Billy Jack

Thank you all for your insightful responses. I have always had a keen interest in pursuing a Kung Fu style, but held back because of the knee issue/concern. Your responses encourage me to move forward.

I have visited a number of Hapkido dojangs and Aikido dojos recently during actual classes. Both are impressive in terms of joint locks and takedowns. Question: Assuming one has an instructor of similar qualifications, which art should one pursue with the primary purpose of becoming proficient in self-defense within 5 years. Second question: Which art is more demanding from a physical fitness standpoint. Example, I witnessed the Hapkido master telling students to do a type of pushup that is many times harder than the standard pushup, whereby one has to cup both hands together on the mat, under the chest, and roll/push forward without falling over. It just seems that traditional Hapkido requires a somewhat greater degree of physical fitness just to make it through classes. When I visited a Combat (non-traditional John Pellegrini system) Hapkido class, the physical fitness requirement was not quite as demanding as that found in a traditional Hapkido school I visited. You did have to work hard in the Combat Hapkido class (push-ups sit-ups, thorough stretching, etc.).

I am exploring the possibility of taking a Kung Fu style (i.e. Hung Gar, Tiger Style, Wushu, etc.). I have heard that due to low crouching stances, this can be murder on the knees. Any thoughts?

Fenwick1999, You claim in your post the Sensei Uyeshiba was demon possessed. I'm curious, what basis do you have for this claim?

I just had a friendly debate with someone who studies Hapkido. He claims that boxing is useless against Hapkido. I said I'll bet that if Mike Tyson agreed to fight your Hapkido master (4th Dan), on the street or in the dojang, Tyson would win. I was told I was wrong, and that the Hapkido master would simply kick Tyson's knee to disable him and follow-up with additional techniques, and therefore boxing is useless against Hapkido. I contend that a boxer like Tyson is not going to just stand there and let you kick his leg or knee in, and that he will control and use distance to his advantage before delivering a knockout blow. What do you experts think?

Having worked as a police officer in a large metropolitan area for 10 years, I probably got into more fights than the average citizen ever will. Fortunately, I worked for a progressive law enforcement agency that embraced martial arts training (Hapkido). I employed mostly wrist and joint locks to subdue a suspect or extract a suspect from behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. I also used a side handled baton, as well as kubaton to restrain felons. If you make a mistake in the dojang or dojo, you get a second chance. Make one on the street and you may not. There are no winners in a street fight.

I must say that I have tried Grandmaster Pellegrini's system of Combat Hapkido, and find that it is a superb system. It incorporates the best elements of traditional Hapkido without all the katas. It's effects are devestating. Without reservation I can highly recommend this system to anyone who is serious about learning the art of self-defense.

Hi Karatekid, Go to http://www.ichf.com and you will find the videos...around $49.00 I just found one of GM Pellegrini's classes in my area late last week and attended it. I'll let everyone know how it turned out later. Gotta run for now.

Due to work, I have a limited time available (2 nights per week. Maybe 3 on occasion). I would like to get "rooted and grounded" in one system, with the option to branch out in the future if I choose. There are a million taekwondo dojangs in my area, compared to only 1 quality Hapkido dojang, where taekwondo is also taught. I am told the instructor is much harder and demanding on Hapkido students than Taekwondo students, and it takes far longer to achieve 1st Dan with Hapkido. My solution? Pick the best taekwondo school in my area. Immerse myself in taekwondo with the goal of achieving black belt within 4 years. Then, if I choose, I can take hapkido because the kicks, punches, and strikes will be related. Everybody says that Hapkido is better than Taekwondo for self-defense; however, I have a belt in nothing right now. I'm thinking that a green belt in taekwondo from a great instructor will dramatically improve my self defense ability. What do you experts think?

I am in the process of trying to decide between traditional Hapkido and "Combat" Hapkido as taught under the Pellegrini system and the International Combat Hapkido Federation. Before I commit, I would be interested in some comments from those who have experiences (pros and cons) to share. Thanks for your comments.