Hapkido is a traditional Korean martial art that emphasizes both practical self-defense and health. The word Hapkido can be interpreted as “the method of harmonizing energy”, where Hap means “harmony” or “coordinating”, Ki means “energy” and Do means “method” or “path”.

Hapkido evolved during the middle of the twentieth century by selectively combining a wide range of existing martial art skills with new innovations. There are two major personalities who have made Hapkido what it is today and could be referred to as founders of Hapkido: Grandmaster Choi, Yong-Sul (1904-1986) and Grandmaster Ji, Han-Jae (1936).

Do Ju Nim (Inheritor or "Leader of the way") Ji (founder of Sin Moo Hapkido) integrated the cane techniques, the long and short stick techniques and a large part of the kicks into Hapkido. He trained two very famous Grandmasters, Han, Bong-Soo (founder of the International Hapkido Federation) and Myung, Kwang-Sik (founder of the World Hapkido Federation). Later he awarded them both the 9 th Dan. He also trained Grandmasters Kim, Jin-Pal (Hapkido Martial Arts Federation), Kim, Sung-Su, Oh, Se-Lim (the Korea Hapkido Federation) and Song, Jae-Han.

Hapkido is not a competitive sport. In Hapkido we practice no kata, there is no sparring, and we do not enter tournaments. Violence is not a game and should be avoided at all cost. However, if physically attacked, one should be skilled in eliminating the threat as quickly as possible. Hapkido techniques are designed for defense from street-type attacks.

Practitioners of Hapkido generally avoid using force against force, which is often preferred in “hard styles”. Instead, Hapkido is considered a “soft style”, where the attacker’s energy is received and redirected to the defender’s advantage, and followed through with offensive techniques.

Redirection of force, blending with force, constant movements, varied rhythm of movements, circular movements, Ki-power and live-hand are the core technical principles of Hapkido.

Hapkido utilizes more than 1100 core techniques, which are modified or combined to create thousands of variations. Hapkido techniques include strikes, kicks, blocks, avoiding movements, holds, joint locks, chokes, throws, breakfalls, tumbling and rolling, jumps, ground fighting, weapons, meditation, and healing. All techniques encompass offensive and defensive modes, against single or multiple opponents, from standing, sitting, reclining and airborne positions. Some Hapkido schools emphasize certain type of techniques, such as kicking, or exclude other techniques, such as ground fighting. At Hapkido Vancouver, all type of techniques are being taught and practiced.

A progression system of eight colour belts is used in our school (white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, red, and brown), before the black belt levels. At each level, there is a well-defined curriculum that encompasses various techniques and other elements of the art. While each technique is “complete” and useful on its own, they also represent a strong foundation for subsequent techniques.

At Hapkido Vancouver there is no mandatory belt testing. Students progress at their own pace in a non-competitive atmosphere. Ranks are awarded based on skills and the amount of time spent in training at one’s current rank. Promotion from one rank to another occurs through formal testing. The testing fee includes the belt and the curriculum of the next belt level.

Hapkido provides complete physical conditioning which improves balance, posture, flexibility, timing, muscle tone, joint strength, and confidence through physical and mental discipline.