The History of Hapkido

It is commonly believed that all Oriental martial arts can be traced back to the Shaolin Temple in China. However, techniques of self defence and the defence of one's family name, religion, nation, or other, is a basic human instinct for the purposes of propagation. The creation of techniques and strategies in a form or pattern then follow in order to preserve the style for subsequent generations. A method of self defence may also adapt and change with time, to correlate with the changes that occur in a society.

Therefore, by stating that all Oriental martial arts originate from the Shaolin Temple disregards the existence of the essential human attribute of defending oneself. This exists in every society, country or nation. One cannot isolate Hapkido, or any other martial art, and specify from exactly where it derives. To do so would be simplistic and overlooks the thousands of years of combat history in a society.

Hapkido is a means of self defence which, in a situation when one cannot mediate conflict without violence, force is required. The style encompasses techniques that utilize the whole body, including punching, kicking, grappling, throwing, ground fighting, attack of pressure points, and joint locks. On the other side of the fighting aspect of Hapkido is healing through Oriental medicine. By knowing both, one's knowledge of Hapkido is complete.

Hapkido is the way of harmonious energy. The essence of Hapkido lies in the following: circle, flow and harmony. Each technique is executed in a fluid and circular motion, in which the energy of the opponent is in harmony with the practitioner. A single technique flows flawlessly into the next. Unlike a knot, one technique should not leave you in a situation where there is no possibility to continue an attack or defence.

The only true way to learn Hapkido is through actually practicing it; it cannot be learned from reading books.