HAPKIDO - Definitions and Questions
Hapkido - The way of coordinated power
Hap - Coordination
Ki - Power or inner strength
Do - The way of
Three basic principles of Hapkido:
1. Circular Motion - The way a circle is used to move an attacker
off balance. The same circular motion is
used to gain speed and force to take that
attacker to the ground.
2. Non-Resistance - The way an attacker's own force can be used
against himself (do not meet force with force).
The way one uses minimal resistance and
counterforce to defend oneself from an attacker.
3. Water Principle - The way one flows around an attacker
(like water around a rock) and counterattacks
at the attacker's weaknesses.
Why do we yell in Hapkido?
1. To let our air escape when we fall, thus, not choking on our
breath when we impact the ground
2. To help focus our power and strength when directing a force
into a single burst of energy
3. To intimidate an attacker
4. To communicate with a partner for safety
(to indicate when one is ready to be attacked and when
one is attacking)
How do we develop our Ki?
1. By a breathing exercise called Ki-no-ki
2. By meditation
Updated January 2004