Why Do You Practice Hapkido?

[Korpy]

So why do you practice and take Hapkido. Come to this thread to discuss why.

[Thomas]

Combat Hapkido opened my eyes to more practical self defence and an alternative path in the martial arts to the competitive side (the TKD I started in was tournament flavored). Combat Hapkido provided the different levels of force/response to "just" striking and opened up a new realm of footwork, movement, and breathing (and thinking).

Interest in Hapkido combined with an opportunity to go to Korea on an extended basis and I was able to study Hapkido there. The depth of the footwork, breathing, levels of force and such added another element for me.

Coming home, Combat Hapkido offered a way to synthesize all these elements into my "own" style that fits me. I love the sheer depth of opportunity that Combat Hapkido offers and I love the base of concepts and skills that Hapkido provides. What keeps me going back again and again really is that I could study the art for 2 lifetimes and never "learn it all" or "perfect it all".

[HapkidoScott]

I actually stumbled upon HapKiDi (and TKD too) as it was the only other style available besides Shotokan which I just didn't dig on (no offense, just not my cup o tea). Now I can't get enough I think about it constantly. The instructors and my fellow students are all great people who respect each other and its just awesome. The art itself is just a perfect match for me. HapKiDo and Scott go together like peanut butter and jelly!

[Coges]

I initially liked Hapkido because of the fluidness of the movements. Having long been a fan of CMA because of that very reason Hapkido just seemed like a perfect fit. After I began to get further into it everything else came out of the woodwork. I just love the way you can minimise or maximise the amount of damage to an opponent throught the same techniques.

One of the reasons I do practice though is to have the chance to go to Korea in the near future for competition (mainly demos). Can't wait.