Monday, June 30, 2008
What is Hapkido?
Many times on the Internet, there are discussions about what Hapkido is or what Hapkido isn't, and it gets pretty crazy at times. Because I just returned from a trip to Korea, I answered one of these Internet forum questions about Hapkido with this following post. I hope it also helps readers here understand Hapkido a bit better as well.
I just returned from Korea, where I was training with my hapkido instructors there. With that, I'll share a little of what I believe Hapkido to be. It is a Korean art that has roots that include Japanese Aiki Jujitsu. It is sometimes argued as to the relationship between Choi Young Sul and Takeda in Japan, but it is obvious that Choi brought back a lot of Aiki Jujitsu to Korea. The art then had a lot of kicking added to it, as the Korean arts are known for kicking.
The art has evolved over the years and it will continue to evolve. My instructors in Korea just told me that I must continue to train and improve techniques to make them faster, make them hurt the opponent more, make them more effecient, etc. My instructors teach techniques today different than they did 10 plus years ago. I remember what they were teaching white belts back in 96, and it is different than they are teaching white belts today.
I refer to instructors in the plural because I originally studied in Kwanjangnim Kim Young Jong's school, and Lee Jun Kyu was his Saboem. Kim Hyun was one of the top students there as well. Now, Lee Jun Kyu has his own school, and Kim Hyun has his own school too. So I train at the different places. However, Lee Jun Kyu is my primary instructor. (Kim Young Jong is not teaching HKD right now, he is busy with his chiropractic practice and teaches Ki Gong classes which I used to study under him as well.)
Anyway, there are a lot of politics involved in HKD like there are in many of the arts. My first 2 dan levels were under the Korea Hapkido Federation, which is one of the biggest federations for HKD. Then my instructors changed organizations, so my 3rd dan was from a different organization. They are now under a different organization, so my 4th dan will be different too. I did not change federations, my instructors did. I could care less about what federation I have a certificate from, I care about my instructors and the relationship I have with them. That's all that matters. I know they are very good men, have taught me so much, and that I will continue to learn from them and respect them for the rest of my life.
So what is hapkido? It is a martial art that contains all of the following: Breathing, striking, kicking, forms, joint locks, throws, knife defenses, gun disarms, weapons such as short stick, middle stick, staff, nunchaku to use Japanese term because more people know that term, cane, belt, fan, and sword. Some HKD schools out there do not kick much. I personally, due to knee surgeries and back surgery, do not kick anywhere near what my Korean instructors can. However, my instructors can kick with the best of them. HKD has some of the best kicking you will see. It is not because they also do TKD. Go to Korea and watch some of the HKD masters, who only do HKD, and you will see some fantastic kicking, high, low ,spinning, jumping, etc.
Some HKD schools do not do forms. My schools do. I teach forms because I learned them from my instructors so I continue to practice them and teach them as well.
One thing you will find in all HKD schools is the joint locks. These are some of my favorite techniques of HKD. However, HKD is much more than locks. Unfortunately, many places that do TKD will say, oh yeah, we do HKD too. But they just do a few HKD techniques, not the entire HKD curriculum. The defenses, which include locks and throws, include techniques against all sorts of grabs, punch attacks, kick attacks, weapon attacks, etc.
