the HWA-RANG (Flowering Youth)
Warriors, who were highly disciplined, adhered to a strict code of ethics and were extremely proficient in
the martial arts. These warriors, who were to train the future national leaders, were taught Hapkido
techniques for their physical fitness, mental discipline and self-defense.
The SHILLA kingdom was overturned in 935 AD by the Dynasty of KO-RYO, from which then name
"Korea" was derived. During the KO-RYO Dynasty King CHOONG-HEI, brought Hapkido experts into the
palace to perform demonstrations of the martial arts. This is the beginning of Hapkido as a royal martial
art.
In the new CHO-SON dynasty (1392-1910) respected scholarly disciplines and looked down upon
physical force or martial arts. Painting, sculpting, and writing replaced the art of fighting. The country
progressively took on an anti-militaristic temperament. By the end of the nineteenth century, martial arts
had come to be looked down upon by the Korean citizen, if not completely banned in many regions.
Hapkido barely maintained its continuation through individual masters, Buddhist monks and royal
families practicing the arts in seclusion. In an attempt to prevent the complete loss of the fighting arts,
king JUNG-JO ordered his general LEE-DUK-MOO to compile a book of all the known martial
techniques. The book known as MOO-YAE-DO-BO-TONG-JI has many detailed examples of Hapkido
techniques recorded within its pages.
The CHO-SON dynasty was brought down by the Japanese in 1910. From 1910 to 1945 the Japanese
ruled Korea. Under Japanese rule, all civil liberties were revoked. The Japanese closed many private
schools and established their own public schools designed to assimilate Korean youth into the
Japanese culture, omitting Korean language and history and stressing Japan's instead. The martial arts
again suffered since the occupying Japanese would not even allow Korean sports, let alone Korean
martial arts to be practiced. But as before those dedicated few continued to practice, quietly defying their
invading rulers.
In 1945 after Korea regained control of their country, the martial arts once again gained popularity in this
defense hungry nation. Hapkido was re-introduced by the man given the title of founder or father of
modern day Hapkido, CHOI, YONG-SOOL.
Hapkido now has a strong tradition and Masters throughout the world inclulding the USA, Germany,
Canada, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, China, and France.
Hapkido is a discipline of coordination, a way of strengthening the mind and body, of fusing the
individuals physical and mental powers so that he or she will emerge as a more fully integrated human
being.
The word in fact means; Method or Way (DO) for the coordination Harmony (HAP) of mental Energy or
spirit (KI). One should always try to avoid violence, but if someone grabs you, attempts to strike you, or
physically assaults you in any way, it has escalated beyond words, and you are left with the only option
which is to defend.
The Korean Art of Self Defense, Hapkido is considered a "soft" style of Martial Art, as opposed to "hard"
styles that practice the use of force against force, making the outcome a simple matter of size and
strength. Hapkido not only redirects the attack, but turns it back against the attacker and follows through
with offensive techniques which controls his violence or renders him incapable of further agressive
actions. The Hapkido practitioner is in complete control of the confrontation defusing the aggression
without the need for uncontrolled damage.
Hapkido provides complete physical conditioning which improves balance, posture, flexibility, timing,
quickness, muscle tone, joint strength and most importantly, confidence through physical and mental
discipline.
The immediate aim of Hapkido is of course the welfare of the one practicing it. Not only will skills in self-
defense be attained, but more importantly will be the focus on an individual’s character development. A
well rounded personality can be realized only if the spirit is right. Courtesy, Respect, Modesty, Loyalty,
Generosity, and Dedication are not only the source, but also the rewards of Hapkido.
Hapkido History
Hapkido developed during the Three Kingdom Era (from 57 B.C. to 688 A.D) Three Kingdoms competed
on the Korean peninsula. Martial Arts techniques much like those of modern day Hapkido were
introduced to ancient Korea in approximately 372 AD. Evidence can be found in many of the ancient wall
and cave paintings and sculptures from that period of time.
During the SHILLA (57 B.C. to 660 AD) and the United SHILLA Kingdom (676 AD to 935 AD) each
kingdom gathered about them an elite group of young knights, the HWA-RANG (Flowering Youth)
Warriors, who were highly disciplined, adhered to a strict code of ethics and were extremely proficient in
the martial arts. These warriors, who were to train the future national leaders, were taught Hapkido
techniques for their physical fitness, mental discipline and self-defense.
The SHILLA kingdom was overturned in 935 AD by the Dynasty of KO-RYO, from which then name
"Korea" was derived. During the KO-RYO Dynasty King CHOONG-HEI, brought Hapkido experts into the
palace to perform demonstrations of the martial arts. This is the beginning of Hapkido as a royal martial
art.
In the new CHO-SON dynasty (1392-1910) respected scholarly disciplines and looked down upon
physical force or martial arts. Painting, sculpting, and writing replaced the art of fighting. The country
progressively took on an anti-militaristic temperament. By the end of the nineteenth century, martial arts
had come to be looked down upon by the Korean citizen, if not completely banned in many regions.
Hapkido barely maintained its continuation through individual masters, Buddhist monks and royal
families practicing the arts in seclusion. In an attempt to prevent the complete loss of the fighting arts,
king JUNG-JO ordered his general LEE-DUK-MOO to compile a book of all the known martial
techniques. The book known as MOO-YAE-DO-BO-TONG-JI has many detailed examples of Hapkido
techniques recorded within its pages.
The CHO-SON dynasty was brought down by the Japanese in 1910. From 1910 to 1945 the Japanese
ruled Korea. Under Japanese rule, all civil liberties were revoked. The Japanese closed many private
schools and established their own public schools designed to assimilate Korean youth into the
Japanese culture, omitting Korean language and history and stressing Japan's instead. The martial arts
again suffered since the occupying Japanese would not even allow Korean sports, let alone Korean
martial arts to be practiced. But as before those dedicated few continued to practice, quietly defying their
invading rulers.
In 1945 after Korea regained control of their country, the martial arts once again gained popularity in this
defense hungry nation. Hapkido was re-introduced by the man given the title of founder or father of
modern day Hapkido, CHOI, YONG-SOOL.
Hapkido now has a strong tradition and Masters throughout the world inclulding the USA, Germany,
Canada, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, China, and France.
| Deon Fuller With more than 30 years in Martial Arts, Deon Fuller knows how to help students reach their full potential. His informal teaching style lets Hapkido be center stage and fosters an environment that maximizes learning through the balance of discipline and encouragement. His commitment to students is evident in every class. His goal is simple, harmony between body, mind and spirit. |
| If you encounter problems with this page, contact mushado@ateminc.com. |
