Dropping by...

[Tattooed_Monk]

Hello to everyone!

This will be my first Martial Arts forum, and I am looking forward to meeting many people and gaining knowledge from them aswell.

I'm 21 and live in wonderful, chilly Northern Alberta Canada! I have practiced Hapkido, Boxing, TKD , Kendo, and Kick Boxing. As well as read a few of Bruce Lees works...


Was almost a black belt in Hapkido before leaving(a choice I will forever regret)...Since then with my sporadic life and my not so great knee, I have just sort of maintained what I knew to work through "offical" study.


I practice Martial Arts for health and relaxation ( same reason why I golf, swim and bike). As well as for mental stability rather then to compete or fight anyways.

Looking forward to talking to you all!

[JadeDragon]

Welcome to the forum. Looking forward to your posts. Can you tell me a little bit about Hapkido?

[Tattooed_Monk]

Sure....

It is a dynamic and eclectic Korean martial art. Joint locks, pressure points, throws, kicks, and other strikes that are clearly modeled after other arts such as TKD, Akido, Judo....

Its a very counter oriented style, and it emphasized circular flowing non-resisting moves to gain control over the opponent. We were taught to use footwork and body leverage instead of strength on strength. To call it a soft art or a hard art would be incorrect, its like in the middle.

Its similar to Jeet kune do in a way I think cause although there are some "core" moves it stays away from following a strict style. Cause it aims to be a well rounded defense package. And in my opinion teaches how to usefully employ pressure points and locks, we were taught not to go straight for the lock but instead bridge gaps or intercept attacks with joint strikes and kicks etc.. first then mangle the heck out of their arm,neck, chin, leg etc.

Ground fighting is taught, but mainly to regain ground and footing, or to finish a downed opponent. Weapons are taught, some are traditional and others are improvised...

Its not really sports focused either.

It also has some breathing techniques....

Heheh alot of folks around here laugh at me when i say "I do Hapkido, a self defense art. Cause they say " more like break half the bones in a guys body and make him regret trying to start with you..THEN defend yourself". Which I think is in a way true, cause a lot of moves we are taught can leave a person damaged for life..or otherwise...all in the name of escaping right....

Getting out of a bad spot is what its all about....and we are trained to well stay out of shady areas, try to talk your way out first.. try and walk away...if not...make it so you can. Also taught to look out for the weak/those incapable of defending themselves.

Our instructor told us that Jackie Chan does Hapkido, mixed with his time as a Chinese Acrobat. Im not sure how true that is..

But i do know for sure men and women are equal in this art, Ive trained with a few women who excelled at it and left me going home sore and shaking after class hahahah. As well as witnessing guest male's from other arts(some of these dudes pumped iron aswell) spar with these girls and were left sucking their thumbs in the corner. And they are not big girls..

Anyways thats my take on the Art, hope it helps...can go deeper I think at another time....anyone who has done Hapkido aswell, and had a different perspective(way they were taught and such) Id like to hear aswell....

[Ben Grimm]

It's Sammo Hung (Jackie Chan's older brother that does Hapkido), Jackie does WT. Anyway, welcome aboard.

[JadeDragon]

It's Sammo Hung (Jackie Chan's older brother that does Hapkido), Jackie does WT. Anyway, welcome aboard.

What does WT stand for? It's probably something real obvious and I'll feel stupid when you tell me.

[Tattooed_Monk]

World Taekwondo Federation?



And thanks for the clarity heheh, I was like 14 when he said that to us and he probably even did say Chans bro was the Hapkido Practitioner, but it was so long ago hahah.

[Ben Grimm]

WingTsun (Dr. Leung Ting's version of Wing Chun). And please don't feel stupid. There's no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer.

[jubaji]

It's probably something real obvious and I'll feel stupid when you tell me.

So you'll feel the same way you always do?

[Tattooed_Monk]

WingTsun (Dr. Leung Ting's version of Wing Chun). And please don't feel stupid. There's no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer.

Like my ridiculous attempt to answer? hahah took a stab in the dark there....

[Ben Grimm]

You didn't know so I wouldn't call it ridiculous. You learned something you didn't know, so it's all good.