Hapkido - What is it?

Hapkido is often called the “complete” martial arts for its comprehensive armoury of defensive tactics. Its powerful strikes, kicks, locks, throws, pressure points and self defence principles ensure that it is indeed complete.
In the most comprehensive tome on Hapkido Marc Tedeschi says “ Most martial arts place an emphasis on two or three technique areas.

Hapkido is somewhat unique in that it attempts to integrate seven areas: striking, avoiding and blocking, holding, throwing, internal techniques (meditation, breathing, internal energy development) and healing. The first six area are emphasized equally during formal training. The seventh area healing is usually part of master level training…….”

However, Hapkido draws on hundreds of years of martial arts practise and knowledge and ancient knowledge of proper breathing techniques, using the body’s energy sources and pressure points are all key ingredients of this martial art.