Gedo Chang, Tammy Parlour and Hapkido in London

[Snusmumrik]

Hi to everyone!!!
I am very interested in hapkido and really want to start training in the nearest future, however, here in London there are just a few opportunities to do it. One of dojangs I have found here belongs to the school of GM Gedo Chang and the head instructor there is Tammy Parlour.
Can anyone please comment on the Gedo Changs school and the London dojang in particular? How it differs from other hapkido schools? Can you may be also recommend another school in London to look at?
I have made some research on the web but I couldnt find many comments on Changs school. Actually one of them said that Chang has removed many techniques from hapkido that he considers to dangerous.. Is it true?
Thanks a lot in advance!!!!

[iron_ox]

Hello,

I will give you my impressions based on several encounters with people trained and graded in Mst. Chang's "Wol Ge Kwan".

My first experience with them was back in about 1987 with Gedo son Ujin at the University of Illinois in Champaign. I went to train with them and in doing basic technique was told that many of the things I was doing had been "removed" because "westerners" could not comprehend such techniques. Struck me as odd.

Then, several years later, I was asked to provide training to a club that was at one time affilated with Wol Ge Kwan and the dan holder had left the club - that is when I was told the all the "violent" techniques had been removed, such as strikes to the throat, and replaced with "pushes" instead. In addition, a series of hyung or forms was added by Mst Chang - they are more like Shotokan style forms, except they are very choopy and seem to lack a certain level of smoothness and cohesion. The forms seem just slapped together in my opinion.

Here in Northern Illinois, I have met several dan level Wol Ge Kwan and Wol Ge Kwan affiliated students, and they all move very rigidly, and appear to lack any smoothness that I have seen in other Hapkidoin.

This is my opion based on training and observation of the people I have seen. Other opinion may vary.

Try International Hapkido at London Bridge, or Joe Marsh in Cheshunt - two better options for my money and people I have known for years in Hapkido - both might be able to offer help.

[Dave Boy]

Difficult to judge a class on a single persons opinion.

I've trained with Master Chang at a couple of his UK seminars and while it wasn't really my cup of tea - I wouldn't say don't give it a go!

As Kevin mentioned, there is an International Hapkido class around the London Bridge area - as well as a Jung Ki Hapkido class (Joe Marsh) in Cheshunt, although this may be a little out of the way for you. I can put you in contact with either of these if you want.

Another option would be to contact Mr.Barry Mann on 07903 018001. Barry runs a class in the HighGate area that may suit.

I've trained with all the people mentioned above and have my own opinions and insights - my advice would be to go along to each for a couple of lessons and see what you think. Get a feel for the individual classes, members and instructors and then make your decision from there.

Let me know how you get on.....

Best wishes,


Dave.

[Alansmurf]

there is a school in Brentford , Middx. only set up about a year ago dont know too much about it ..

[Dave Boy]

Hi Smurf - what info you got on the Brentford class? Name, address, contact?

Cheers,

Dave.

[Alansmurf]

Not much its where I work ...passed it a few times ...not had achance to pop in ...
Bush corner Brentford in a row of shops ...will get details tomorrow for you

[Dave Boy]

Nice one....appreciate the help...

[Snusmumrik]

Thanks everyone for replies!!!
I will definitely try other classes that will be close enough to me. Dave Boy, could you please send me contacts of International Hapkido? I would really appreciate that.

I have another question. According to the Changs School website one class takes about one hour. How is it possible? Even when I go to Gym it takes me at least 15 minutes to warm up and in case of hapkido, I guess, it should take longer to avoid injuries. So it leaves only 45 minutes (maximum) for training which is nothing? Am I right or is it normal for other hapkido schools?

Thanks again for your help!!!

[Dave Boy]

No problem....I'll PM you their mobile numbers....

As far as your question on class length is concerned, I would normally say that 90minutes is a minimum for a 'normal' Hapkido class - but I would prefer 2 hours to 'fit' everything in.

