WHAT IS HAPKIDO?

Hapkido is a powerful and innovative Korean martial art and self- defence. Literally translated the word „Hap“ means coordination or harmony, „Ki“ denotes the essence of power, and „Do“ means the art or the way .

Hapkido incorporates powerful and precise kicking techniques; fluid and highly effective throwing techniques; and decisive and sharp hand techniques (strikes, punches, throws and holds etc.) . This practical martial art is the result of a 1300-year development of the w ay .

The philosophy of Hapkido stems from three basic principles:

1. The first principle is non resistance : yield to your opponent by meeting force with minimum force by one self to deflect and not clash with your opponent's power.

2. The second principle is the one of circular motion : the use of circular, fluid, flowing movements is emphasized rather than linear movements.

3. The third principle is the water principle : total penetration of an opponent's defenses through continual attack. Instead of opposing force by force, a Hapkidoist completes his opponent's movement by "accepting his flow of energy as he aims it" and defeats him by "borrowing his own force". Many movements end in throwing or holding techniques.


A good Hapkido practitioner does not oppose force or give way completely. A Hapkido practitioner is pliable as a spring; he is the complement and not the opposition to his opponent's strength.

Through the training with differently weapons, e.g. the knife, the sword, the stick, the cane, the fan etc. Hapkido is a complex combat system.