Aikido vs Hapkido | What's The Difference?

In this video we take a brief dive into the histories of Aikido and Hapkido, what makes them similar, and what separates them. The way they were both developed, their shared roots, and changes over time are interesting to look at. By Matt Hinkamp

Song used in this video: ***Art of Silence - Breaking Copyright***

[ironmikehallowween]

I was a Hapkido instructor, and one of my brother n laws was a Aikido instructor. I think there are many differences. In Hapkido, we taught strikes to set up throws, finished joint locks with strikes, kicks, or stomps, and utilized many Judo style throws followed by joint locks to finish. The mentality was completely different at my school than at his school. His school was about peace and flowing motions that were designed to protect one’s self with out injury to one’s opponent. In my school, our goal was to completely take away the physical ability of our opponent to continue. We did share some joint locking techniques, some throws, and rolling techniques, but our styles and our mentality was very dissimilar. I did think Aikido was graceful and elegant, while Hapkido was more like a bull in a China shop, and his Pants were certainly cooler than mine.

[WiDEEyeDSmILes]

"I hesitate calling any one art complete" Frick THANK YOU. I'm soooo tired of people hearing about one art and immediately trying to sus out "superiority" *eyeroll* rather than study and gleam nuance between techniques/history or learn more about body mechanics. Learning is not a game to win. Fellow Hapkido practitioner here; keep up the good content, 👍 Kyungnet

[Artificial.rainlee]

I got my first dan in hapkido in 2017, still training and I appreciate this video a lot. Great vid

[CorinShadowblayde]

Great video. I’ve been teaching Hapkido for over 20 years now. A very good friend of mine is an aikido teacher. We love to train together and enjoy looking at the similarities as well as the differences.

[rezamorin-dayani]

Nice take. I'm an Aikido practitioner far from my home Dojo and was considering checking out the local Hapkido class, it's nice to know they share similar roots even if they've evolved differently. My first martial art was Tai Kwon Do, so I think I may appreciate the fusion of hard and soft styles all the more.

[anthonyfoley]

I am a Aikido Practitioner and I echo your comments, spoken as a true martial artist and a gentleman, Thank You.

[Shadowrulzalways]

I practiced, Boxing, Muay Thai, Karate, Judo and Atemi-Ryu JuJutsu. I always mained JuJutsu cuz it’s a much more combat oriented art and it’s helped me for years. I see Hapkido as Korea’s JuJutsu as Daito-Ryu Aiki-JuJutsu is the main base form of the art.

[DocsChannel]

This is the most fair and articulate description of the two I have seen in a while. You clearly have a favorite (as do most) but do not insult the other. Very good job

[TheLowCarbCocktailGuy]

Great video as usual Matt. I did study Aikido for about a years when I lived in Shreveport (no hapkido schools there). Through aikido training, I was able to enhance my circular movement as well as gaining a deeper understanding of flow. But to what you were saying about some say hapkido is harder than aikido, I totally agree. I call hapkido "aikido's mean cousin". Keep up the great content. And we really do need to train together some time.

[michealpuckett]

Very good presentation .Totally agree with your position on not criticizing anything because of difference, schools and practioners. I study both Aikido and Hapkido both are great and supplements each other. Aikido adding more flow . I don't think Ueshiba meant for Aikido to become soft think the loss came through misunderstood concepts as it spread to the western world. Hapkido maintains its roots. The two together works well in my opinion. Thank you

[RS-vpjd]

In my IHF do-jang, the Hapkido we practiced had many elements, including Judo, Brazilian JiuJitsu, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, elements of Karate, western boxing, with options that you could go on to a professional level of training into Golden Gloves boxing or MMA if you wanted to make money. Also, weapons training included a Korean version of the Katana. Basically, the Hapkido we practiced was an eclectic art incorporating the styles & techniques from a wide range of martial arts that worked. One technique was available to students was Iron Fist which few chose to acquire high skill in due to the damage & loss of function in your fist.The Hapkido was family orientated & emphasized morals/ethics along with right behavior & fair play as well as combat skills. My only regret is that I did not start earlier than I did.

[ryanpeplinski]

Talent is also large component. People may learn techniques of Jeet Kune Do but may not have the same talent as Bruce Lee. Or, the pianist and a piano. A good functioning piano is not inherently bad or good sounding, it depends on the talent of the musician and context.

[mcpknsk]

What non-koreans know as 'hapkido' is actually 'hapkiyusul'. The founder of hapkiyusul, Choi Yongsul, never named it 'hapkido'.

Korea and Japan both use hanja(kanji) with different pronounciation. (Hanja is Chinese characters.)

For example, 孫悟空 is 'Son O Gong' in Korean and 'Son Go Ku' in Japanese. Similarly, judo(柔道) is pronounced 'yudo' in Korean, and kendo(劍道) is pronounced 'kumdo' in Korean.

In the same way, aikido(合気道) is pronounced 'hapkido' in Korean.

Choi Yongsul's students started to call 'hapkiyusul' as 'hapkido' after their master passed away. It was possible because aikido was not known in South Korea at the time. It was also a sort of marketing, to name a martial art with '-do' at the end.

대한합기도회(dae-han-HAP-KI-DO-hoi) is official organization in South Korea for 'aikido'. (KAF, Korea Aikido Federation)

It seems that this informations is not known well outside of Korea. I hope this comment help you.

Sorry if there are any English mistakes.

[stevet]

Excellent presentation and analysis. I’ve been practicing aikido for many years and I love it, and it was good to see the two arts side by side here. Their shared Daito-Ryu roots are very strong. And I most appreciate the respectful tone you were able to adopt. Very nicely done!

[lewisb]

Great video, I do hapkido and BJJ. Both Aikido and Hapkido are holistic martial arts however, I find Hapkido to be more functional possibly due to the tang soo do influence. I also find Hapkido instructors are more open to outside influences.

[MCP]

Very well done, Matt. Thanks for this one. 👍🏼🤗

[merlin]

I too applaud the idea that no art is complete. I have studied Aikido/Aikijujutsu since 2004. Before that I earned Black belts in Wing Chun, Shotokan Karate and Savate. To my mind, the study of multiple arts gives you more tools in the box to draw on if needed. I will say though there comes a time when you will stop thinking and just move.

[scott]

Excellent video myself I practice Hapkido and also Taekwondo. I love them both. I totally agree with you about everything you mention in this video. Again very well done!

[gustavoadolfovasquezperdom]

I love the way you respect everyone and every art, think your attitude should be the one that we as martial artist must show, teach and live.
#respect
Hapki!

[reycfd]

Thank you for your insightful as well as respectful history and analysis of hapkido and aikido. Very nice.