Hapkido is also an art that you find the principles of harmony, water, and circles taught. Circles are everywhere in HKD and very important. Blending with your opponent and using his force against him is also important (harmony). The flowing and different aspects of water are also found in many places. One of the things I was working on just a week and a half ago in Korea was the concept of taking static techniques such as a person grabs you, and then do those techniques while moving. You must learn to flow and to harmonize with your opponent's energy. Basic technique would be for your opponent to grab your shoulder, then you advance to him grabbing shoulder and pushing, then grabbing and pulling. You must be able to blend with the movement and perform the techniques no matter what. You must also make each technique the most effecient that it can be making sure to maximize your strengths and minimize your opponent's strengths and exploit his weaknesses. In HKD you will find very flashy show techniques and demonstrations that are not as practical but look cool. You will also find very practical and effecient techniques that work. You will also find people at higher levels that will do things to people that some might think won't work, but do. :-)
HKD is a very comprehensive art. There is much to it. Unfortunately, in some places some of this has been lost. Some people think HKD is just a couple of joint locks added to TKD. Or some think HKD is just a blend of TKD and Aikido. As I mentioned earlier, it is also evolving. Things change. This last trip to Korea I learned some cool little things to make certain techniques better. One was a simple shoulder roll to increase the effectiveness of an arm bar. When it was shown to me, I went, wow - cool... Then over dinner in Seoul I shared this with a 5th dan from the KHF and it was new to him too. We are all learning and growing all the time. John and I talked a lot that night about how HKD is growing and how the art is individualized by the different people practicing and teaching it. My HKD is different from his, because we have different instructors and backgrounds. My HKD has incorporated lessons learned from non-HKD instructors I have had and real life experiences with fighting and violence. And you know what? That's a good thing. That is what is great about HKD. It can be different, but still with the same core principlese and such. The fighting and bickering about who or what is better is a waste of time.
As I said, besides being a comprehensive art, it is also an art that continues to change and evolve. last week with Kim Hyun, we did a little ground work that was more BJJ. He was saying how JJ went from Japan to Brazil and how they developed that into a good ground system and that it was important to know some of that too. HKD is a more stand up system, with the philosophy that you should stay off the ground, and many of the basic ground techniques are just how to get off the ground. However, Kim Hyun has practiced more ground stuff from BJJ so he can be a more complete martial artist and instructor. He said it was important to increase all of your martial art skills. I agree with him. That's why I sometimes do groundwork that I have learned from other sources in my HKD classes. I tell my students, I learned this from Mike Swain at the seminar last week, or from whatever source I learn it from, but after a while it all blends into MY Warrior Arts, and eventually into MY teachings. I was a sniper instructor for the U.S. Army, so that is part of MY Warrior Arts as well. And while I don't bring a sniper system to my HKD classes, it is part of me, and still influences my overall training and teaching.
Another thing that my instructors stressed was that it was important to think right, speak right, and have a good heart. They said that was one of the most important things, and that students watch instructors, so it was important to act right at all times. Teaching is very important. They were glad to hear that I wrote an article for Black Belt on Character. (And I recently sent them another article on Character that I'm still waiting to hear about)
Some post that what is important is what you do on the mat and how you train. That is right. I have Dr. Kimm's new book on the History of Korea and Hapkido. I have only read a bit of it, since it came right before I left for Korea, and I didn't take it with me. (Too big!) I do plan on reading it very soon, and I actually just ordered another copy for one of my students. We can both read and discuss things about it. But while history is important, for me the practical aspects, the training, and the striving to make things better, faster, more efficient is the most enjoyable and important part. I'm not as concerned as much with who's who as I am with the relationships with my instructors and students, and how can I make myself a better martial artist and a better instructor. What skills can I develop, and what skills can I pass on? That is what I focus on. The warrior lifestyle is a part of me, and I believe my training and studying make me a better person. I don't have time to bicker over stuff. Too many positive things to work on. Hapkido is a very important part of my warrior lifestyle and training, and it always will be.Anyway, those are a few thoughts on HKD from someone who just got back from Korea. The trip was too short, and I can't wait to get back there again. Hope this helps a little regarding HKD.
Hapki!
Alain Burrese
I just returned from Korea, where I was training with my hapkido instructors there. With that, I'll share a little of what I believe Hapkido to be. It is a Korean art that has roots that include Japanese Aiki Jujitsu. It is sometimes argued as to the relationship between Choi Young Sul and Takeda in Japan, but it is obvious that Choi brought back a lot of Aiki Jujitsu to Korea. The art then had a lot of kicking added to it, as the Korean arts are known for kicking.
