THE PHILOSOPHY OF
HAPKIDO
The techniques of Hapkido are themselves based on three underlying
principles:
There are several ways
to describe what each of these principles means. Here we shall
attempt a brief explanation by describing a Hapkido response to
an attacker's punch directly to the face.
THEORY OF YOU (Water)
When deflecting the attacker's punch, we are like water which
has been penetrated like a stone: no sooner has the stone divided
the water than it flows together again to surround and envelop
the stone. Similarly, we "go with the flow" in the execution
of our techniques.
THEORY OF WON (Circle)
Instead of meeting the attacker's punch with a direct block, in
other words meeting force with force, we would utilize the circular
principle and deflect it and re-direct the force of the punch.
The circle is always present in Hapkido techniques; it may be
a large circle which is performed when executing a throwing technique
or a small circle such as that used in a wrist lock.
THEORY OF HWA (Harmony)
Even though the force of the punch is directed straight at us,
we do not oppose that force but instead go with it. In this way
we harmonize with the force becoming one with it.
The art of Hapkido therefore combines smooth, flowing, evasive
movements coupled with sudden hard strikes, which place great
emphasis on "snap power". Hapkido has probably the widest
range of kicking techniques of any martial art. There is a comprehensive
range of escape techniques which employ the use of pressure point
attacks, joint locks and throws. Add to this the use of traditional
Korean weapons and you will see that Hapkido covers a wide spectrum
of self defence. Although this may seem daunting to the beginning
student, it is also one of the attractions of the art, giving
rise to an immense sense of achievement and in the end, self respect,
as one by one the techniques are mastered.
As a system of self defence, Hapkido can truly be described
as a complete Korean martial art.
