Pittwater Hapkido

Pittwater Hapkido

Founded by Master Kevin Brown. Established 2006.

Master Kevin Brown is a 7th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido with over 40 yrs martial arts experience. He is a Master Instructor and has been President & Technical Director of the Australian Hapkido Association for the past 20 years. Over the years Master Brown has run many women self defense courses for local councils and courses for troubled youth through the local police.

Master Brown has won numerous tournaments in self defense demonstration and was the Australian Hapkido Grand Champion in 1985. He also won the gold medal for self defense at the 1st World Yongmudo Championships in Korea in 2007 and holds a Certificate III in group exercise and Certificate IV fitness trainer through the Fitness Institute of Australia.

About the Australian Hapkido Association

We are proud to be part of the Australian Hapkido Association. When you join Pittwater Hapkido you also become an association member and you're welcome to train at any of the AHA clubs. As an association we regularly get together for camps, gradings, seminars and tournaments. Training with different students and instructors in the association is actively encouraged because we believe that it can be very beneficial for some students.

Hapkido

Introduction

Hapkido is a complete art of self-defense. A Hapkidoist is able to handle virtually any situation and is able to apply the self discipline and confidence derived from the study of Hapkido to enhance the quality of their life and protect the lives of those they love. Hapkido employs the philosophy of using minimal force to overcome a stronger opponent. Therefore, great strength is not needed to apply the techniques effectively. In addition, Hapkido uses pressure points to assist in controlling the opponent.

Hapkido has a powerful arsenal of spinning kicks, thrusts and sweeps combined with hard and soft fist attacks and defenses. As well as the use of kicks and punches, Hapkido uses nerve and pressure point attacks, wrist and joint locks, and many twisting and throwing techniques.

The popularity of Hapkido is due to the fact that anyone, young or old, male or female can practice this complete art of self-defense regardless of physical weight or strength. Health is improved through systematic training and exercise. Development of muscles and muscle tone, correct posture, control of weight, a sense of self-confidence, self-control of both mind and body, and spiritual fulfillment are just some of the benefits of studying Hapkido.

In Hapkido, linear techniques form a solid base upon which the skill of circular techniques can be developed. Everything is taught in correct order to produce a balanced martial artist able to handle any situation.

The meaning of Hapkido

In Korean Hap means to co-ordinate or combine. Ki means technique and can be interpreted as inner strength or power. Do means the way. Therefore Hapkido can be loosely translated as the way (art) of co-ordinated power.

Characteristics of Hapkido

Hapkido employs the philosophy of using minimal force to overcome a stronger opponent. Therefore, great strength is not needed to apply the techniques effectively. In addition, Hapkido uses pressure points to assist in controlling the opponent.

Hapkido has a powerful arsenal of spinning kicks, thrusts and sweeps combined with hard and soft fist attacks and defenses. As well as the use of kicks and punches, Hapkido uses nerve and pressure point attacks, wrist and joint locks, and many twisting and throwing techniques. Approximately 270 categories of special movements incorporating 3400 techniques are included in the study of Hapkido.

The popularity of Hapkido is due to the fact that anyone, young or old, male or female can practice this complete art of self-defense regardless of physical weight or strength. health is improved through systematic training and exercise. Development of muscles and muscle tone, correct posture, control of weight, a sense of self-confidence, self-control of both mind and body, and spiritual fulfillment are just some of the benefits of studying Hapkido.

In Hapkido, linear techniques form a solid base upon which the skill of circular techniques can be developed. Everything is taught in correct order to produce a balanced martial artist able to handle any situation.

Today, it is practiced by students of all backgrounds, ages and physiques. Hapkido can be applied from any position: standing, sitting or lying, and from any direction.

Comparison to other Martial Arts

Aikido. As in Aikido, the attacker is encouraged to over-commit their attack. The attack is received with minimal resistance, it is guided past the target and then the defenders own force is added to it. The result is to unbalance and throw the opponent. However, opponents do not always attack with large movements. Often short jabs and kicks are delivered with such rapidity that it is very difficult to lead the opponents force. In these situations, the close quarter blocking and striking techniques of Hapkido give the Hapkidoist knowledge of how to counter and overcome such attacks.

Jujitsu. Many of the joint locks and throws of Hapkido are very similar to those of Jujitsu. Painful twisting of the joints and tendons along with the application of painful pressure to vital points, combined with a thorough knowledge of human anatomy help to control any opponent regardless of size or strength. These techniques are fine for close quarter attacks, however because Jujitsu practitioner do not practice their techniques against proficient kickers or punchers, they are vulnerable to such long range attacks. Hapkidoists practice kicks and punches to a high degree of proficiency, thus the familiarity gained through practicing the techniques helps in defending against them.

Tae Kwon Do. Virtually all of the kicking techniques of Tae Kwon Do are identical to those of Hapkido. Spinning kicks, thrusts, circular kicks and sweeps are all used in sparring. Due to the fact that Hapkido is not a tournament orientated style, other techniques like low spinning kicks, low-section kicks and knee strikes are also used. The basic hand techniques of Hapkido are similar to those of Tae Kwon Do, that is, mainly linear attacks with fist or knife-hand. However in a confined space such as a crowded public bar or a narrow hallway, kicks are limited in their practicality. Self-defense tools such as elbows, knees, head butts and joint attacks are essential for survival in such situations. All these techniques are practiced in Hapkido to produce a thorough knowledge of all ranges of attack and defense.

Kung Fu. In Hapkido, as the student advances past the basic hand techniques , more emphasis is placed on small circular techniques and fast close quarter parrying which resemble the techniques of Kung Fu. Advanced weaponry techniques using the long pole Bo and the fan are similar to those of Kung Fu.

Judo. Throwing plays an important role in Hapkido. The basic principles of judo are used in Hapkido, that is, moving your opponents centre of balance to a vulnerable position and using your leg or body to topple the opponent. As well, Hapkido uses strikes or pressure points to maneuver the opponent with less use of strength.

Kendo. At advanced stages, students are taught Komdo. Basic strikes and blocks are similar to Kendo, however circular and low section attacks typical of traditional korean swordsmanship are taught once the basics have been learnt.

Hapkido - Philosophy and Principles

In Korean Hapkido may be translated as “Way of Coordinated Power”. There are literally thousands of techniques within Hapkido, all based on 3 fundamental principles

Principle of non-resistance or harmony
Circular principle
Water principle

By following these principles Hapkidoists are able to instantly adapt their technique to respond to any new unfamiliar self-defense situations. Hapkido students also develop a practical knowledge of anatomy so they can understand the bodies vulnerable points. Students also gain a basic understanding of Korean history and philosophy so a Hapkidoist can understand the context of their art.

Written by Master Daniel Marie on behalf of the AHA.