Monday, 30 June 2008

Korean Martial Arts Adventure Episode 1:합기도, HapKiDo. . . . Or Why I was so darn happy to come to Korea. . .




Anyone who knew anything about me before I left to be a Soldier could tell you that I love martial arts. I love the challenge of being placed in individual combat, I love the fact that if I mess up it's instant pain, punihsment nd a lesson learned. And if you knew anything about me before I became Army Strong, you'd also know my martial arts of choice, and lifes passion, is HapKiDo. HapKiDo is a Korean martial art, based off a form of Japanese Samuai Juijutsu (google: Daito Ryu AikiJuijustsu) taught to a Korean called Choi, Yong Sul. Grandmaster Choi took what he learned to Korea calling it Hap Ki Yoo Sul, (Korean for Aikijuijutsu). Then a Korean by the name of Ji, Han Jae came along, added some wicked foot work, and BAM HapKiDo was born.

I am training in Korea, the homeland of HapKiDo, and it is absolutly fantastic. The concepts are univeral in HapKiDo, but the individual techniques are quite different from what I originally studied in the States. Alot more emphasis on pressure points, and finesse than what I used to train.
Also my instructor Master Bae, teaches us Kumdo and basic Iado techniques aswell, (respctive posts sure to come). I won't go an brag about how awsome my instructor is (as much as I'd love to) instead I'll just leave some links to a show the Discovery Channel did on HapKiDo, featuring the same man I train under regularily:

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/2/10/10395/6776

enjoy

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