What is Hapkido Even Good For?

In this video we explore the common criticisms that Hapkido practitioners face today, and why some people still feel valid in practicing this art and even making it a lifestyle.

I have been practicing Hapkido since 2001 and have seen the ups and downs that it faces. This is why I still do it. By Matt Hinkamp

Some gear I use:

[MattHinkamp]

I do make an error here explaining the history of Hapkido, stating that its creator, Choi Yong Sool, was influenced by Aikido, when in fact he and the creator of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei, were both individually influenced in Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu by Takeda Sōkaku.

I gained historical understanding from my Korean grandmaster, which it appears I slightly misunderstood due to the language barrier, and used it here rather than researching further to confirm. I figured personal testimony from a second generation master trumped anything I could get online. It does, as he definitely understands the history completely, but I just misunderstood it, hence the mistake here.

Thanks to all who pointed it out

[grappler]

Ex-cop and Hapkido black belt. Hapkido is a seriously misunderstood art that hides in plain sight. The circular breathing and philosophy kept me centered and stable even in some pretty bad situations. Thank you for the video.

[sputniksmom]

Ex-bouncer here. Been doing hapkido for 50 years. Seemed to have worked OK for that job. A lot of my students went into the military, police work, or prison guards. Seems to work OK.

[SpiceDees]

I spent time in Korea, the way they teach there is more dynamic, as far as almost everyone had military training. Many people in my dojang were police, military or pro fighters and bodyguards. A few injuries, but training was serious. The attitude was very traditional. Respect was number 1. Belts were not so important, but your age and knowledge were used to improve every class. I think the main point wasn't money. Sometimes the head teacher would drill you do hard a couple of days. Then call you to the front the third day and call everyone to attention, then award you a belt. Usually to claps and tears of joy. The higher students really helped the lower students, like a big extended family. Even me, a Migook Saddam (Foreigner) Thank you all my Hung Nim (Big Brothers) in Korea. You are great people.

[nealteitelbaum]

I studied Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, and Hapkido and Hapkido was, by far, the most useful. It helped me to control situations where I needed to defend myself but didn't want to hurt my attacker. Mostly with drunk people at bars. It may also have saved my life when someone put a gun to my head in an attempt to rob me. Training kicked in and without thought I disarmed him just before the gun was at my head. I don't know if he would have shot me but he sure was trying to rob me. Having the ability and training to defend yourself without causing serious damage to the person you are defending against has been invaluable. For certain people, like working at a bar, a prison, police, and military I can't recommend it enough. From what I've seen it is modern, flexible, and willing to adopt new techniques if they prove to be effective.

[ruiseartalcorn]

I think Hapkido is an excellent martial art! I have been practicing martial arts for about 55 years (mostly Kung Fu based) and have been an instructor since 1982. My focus (from a physical perspective) is on practical self defense, however I think that ultimately the point of martial arts training is to make a better person, not a better "fighter".

[infinitycombatsystems]

All Hapkido I've ever studied or taught has crossed into groundwork and striking, it ultimately comes down to the teacher and style that you study under, I also study BJJ and have done Boxing and kickboxing, but Hapkido is very diverse and really depends on who you train with and what not

[wizardseye]

I have only recently started studying Hapkido. I've trained in other arts, principally Jiu Jitsu, Shorei Ryu Karate, and Muay Thai. But I've also dabbled with a handful of others including Shotokan, Wing Chun, Krav Maga, and Systema.

I've worked in both law enforcement and tactical security. When thinking about getting back into martial arts, I started to think critically about each of the times that I've had to go hands on with someone in real life. I came to the realization that in every physical encounter I've been in, not once did I kick or strike anyone. Every time it was about gaining control and compliance of the other person.

When I came to that realization, I asked my self if that's the case, then I why am I studying strike based martial arts? What I need is something more grappling based. Likewise, I have never used any of the jiu jitsu I've learned in a real confrontation. It was always grab an arm/hand and get control. It is for these reasons that I have decided to look more closely at Hapkido.