You can get a lot out of a class lasting only an hour, but would have to concentrate solely on a single aspect for each lesson.
ie. 15 or so minute warm up followed by a serious kicking session....or maybe a slighly quicker warm up followed by break falls and then a focus on hoshinsul........its really upto the individual instructor.

Cheers,

Dave.

[iron_ox]

Thanks everyone for replies!!!
I will definitely try other classes that will be close enough to me. Dave Boy, could you please send me contacts of International Hapkido? I would really appreciate that.

I have another question. According to the Changs School website one class takes about one hour. How is it possible? Even when I go to Gym it takes me at least 15 minutes to warm up and in case of hapkido, I guess, it should take longer to avoid injuries. So it leaves only 45 minutes (maximum) for training which is nothing? Am I right or is it normal for other hapkido schools?

Thanks again for your help!!!

This is an interesting question. Generally, it depends what you are looking for. In my opinion, one hour is too short - in paticular becasue most dojang like to spend 30 -40 minutes doing aerobic stuff - my students pay me for my knowledge of Hapkido - so that is what we do - 10 minute warmup and off to techniques for 2 more hours...a philosophy cultivated during my years in the UK with none other than Grandmaster Fred Adams of International Hapkido.

Good observation on your part...

[Alansmurf]

sorry office bound today will try again for you tomorrow ....cheers Smurf

[Alansmurf]

It s called Ultimate martial arts and advertises TKD, Hapkido and other Korean Martial arts
contact no. is 02085699971

cheers
Smurf

[Poorly knee]

Hello everyone. I’ve trained under Saboumnim Parlour for two and a half years and can confirm she’s an excellent teacher and runs an excellent school.

In that time I’ve learnt a wide variety of leg and arm strikes, elbow strikes, potentially crippling arm and joint locks, and various attack, escape and evasion techniques. All of the above can obviously be quite devastating when applied – and throat strikes are taught in several of the techniques as well as on their own…

So I don’t think there is anything ‘soft’ or ineffective in what she teaches in any way.

What is true is that she is a woman in a largely male-dominated martial arts world and because of this her classes tend to be less macho or posturing than a few martial arts classes I have attended elsewhere.

Consequently the school tends to attract people who leave their egos at the door and get on with the business of learning about hapkido without feeling the need to potentially damage each other solely to demonstrate the effectiveness of a technique or kick.

Saboumnim Parlour has also been taught by Master Gedo Chang for 28 years and she adheres to his philosophy of hapkido as a tool to develop the person as well as developing the person’s fighting skills. So there is some emphasis on the spiritual side of hapkido so it’s both the ‘martial’ and the ‘art’.

In terms of class times these run from an hour to 80 minutes and I certainly don’t feel like I’m missing out by classes not going on for longer, particularly as she now runs nine classes from Monday to Friday and most students do two to three classes per week. And most students also arrive early to warm up beforehand.

Hope this helps and answers any questions.

The school's website is: www.changshapkidoacademy.co.uk

[Saccade]

Just to bring this to the forefront again, for anyone who is in London and is looking for an excellent school.

The option to train everyday, every lesson, is great.

The teacher is spectacular to watch. I was very impressed by both her striking techniques (which I thought, at first, to be lacking in Hapkido - having studied in Martial Art that is "hard" more than "soft")

Her, well, striking (in the other sense) techniques and how the attitude, as soon as I spoke with Ms. Parlour on the telephone, and met - how I was welcomed the moment I entered the Dojang, remembering my name... (that was nice.) and made to feel as if my first Training session under her tuition was just for me...

I cannot recommend this school enough if it's good training and good attitude that you want.

Just to update upon what Paul has said - there are now 16 classes a week.

Eight Hapkido and Eight Ki Meditation.

Running at various times of day and for varying lengths (it seems on how busy the classes are or are not. A few I have been to have been well over the time specified).

If you're an early bird, there is the bonus of a good wake up session in the morning and another in the evening - 3 times on Fridays...

The link I've found most useful for the UK OR US (There's an option - just click the flag)is:

http://www.changshapkido.net/hapkido1_002.htm