TNT

looking into different styles, a bit overwhelming keeping it all straight...so please be patient....would I need TKD as a base to study hapkido? Would you say that hapkido and aikido are similar and differing that aikido would be used to quell an attacker and that hapkido would then apply undue force??? Am I making sense? Wait DON'T answer that question!!lol

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Tom Yum

If your dead set on learning TKD, then try to take it at a school that dabbles with judo, jujitsu or hapkido - those styles teach realistic self-defense techniques that can be learned quickly and effectively.

Aikido is a very complicated art to learn and takes years to be really effective. If you want to learn an art that really gets into eastern philosophy, then go for aikido.

I've never studied aikido. People that have studied both aikido and hapkido say that hapkido is a more complete martial art and is a little rougher on the opponent. Its not anymore rough than traditional japanese jujitsu.

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TNT

Tom,
Thanks for the information. When you say hapkido is a more complete martial art, what is your criteria for calling it "more complete," further, what questions should I be asking ? You mentioned schools that dabble w/ other MA's....perhaps its best that I just stick with SD, where they utilize techniques from various disciplines.

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IPON

You do not need a foundation in TKD to learn HKD. I think Tom was suggesting if you were to practice TKD it would be better to find a school that utilizes other grappling/SD styles.

I was told that HKD is Aikido in Korean. Both styles are based on Japanes Jujutsu. The issue with HKD is whether the founder actually studied Jujtusu or learned by observation (won't get that deep for now). The techniques are similar (locks throws), of course more kicking and strikes for the korean HKD. I also think that the SD philosophy of HKD is different from the passive Aikido

my 2 cents

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A person who is said to be proficient in the arts is like a fool. Because of his foolishness in concerning himself with just one thing, he thinks of nothing else and thus becomes proficient. - Hagarkure

TNT

Ipon,
Makes me lean towards Hapkido. Thanks for the 411 from the 212!

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Szczepankiewicz

It depends...

What are the goals of your training?

What you get out of it is going to depend on who the instructor, what their goals in teaching are, what style(s) they are teaching and many other factors.

Most Hapkidoists I've met are all sissies.

Spanky

Szczepankiewicz

In fact, the only thing more sissy that Hapkido is that group doing the Sputter in Canada.

Or maybe some British Policemen.

Ok, in all seriousness, the two key ingrediants for study are: who's teaching, and who's learning.

Alain Burrese is 2nd Dan in Hapkido and man can he put the hurt on ya.

So it really does depends on who you're training with.

Spanky

Thai Bri

Can he do it to non compliant training partners?

IPON

Yes he probably does it to willing partners as well

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A person who is said to be proficient in the arts is like a fool. Because of his foolishness in concerning himself with just one thing, he thinks of nothing else and thus becomes proficient. - Hagarkure

Tom Yum

I seem to have doubled this response; go to next post

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Tom Yum

It depends on your goal. If you want to get fit and learn a few self-defense techniques and maybe explore your competitve side, get into TKD.

What I was saying about HKD being complete is that you learn to throw kicks and strikes to enter or counter attack and take them out with joint locks (techniques that bend things the way they shouldn't), throws, sweeps and chokes. As you progress you receive training in weapons - staff, sword, and cane (walking cane).

Aikido focuses more on principles that lend themselves to self-defense and is 90% defensive. IMO you need an arsenal of offensive techniques for self-defense as well as defensive.

IMO its great for a woman or man who wants realistic self-defense that can be learned within 3-6 months of regular training, fightness and martial art culture all in one. It would take you a few years of aikido practice to be able to apply your self defense techniques but you get a lot of martial art culture in aikido.

I don't know how comfortable you are with physical contact and personal space, but HKD is for those who are comfortable within a 1-2 foot radius. Other arts like Brazillian JJ are for those who are comfortable hugging strangers wheras TKD is for those who don't like getting closer than 2-3 feet. This is definitely an issue for women as you see TKD classes heavily populated with women and BJJ classes with hardly any at all. Kickboxing-type sparring is option in HKD, but limited free grappling happens as you advanced.

When women or men are mugged, a common tactic is to strike when they are entering or exiting their car. With a car door in your way and not alot of space between you and your assailant, you won't have much luck kicking (like TKD) because you will be operating within a very close range maybe a few inches to 2 feet so you might consider a martial art style that deals with striking from close range and grappling.

Again it all depends on your level of comfort and interests. If you're a social butterfly with absolutely no inhibitions , then I'd go for muay thai or jujitsu. If you're a mild mannered type, then hapkido, wing chun or judo might be appropriate. If you get shaky at the thought of looking someone in the eyes or hurting them, then go for aikido or taijiquan.

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TNT

SPANKY!!!! que carafresca!!!!!

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TNT

Thanks for all the input!!! You guys are the best!!!!

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Szczepankiewicz

Like me?

Tom Yum

That's an understatement

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