[michaelbcarbone]

@MattHinkamp Great explanation! I was once a student of Hapkido as a teenager. Didn’t last long (only a yellow belt), but it made an impression on me enough to start studying Aikido in my 30’s. I enjoy the variety of resources on the internet and you have now become one of mine! 😃. Thanks for sharing and posting!

[williamhallthorsson]

I studied hapkido for over four years. In my experience it is completely different to aikido. There was both striking and grappling. It was one of the hardest martial arts for me to learn because there was so much content.

[mindakota]

There was an amazing amount of striking and grappling in Won Mu Hapkido.

[gregory]

I have a huge turn around in my regards to Hapkido. I practiced this for some years and thought it unpractical to a real street fight. But realistically, all the elements to survive an encounter are there in Hapkido. It is a truly beautiful art.

[KnowPorcelain]

I trained in HKD for over 11 years, and yes there is a view that groundwork is a weak point, and is one of the reasons I left HKD, but upon learning groundwork I began to realise a few things, blending with your opponent, and redirecting your opponents energy along with circular movement are the basics for groundwork too, once understood, you will be amazed at how many HKD techniques you can fit into ground work. If you are contemplating ground work, take some lessons in a ground art along side your HKD, once the basics are learnt and put it into practice, you will find its not an alternative to Hapkido, but an extension. @ Leo Parafuso, good luck on your Hapkido journey, it will be a blast, trust me.

[Georgeamarustudios]

The Hapkido dojang where I tried had a great emphasis on strikes and our grappling was on par with various BJJ students who visited. However, I've since found that curriculum varies greatly from one Hapkido school to another.

[jeffreydonaldson]

Practiced with Judo and Tao Kwon Do . Kicking and Grappling mixed with it helps it to become a better all around self defense program. Called Hwa Rang Do. It is a Korean art also. I liked Hapkido and Judo because the attacker has to come to you .Add low kicks or leg sweeps .
That 3 to 5 feet boundry really helps better with self defense. Some street fights go to the ground within 20-30 seconds for the most part. You can also throw one attacker into another once their lined up. It is easier to use their body weight against the other . More power than a punch by most people.

[mario.]

Dojunim Choi Yong Sul was not influenced by Aikido. He developped Hapkido( or Hapkiyukwonsul ) based on the Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu he had learned with Takeda Sokaku Sensei ( who tautht O Sensei Ueshiba Morihei too, founder of Aiikido ).

[stevenlowe]

Hapkido has Aikijujutsu origins in common with Aikido but is not at all like Aikido. I am 60 and spent my life as a bouncer, bodyguard and have all but lived in hard bars and clubs. My Hapkido has served me very well.

[mario.]

in Dojunim Ji Han Jae's lineage of hapkido (the one that is most spread all over the world) there actually is a large enfasis on striking( punching, kicking, elbows, knees, everything)

[swimmingmantis]

I have been learning Hapkido for a very long time, started with an uncle at Five and I’m thirty seven now. Hapkido has served me well many times over the years. And while I’ve used it for self defense, I can boast that a majority of those who considered me enemy now call me friend and brother. Keep training ❤

[anthonyrogers]

The way you train and teach your students will dictate how well they actually apply there techniques. I've studied hapkido my entire life. Second generation practitioner. My father was army special forces and taught hand to hand combat to green barets. I have used my hapkido in real fights threwout my life and had no problem winning or just easily defending myself without fighting . When I teach my student I give them realistic approach to what there learning and as long as you incorporate, bag work, sparring and good combinations to your training as well as conditioning and hard sparring they will learn what they can apply fairly easily. You only need a hand full of grappling techniques to get back to your feet. have the students roll as part of sparring. Sparring sessions should be wrestling/grappling no strikes. Stand up no grappling. Then one person attacks the other defends with grappling and switch. Then a free for all. The students will get so much better this way. Sparring is a tool not a game of tag. I have several experiences where my students had to stand up for themselves and used techniques i taught them. Hapkido is a great style to learn it falls in the teachers hands as far as how useful it will be to the students!