Are you thinking about practicing some martial art but don’t know which one yet? Find out more about Hapkido.
Martial arts involve a set of individual fighting techniques, developing various skills such as balance, strengthening, self-control, courage, loyalty, etc. And one of the alternatives to practice is Hapkido. Known for having a long repertoire of strikes, with graceful and effective movements, ensuring better physical and mental conditioning for his fans. However, like any sport, the question arises whether it can be practiced by anyone. Want to know more about the health and quality of life benefits of Hapkido? Keep reading!
What is Hapkido?
Hapkido is a martial art that aims to train its practitioners with self-defense techniques, based on discipline and ethical values. Contrary to what many might think, Hapkido is not a sport or a functional lesson done in gyms. As a martial art, it involves physical and mental disciplines with an emphasis on personal development. For this same reason, Hapkido should not be practiced as a way to acquire a muscular body or even be encouraged as a scoring competition that leads to disputes among the participants. Within the teaching method, Hapkido brings references to different principles of other martial arts, such as Karate, Judo, Aikido, Kung Fu and Tae Kwon Do. Hapkido focuses its methods on effective joint and pressure point management. To this end, it combines offensive and defensive moves to give practitioners the tools they need to quickly and effectively disarm their opponents. An interesting point to highlight is the meaning of the name Hapkido, which has the loose translation “path of union of inner forces”, according to the following distribution of the name:
- hap: to harmonize (or union);
- ki: vital energy (or inner strength);
- from: path.
In this philosophy, Hapkido finds its differential.
What is the origin of Hapkido?
Hapkido has its origins in Korea with Yong-Sool Choi, considered the father of this martial art. To develop Hapkido, Choi recovered the concepts of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, a Japanese combat similar to traditional jiu-jitsu. Hapkido started to become popular in Korea in the late 1950s, arriving in Brazil in 1970. The gateway to Brazilian soil was in São Paulo, being inducted into the Brazilian Army, in the city of Osasco, as part of the ‘military training.
What are the fundamentals and traits of Hapkido?
After its creation, Hapkido was perfected by its founder as the number of techniques and strikes increased. Today Hapkido is characterized by the speed and diversity of blows, combining:
- Low kicks at the shin;
- aerial kicks;
- Punches and throws;
- Fight on the ground;
- Defense of melee weapons and firearms;
- fixed assets;
- stunts;
- twisted joints;
- Techniques with different weapons;
- Self-defense with any object.
However, in addition to striking, Hapkido is based on three principles, called Yu, Won and Wa in Korean. The meanings are:
- Yu: Representing water, this principle carries in its symbolism the fluidity and adaptability of the movements learned in Hapkido.
- Won: o Circle is a fundamental linked to the circular strikes practiced in Hapkido. These strikes are used to dodge the opponent’s strength.
- Wa: The harmony. With it, the practitioner must exploit each combat event as an opportunity in his favor, finding the balance between body and mind.
Who can practice?
Hapkido is a martial art that can be practiced by children, youth and adults. However, two conditions must be analysed: the child must be over 5 years old and the practitioner cannot have previous health problems which could constitute a limiting factor for the practice of the art. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor to find out whether the affected person is capable of developing Hapkido skills. Remembering that it is a martial art that moves the whole body and requires physical effort. Furthermore, the person learning Hapkido must constantly work on self-confidence and self-control, using the method in a safe, professional and responsible way. Otherwise the martial art can become dangerous for the learner and also for the people around him.
What are the benefits of Hapkido?
The practice of Hapkido brings physical and mental benefits to its practitioners, being a martial art that works completely on the individual. Among the physical benefits are muscle strengthening and endurance of aerobic and anaerobic capacity. With that, it can contribute to the health and even improve the person’s performance in other sports. Among the mental benefits are increased self-esteem, resilience, self-control, self-confidence, etc. In this way, the practice stands out for promoting an improvement in the practitioner’s quality of life. Furthermore, one of the greatest advantages of Hapkido is the teaching of the principles of conduct and concentration proposed by the discipline. By learning the martial art, children and young people have the opportunity to see its practical value and to have a well-rooted inner ethic. Another very important point is that Hapkido helps develop self-control, allowing children, young people and adults to live much better in society. By addressing self-confidence issues, the martial art also helps practitioners deal with their own insecurities, a reality that affects people of all ages and often brings barriers to social relationships. In general, practicing Hapkido helps to develop:
- Discipline;
- Self control;
- motor coordination;
- Concentration;
- Courage;
- Self-confidence;
- Respect for hierarchy;
- A healthier mind.
With Hapkido, children, young people and adults have the opportunity to learn to channel their energies in a positive way, avoiding behavioral problems and symptoms of anxiety, fear or stress.
What to consider before starting to practice?
As pointed out in the previous topic, Hapkido brings innumerable benefits to its practitioners, working skills that seek the perfect balance for its practitioners. However, before starting to practice Hapkido, it is important to consider some issues. For example, make sure you choose a professional teacher by looking at skills, teaching method, and background in the martial art. Hapkido involves strikes which, if not done correctly, can cause serious injury. Therefore, it is important to have faith in the teacher who will accompany the students’ learning and growth path. In the case of children, it is also important to analyze whether the teacher has a playful and attractive method to involve children in the class, having a greater interest in learning. The practice environment is also very important, from the structure to the colleagues, who must have a collaborative and non-competitive spirit. Those who intend to start Hapkido must also not forget the goal of the martial art. It is useless to start classes without seeking the purpose and benefits of Korean art. The practice should not be seen as a method of weight control and muscle toning. Practicing Hapkido means being willing to develop a philosophy of life through sport. The execution of techniques and movements requires dedication, study and the desire to continue learning and improving.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
