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14 January 2008
Kingsland Martial Arts
The Kingsland club have moved to a permanent martial arts facility!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about KHFNZ or hapkido in general check this list of common questions (and answers) first
- What is hapkido?
- Who is the founder of Hapkido?
- What types of techniques are involved in the practice of hapkido?
- What types of attacks does hapkido defend against?
- What benefits are there in training in hapkido?
- I weigh X kg/I'm only Y m tall! Can I do hapkido?
- Is martial arts training for me?
- OK it looks good - how can I try it out?
- Is Kukjae Hapkido a Sport?
- Where can I do kukjae hapkido in New Zealand?
- Is hapkido training safe?
- What is the difference between Hapkido and Aikido?
- Where can I train in hapkido in the United Kingdom?
- What does kukjae mean in English?
What is Hapkido
Hapkido is a korean martial art described as "The art of co-ordinated power" derived from its three separate words "Hap" meaning together or uniting, "Ki" meaning energy, spirit or life force, and "Do" meaning the way or path.
An article is available explaining aspects of Kukjae Hapkido compared to other martial arts.
Who is the founder of Hapkido?
Choi Yong Sul founded Hapkido based initially on Daito Ryu AikiJutsu techniques. Later korean kicking and punching techniques were incorporated by Ji Han Jae.
What types of techniques are involved in the practice of hapkido?
Hapkido includes strikes and punches, kicks, breakaways, joint locks, chokes, pins, pressure point techniques, throws, takedowns, trips, development of skill in falls and rolls, and training in various weapons principally the cane, short stick, and long stick.
What types of attacks does hapkido defend against?
Defenses exist for strikes and kicks, for hair grabs, clothing grabs, wrist and arm grabs, bearhugs as well as various disarms when faced with common weapons such as a knife.
What benefits are there in training in hapkido?
Aside from the excellent self-defence aspects of hapkido there are a number of other benefits in training. Hapkido is very good all round physical training improving aerobic capability, strength, stamina, and flexibility. In addition hapkido will improve your balance, speed and awareness.
I weigh X kg/I'm only Y m tall! Can I do hapkido?
Hapkido is suitable for both men and woman regardless of size and height. In same cases height can be an advantage (reach for kicking for instance) but smaller people have an advantage of a lower centre of gravity (good balance) and speed. Hapkido is a circular art and as such does not rely on physical size or strength.
Is martial arts training for me?
Good question! Take a look at this article if you aren't sure.
Ok it looks good - how can I try it out?
The first lesson is free at most clubs - check with the instructor of the club that you are interested in investigating. Check the club details for a class to attend. A set of loosefitting clothes (e.g. trackpants and t-shirt are ok) are ok to train in. It might be an idea to let us know you are attending a class in advance.
Is Kukjae Hapkido a Sport?
Kukjae hapkido is a martial art of self defence. It is not a sport.
Where can I do kukjae hapkido in New Zealand?
There are currently clubs training in:
Auckland Region
Tauranga Region
Manawatu Region
Wellington Region
- Upper Hutt (Headquarters Club)
- Wellington South (Children's Hapkido)
- Wellington City
Nelson Region
Otago Region
Is hapkido training safe?
Well there is no denying that hapkido is a contact sport but every precaution is undertaken to avoid injuries. Before and after a hapkido class extensive warmup and stretching excercises are undertaken. New students will quickly learn how to breakfall properly on mats. Sparring is performed in a control manner normally "no contact". Training in hapkido is all about "learning" not about "winning" and people work together to learn techniques.
What is the difference between Hapkido and Aikido?
The founder of the Japanese art Aikido, Morehi USHEBA (O-Sensei), trained in Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu. This form of Jujitsu is understood to be the art on which much of Hapkido is based. It is because of this common foundation that a close relationship between Aikido and Hapkido is inferred. The similarity of technqique is apparent in the circular non-resistive motions, joint locks and throws.Both arts teach their students to receive an attack with minimal resistance, move it past the defender and then add the defender's force to it. This results in the opponent becoming unbalanced and vulnerable to throws, locks and other takedown techniques. In fact the styles have very different philosophies. Unlike Aikido, Hapkido teaches offensive techniques as well as defensive techniques. A Hapkidoist mixes hard techniques with the soft (including kicks and strikes).
An article is available explaining aspects of Kukjae Hapkido compared to other martial arts.
Where can I train in hapkido in the United Kingdom?
Here is a link for people interested in doing Hapkido in the UK. Please note we have had no personal dealings with this club or its instructor: Fred Adams International Hapkido (UK)
What does kukjae mean in English?
Kukjae means "international" in English (so Kukjae Hapkido = International Hapkido)