RJRKihap

I was reading an article stating that you should focus on only one art until you've mastered that art. Focusing on more than one will distract/hinder you from perfecting either art. Kinda the "Jack of all trades, master of none" theory. Any ideas on this theory would be appreciated. Ron

From my experience Hapkido seems to be 50% striking (both hands and feet) and 50% joint locks, throws, arm bars, etc. This holds true whether it be defense against punches and kicks or defense against various grabs or chokes. Again, just my experience. Ron

I currently study Korean martial arts. Tae Kwon Do for example, even though traditional, we emphasize kicking over hand techniques at a ratio of nearly 90%. How do kicking techniques figure into Karate? What is the emphasis of kicking to hand techniques? Thanks for the info. Ron

It seems (please correct me if I am wrong) that the WTF is strictly a sport association and has nothing to do with traditional martial arts. So in order to participate in the Official Sport referred to as "Tae Kwon Do", you and your school have to belong to the WTF. If this is true, then I can understand how the WTF ended up in such a position. Perhaps if the WTF returned to the mudo of Tae Kwon Do and focused less on the sport then this type of "mess" can be avoided. Just a thought, I could be wrong. Ron

It seems that if you add politics to anything you end up with nothing. I really hope that the WTF (or more importantly the individual members and schools) can continue to exist. Ron

I was reading the most recent issue of Taekwondo Times and there were several articles about the WTF ranging from arrest warrants for Dr. Unyong Kim and his son, to the possible removal of Taekwondo from the Olympics all the way to organized crime influencing the WTF. This all on the heals of the USTU and the Olympic Committee ordeal. Does anybody know what is going on? There are a lot of good people in the WTF and USTU, so please do not slam the practitioners in spite of the organization. I would like to know the correct story from those in the know. Thank You Ron

At our school we are required to make a minimum number of classes between belts (16 for 10th to 5th Gup, 24 for 4th to 2nd Gup and then 32 to first Gup) plus instructor approval. Then from 1st Gup to Black Belt is about 6 months with instructor approval. Two and a half years is the very minimum with most people between 3 and 3.5 years. With Hapkido, figure at least 4 years at 3 classes minimum per week. From what other TKD practitioners tell me, we are a bit longer than most schools, but I guess that’s not always a bad thing. We’ve had students at 1st Gup for almost 2 years. Our Master will not award you a black belt until you can do everything required of you.

I've only been exposed to No Contact sparing. I am concerned that since I have very little worry about being "hit" I am more willing to try high kicks, spinning kicks, jumping kicks, etc since the worst that will happen is my partner will score a point on me. I'm wondering that if I knew I could get "hit" would my choice of techniques be different? I am also somewhat concerned that I would “freeze up” in a real life situation. My Hapkido training is a bit more realistic but still very safe and controlled. Any input would be great. Ron

A lot of what we train for in HKD is to wait until you are attacked (hand, foot, grab, choke, etc) and then to respond by using your opponent’s energy against them (deflect a punch - counter strike, joint lock from being grabbed, shoulder throw from a knife attack, etc). In fact one of the tenants of HKD is there are to be no initiative attacks. HKD is also a very close-in martial art. You are working right next to your attacker (within inches if that). There is also no "fighting" aspect to HKD. The "put up your dukes and slug it out" approach doesn't work with HKD like it would with TKD or other martial arts. Strictly self defense. HKD is an "internal" and "peaceful" martial art similar to Aikido. In fact as I understand it, the founder of HKD was a student of Aikido during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Following WWII and the end of the occupation he was able to develop HKD. This is my experience with HKD. Others may have different experiences. I also have no experience with Kenpo so I cannot comment on that martial art. I hope this helps. Ron

Our TKD school teaches non contact sparing with the notion that contact will lead to injuries which will lead to less training and eventually dropping out. I agree with this in principle but I feel that some good can come out of actually being hit (knowing what it will feel like and how you will react) and hitting. Anyone with any thoughts?

How do you guys/gals last 2 hours. I know after 1 hour of TKD I'm usually exhausted, sometimes to the point of having to sit down for awhile. On the rare occasion that I have a HKD class following my TKD I have to make a special effort to "take it easy" or I won't make it through HKD. I'm in pretty good shape and I'm not the only one in class that is exhausted following class. So what are your secrets. Ron

Our school is set up as follows: Start with a bow to the flag then the instructor. Then meditation. Warm-ups & Stretching Then in line we go through the various hand attacks and kicks (basically the cardio portion of the class) Now we break into partners of the same rank to work on our current curriculum such as defense against punches, kicks, wrist grabs, garment grabs, etc. We then move into falling, throws, takedowns, joint locks, etc. *** Some of the classes are dedicated to Sparring where your partner attacks and you defend and then vise versa. To put a real world spin on what we are learning. Class ends with meditation and then a bow to the flags & instructor. Since Hapkido is based and focuses strictly on self-defense (no tournaments or competition in our system), forms might now be as applicable as in TKD. Like TKD and TSD, Hapkido offers an excellent opportunity to develop mind, body and spirit. Please understand that this is reflective of my experience with Bong Soo Han Hapkido and Traditional TKD. Other people may and probably do have other unique experiences. Thank You Ron

Thank you so much for the info. I'm going shopping this evening for some blocks. Ron

For my next tournament I would like to break a cinder block slab or two. I’m thinking a hammer-fist. I’ve only broken boards so far. Any input on the proper way to break cinder blocks would be greatly appreciated. Ron

Our school is set up as a TKD school but offers a complete HKD program. I'm very fortunate to have enough time to train 5 days a week in both arts. They are such great complements to each other. My HKD really helps during TKD Ho-Sin Sul and sparring.