The art has evolved over the years and it will continue to evolve. My instructors in Korea just told me that I must continue to train and improve techniques to make them faster, make them hurt the opponent more, make them more effecient, etc. My instructors teach techniques today different than they did 10 plus years ago. I remember what they were teaching white belts back in 96, and it is different than they are teaching white belts today.
I refer to instructors in the plural because I originally studied in Kwanjangnim Kim Young Jong's school, and Lee Jun Kyu was his Saboem. Kim Hyun was one of the top students there as well. Now, Lee Jun Kyu has his own school, and Kim Hyun has his own school too. So I train at the different places. However, Lee Jun Kyu is my primary instructor. (Kim Young Jong is not teaching HKD right now, he is busy with his chiropractic practice and teaches Ki Gong classes which I used to study under him as well.)
Anyway, there are a lot of politics involved in HKD like there are in many of the arts. My first 2 dan levels were under the Korea Hapkido Federation, which is one of the biggest federations for HKD. Then my instructors changed organizations, so my 3rd dan was from a different organization. They are now under a different organization, so my 4th dan will be different too. I did not change federations, my instructors did. I could care less about what federation I have a certificate from, I care about my instructors and the relationship I have with them. That's all that matters. I know they are very good men, have taught me so much, and that I will continue to learn from them and respect them for the rest of my life.
So what is hapkido? It is a martial art that contains all of the following: Breathing, striking, kicking, forms, joint locks, throws, knife defenses, gun disarms, weapons such as short stick, middle stick, staff, nunchaku to use Japanese term because more people know that term, cane, belt, fan, and sword. Some HKD schools out there do not kick much. I personally, due to knee surgeries and back surgery, do not kick anywhere near what my Korean instructors can. However, my instructors can kick with the best of them. HKD has some of the best kicking you will see. It is not because they also do TKD. Go to Korea and watch some of the HKD masters, who only do HKD, and you will see some fantastic kicking, high, low ,spinning, jumping, etc.
Some HKD schools do not do forms. My schools do. I teach forms because I learned them from my instructors so I continue to practice them and teach them as well.
One thing you will find in all HKD schools is the joint locks. These are some of my favorite techniques of HKD. However, HKD is much more than locks. Unfortunately, many places that do TKD will say, oh yeah, we do HKD too. But they just do a few HKD techniques, not the entire HKD curriculum. The defenses, which include locks and throws, include techniques against all sorts of grabs, punch attacks, kick attacks, weapon attacks, etc.
Hapkido is also an art that you find the principles of harmony, water, and circles taught. Circles are everywhere in HKD and very important. Blending with your opponent and using his force against him is also important (harmony). The flowing and different aspects of water are also found in many places. One of the things I was working on just a week and a half ago in Korea was the concept of taking static techniques such as a person grabs you, and then do those techniques while moving. You must learn to flow and to harmonize with your opponent's energy. Basic technique would be for your opponent to grab your shoulder, then you advance to him grabbing shoulder and pushing, then grabbing and pulling. You must be able to blend with the movement and perform the techniques no matter what. You must also make each technique the most effecient that it can be making sure to maximize your strengths and minimize your opponent's strengths and exploit his weaknesses. In HKD you will find very flashy show techniques and demonstrations that are not as practical but look cool. You will also find very practical and effecient techniques that work. You will also find people at higher levels that will do things to people that some might think won't work, but do. :-)
HKD is a very comprehensive art. There is much to it. Unfortunately, in some places some of this has been lost. Some people think HKD is just a couple of joint locks added to TKD. Or some think HKD is just a blend of TKD and Aikido. As I mentioned earlier, it is also evolving. Things change. This last trip to Korea I learned some cool little things to make certain techniques better. One was a simple shoulder roll to increase the effectiveness of an arm bar. When it was shown to me, I went, wow - cool... Then over dinner in Seoul I shared this with a 5th dan from the KHF and it was new to him too. We are all learning and growing all the time. John and I talked a lot that night about how HKD is growing and how the art is individualized by the different people practicing and teaching it. My HKD is different from his, because we have different instructors and backgrounds. My HKD has incorporated lessons learned from non-HKD instructors I have had and real life experiences with fighting and violence. And you know what? That's a good thing. That is what is great about HKD. It can be different, but still with the same core principlese and such. The fighting and bickering about who or what is better is a waste of time.
