MODERN HAPKIDO and the Duk Moo Academy By Master Kim Beom What is Hapkido? Hapkido pursues improvement of the body, in a system comprised of Do (the way), Bub (method or rules) and Sul (techniques). ‘The body’ does not only refer to the physical structure, but means both the physical structure and the mind of an individual. The social relationship of Hapki refers to the relationship between a body and another body. That is, between one individual and another individual, or between an individual and society. Overall, the ultimate objective of Hapkido is to combine and transform. For westerners, Ki (energy or power) might be a very difficult concept to understand and many people have misunderstood it. It is not their fault, but there has been a lack of proper interpretation and training methods. Hapki does not only denote the method of concentrating or focusing inner energy. This is only the broad concept that you may encounter online and is nothing more or nothing less than an image, like an advertisement of a product exposed to a consumer. In fact, many people who talk about ‘Ki’ or ‘Hapki’ do not know how to concentrate or focus inner energy themselves. Therefore, their explanations and interpretations do not include the real meaning of Hapki. With regards to personal training, firstly, Hapkido involves maintaining calmness by harnessing the Ki that flows as a result of other Bub and Sul. Secondly, Hapkido is training to overcome a certain limitation, as humans act in opposition to nature in the middle of a very personal interest. When you try to overcome a limitation with a deliberate human act, there will always be accompanying side effects. It may even risk losing life. It is very dangerous to try to perform Bub and Sul deliberately, without the guidance and proper instructions of a Hapkido Master. If you look at Hapkido in relation to an individual relationship, the techniques of 12 TKD/KMA WWW.TAEKWONDOMAG.CO.UK
Hapkido are always considering and dependant upon the opponent, whether the opponent is one’s friend or not... The bible says: “If your friend asks for your clothes then give him your underwear too and if he asks you to accompany him five miles then accompany him 10 miles.” This is similar to the concept of Hapkido. In Hapkido, if another pulls you then be pulled, if another pushes you then be pushed. This puts oneself in the favourable position or condition, without being opposed to nature. Lastly, I would like to address the social meaning of Hapkido. In relation to training, the sprit of Hapkido is freedom. If we look at the daily training system, Hapkido starts from the weak. If, in a fight between two people, where one has 100% strength and the other one has only 50% strength, obviously the one with only 50% strength is always in an unfavourable position. However, with Hapkido, the positions can be reversed. If the weak borrow 30% strength from the strong, then the weak become stronger with 80% strength and the strong become weaker with only 70% strength. At that moment, ‘who is the stronger?’ is not the question, because a small community called ‘us’ is developed. Thus, we form Hapki (us) in our relationships with others. This entire concept is implied in the spirit developed through Hapkido training. An opponent in training should be treated as equal. He has a right and duty to be treated in that manner in the spiritual world developed through Hapkido. Training in Hapkido involves comprehending individual issues, relationships with partners and opponents, and the meaning of society and nature. An ideal Hapkido training/education system is not to reach
the ultimate goal later, but to express and reveal the lessons and understanding as much today, through one’s own trained and developed body and mind.
The position of Duk Moo Hapkido in modern Hapkido ‘Hapkido’ was named when it was opened to, and when it started gaining much popularity with, the general public in Korea. The use of Do has been enshrined in Korean terminology throughout Korean history. For example, the traditional Korean tea ceremony Dado is the unique form of, and etiquette involved in, preparing, serving and drinking tea that has been practiced in Korea for thousands of years. Literally translated, Dado is the way/art of ceremonial tea making (Da). Korea is a country that has maintained its own unique cultural identity for more than 5000 years, despite so many invasions from, and wars with, other countries. Even when the ancient Korean martial arts were becoming overlooked and were losing their true value as a result of several incidents, the Korean nation tried to maintain its connections and its spirit. During the 19th Century, it became a fashion to use the word Do in Japan. The Japanese even call their course of tea ceremony Sado or Chado. The Do concept was distributed by Japan without any significant intention. The true concept of Do has been restored in Korea by senior members of modern Hapkido, as a significant system which embodies Bub and Sul. Grandmaster Ji Han Jae first established the name of Hapkido from Yusool or Jujutsu. Though, kicking and breathing techniques that were different from Jujutsu were already established at that time. It was only an educational system, as Do, Bub and Sul could not reach spiritual training. This is because, as Hapkido became popular with the general public,