The requirements for testing for black belt in Hapkido do not only include physical requirements; every student testing for black belt must write a short statement of philosophy.  The statements are 1-3 pages in length and can cover any topic that the student feels is relevant to his or her practice of Hapkido.  Below are a few papers written by students in the past.

•  "4th Dan Statement of Philosophy" by Brian Hayes

•  "Balance in Hapkido and Life" by Beth Cody

• "My First Semester as a Hapkido Instructor" by Dustin Sellon

• A Reflection on the Water Principle by Dustin Sellon

• "Statement of Philosophy" by Robert "Bo" Blalock

• "Walking the Walk" by Scott Williams

• "Statement of Philosophy" by Jim Jespersen

• "Statement of Philosophy" by Mark Willi

• "Statement of Philosophy" (decided) by Carla Colletti

• "Statement of Philosophy" (recommended) by Carla Colletti

• "Path of Least Resistance" by Junko Kobayashi

•  "Statement of Philosophy" by Michael McDonald

•  "Flow" by Beth Cody

• "Hapkido" by Sheldon Klein

• "From the Top" by Jeremy Derderian

•  "Statement of Philosophy" by Beth Cody

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