Traditional Hapkido

 

Extreme Combat Self Defense Systems (and Extreme Combat Hapkido) are based on the traditional martial art of Hapkido and Hawarangdo.

 

Traditional martial arts have been battle proven for thousands of years. The hand to hand combat techniques, and edged weapon methods were actually used in warfare. Unlike the

 

Hapkido is a complete martial art. It combines punches, kicks, joint locks, judo throws, weapon training, wrestling moves, boxing, and more. In my system, I include combat pistol, shotgun, and carbine.

 

There is a trend today by many so called experts and defense systems to discount the traditional arts. They make claims that traditional martial arts do not work in the street. These claims are completely false. They are usually made by individuals and systems designed to separate you from your money.

 

Yes it is true that many martial arts are watered down, some of the instructors are not qualified, and they are not taught with a street application. That still does not disqualify traditional martial arts schools. It is possible to take the students of these martial arts schools and easily teach them street applications in a very short period of time.

 

As a Hapkido black belt with over 25 years experience in traditional Hapkido, I can easily evaluate an instructor or school and determine if they have a decent program. Most of the schools I have viewed, are very good at what they do. With a little help, most martial arts schools can become excellent street fighting systems. I have no criticism of most martial art schools because they are where they are doing what they do for a good reason. The techniques they teach will work in the street.

 

Some of the "real world" commando style schools will also have critical things to say about MMA (mixed martial arts) training. I have high respect for MMA fighters and schools. Ask a commando instructor to get in the ring with a MMA instructor and they will decline, claiming their techniques are too deadly. What a pile of BS!

 

I have been involved in hundreds and hundreds of street fights. In one week I was involved in 8 street fights. I have also boxed and was on my way to being a professional boxer until I was involved in a motorcycle accident. I also studied full contact kick boxing with Steve Shepard for two years. There are many rules in MMA that protect the fighters from killing each other. In the street an MMA fighter can break those rules. MMA is a qualified street defense system. They simply have to drop the rules and fight dirty. Most MMA guys deserve a lot of respect.

 

In most of the commando real world schools the level of expertise is like that of a clumsy child. What's really ironic, is that these world wide commando schools, have hijacked their techniques from traditional martial arts. That's right, they stole the techniques, repacked their courses, and made claims that they developed their system. A pathetic joke.

 

Keep in mind, in a traditional martial art if can take 3 to 5 years to become a black belt. Obtaining a black belt is only the beginning of learning. It is only the start of one's education. At the black belt level is where advanced techniques are taught and higher skill levels are achieved. The first degree black belt is only the beginning of the journey.

 

Many self defense systems also make claims as teaching secret commando kill methods.

 

They also claim they are the best, or for real world situations. They claim to not be a martial art system or school even though all their techniques have been high-jacked from other martial arts. These schools are a joke. Yes they teach methods stolen from other systems. But their claims to being the best are ludicrous.

 

The instructors I have seen at the commando schools are often over muscled brutes with a limited degree of skill. Don't be enamored by their claims or presentations. Military style martial arts methods are extremely limited in functionality. The best of any military system I have seen is the Russian Spetsnaz spelling. Militaries around the world seldom use martial arts hand to hand combat methods in war. They use missiles, artillery, tanks, attack helicopters, assault weapons, etc. etc. etc.

 

When you hear of a self defense system that claims they are used in a military around the world be wary. Ask for the kill rates that their so called commando system has achieved.

 

Traditional martial arts includes methods that have actually been used for thousands of years in real combat before modern weapons existed. Traditional martial arts have proven themselves in war and have dispatched thousands and thousands of combatants. In Korea alone, the Hwarangdo used martial arts to ward off other warring parties. That cannot be said of the commando schools. Commandos use modern weapons.

 

My advice is to not trust anyone who discredits traditional martial arts.

 

What is Hapkido and Hwarangdo?

 

Hapkido is a Korean martial art with intensive self-defense techniques that can be applied in any defensive situation. The name Hapkido is derived from three Korean words:

 

* Hap is the coordination of body and mind.

 

* Ki is the internal energy created and manifested through the coordination of one's body and mind.

 

* Do is to follow a path of self-control and discipline to create a coordinated body and mind, and high levels of Ki energy.

 

Hapkido is a complete and highly effective martial art. Within Hapkido are throws, kicks, punches, joint manipulation, pressure points, free fighting, weapons and meditation.

 

Many Hapkido skills are designed to subdue an opponent without causing serious injuries unless the opponent continues to fight. In a life threatening incident a Hapkido student can either break the attacker's joint or apply lethal force.

 

History of Hapkido

 

The history of Korean martial arts began about 16 centuries ago at approximately 372 A.D. At this time it was mainly the Buddhist Monks who began developing Korean fighting arts. The nobleman and the elite classes would secretly practice fighting skills, keeping them from the lower classes.

 

During this time, Korea was divided into three warring kingdoms: Paekche, Koguryo and Silla. Koguryu was the largest of the kingdoms and most often the aggressor. Silla, however, possessed the most advanced culture and it's sophistication helped the small kingdom ward of it's enemies.

 

In the 5th century, the kingdom of Koguryo invaded both Paekche and Silla. After holding off the invaders, Silla became even more united with new efforts to improve itself. One of the most important improvements was the creation of an elite fighting group called Hwarangdo. This group comprised of specially selected noblemen who excelled intellectually as well as physically. They were taught the arts of philosophy, science, verse, as well as Ki and martial arts skills. The Hwarangdo helped Silla defeat her enemies and unite all of Korea.

 

As the years passed, some masters began to specialize in specific areas such as kicks or throws; they developed individual schools that would later be known as Tae Kwon Do, Korean Kendo and Yew Sool, etc. Many monks and some martial art masters however, continued to teach, improve and modernize all the fighting techniques, practicing a "complete" system under the name of hoshinsul (self-defense techniques).

 

In 1904 Japan invaded Korea. After conquering the country the Japanese required the monks to take wives and banned all martial arts. Masters of the martial arts were forced to hide in the remote monasteries and mountains in order to be able to preserve and pass on knowledge to their disciples.

 

The martial art ban lasted 36 years until 1945. One master who withdrew to the mountains was Choi, Young Sool. During his 36 years in the mountains he helped to develop and modernize what we now call "Hapkido". Another well known name within Hapkido history is one of Choi's disciples Ji, Han Jae. Master Ji was instrumental in reviving Hapkido in post-war Korea. He developed more kicks and techniques and helped Hapkido to flourish through the creation of a governmental organization known as the Korean Hapkido Association.

 

 

The Love of Hapkido

 

I no longer teach traditional martial arts due to my challenging schedule. The courses I teach are short and include firearms and other weapons. Many people simply do not have the interest or the desire to devote years to the practice of a martial art.

 

If I include weapons in my courses it helps to shorten the time required to be able to defend one's self in a life threatening situation. However, I highly recommend that students continue in their self defense education and have trained martial arts instructors to include my methods in their schools.

 

I love traditional martial arts, especially Hapkido. There are things that can be learned in Hapkido that are beneficial to all areas of your life. If you are able to take courses from a qualified Hapkido school, I highly recommend it. Hapkido will always be close to my heart and is the foundation for Extreme Combat Self Defense Systems.