As I said, besides being a comprehensive art, it is also an art that continues to change and evolve. last week with Kim Hyun, we did a little ground work that was more BJJ. He was saying how JJ went from Japan to Brazil and how they developed that into a good ground system and that it was important to know some of that too. HKD is a more stand up system, with the philosophy that you should stay off the ground, and many of the basic ground techniques are just how to get off the ground. However, Kim Hyun has practiced more ground stuff from BJJ so he can be a more complete martial artist and instructor. He said it was important to increase all of your martial art skills. I agree with him. That's why I sometimes do groundwork that I have learned from other sources in my HKD classes. I tell my students, I learned this from Mike Swain at the seminar last week, or from whatever source I learn it from, but after a while it all blends into MY Warrior Arts, and eventually into MY teachings. I was a sniper instructor for the U.S. Army, so that is part of MY Warrior Arts as well. And while I don't bring a sniper system to my HKD classes, it is part of me, and still influences my overall training and teaching.
Another thing that my instructors stressed was that it was important to think right, speak right, and have a good heart. They said that was one of the most important things, and that students watch instructors, so it was important to act right at all times. Teaching is very important. They were glad to hear that I wrote an article for Black Belt on Character. (And I recently sent them another article on Character that I'm still waiting to hear about)
Some post that what is important is what you do on the mat and how you train. That is right. I have Dr. Kimm's new book on the History of Korea and Hapkido. I have only read a bit of it, since it came right before I left for Korea, and I didn't take it with me. (Too big!) I do plan on reading it very soon, and I actually just ordered another copy for one of my students. We can both read and discuss things about it. But while history is important, for me the practical aspects, the training, and the striving to make things better, faster, more efficient is the most enjoyable and important part. I'm not as concerned as much with who's who as I am with the relationships with my instructors and students, and how can I make myself a better martial artist and a better instructor. What skills can I develop, and what skills can I pass on? That is what I focus on. The warrior lifestyle is a part of me, and I believe my training and studying make me a better person. I don't have time to bicker over stuff. Too many positive things to work on. Hapkido is a very important part of my warrior lifestyle and training, and it always will be.Anyway, those are a few thoughts on HKD from someone who just got back from Korea. The trip was too short, and I can't wait to get back there again. Hope this helps a little regarding HKD.
Hapki!
Alain Burrese
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The Most Important Thing
I recently returned from Korea where I was training there and need to catch up with blogging. I have a variety of updates I'll be posting here in the next week or two, including some information on a couple of exciting new dvds Aiki Productions is working on.
However, the first thing I want to post, because I think it is very important, is something one of my instructors told me in Korea. I was speaking with Kim Hyun, and he said, “the most important thing for a martial artist is to think right, speak right, and be right in the heart. “
I’ve written before about the importance of character, and this is just what we were discussing. All of us that practice martial arts, or more importantly the warrior lifestyle must live with honor, integrity, and discipline. We must all think right, speak right, and be right in the heart.
I’m sorry there have been no posts in a while, but in the next few weeks you will see more. For now,
Yours in Training,
Alain
However, the first thing I want to post, because I think it is very important, is something one of my instructors told me in Korea. I was speaking with Kim Hyun, and he said, “the most important thing for a martial artist is to think right, speak right, and be right in the heart. “
I’ve written before about the importance of character, and this is just what we were discussing. All of us that practice martial arts, or more importantly the warrior lifestyle must live with honor, integrity, and discipline. We must all think right, speak right, and be right in the heart.
I’m sorry there have been no posts in a while, but in the next few weeks you will see more. For now,
Yours in Training,
Alain
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Entrance
