Combat hapkido and MMA

[doc97]

After having a bad experience with a traditional hapkido dojo (basically all low rank belts were ignored in a VERY large class) I have found a place that offers combat hapkido and I am very interested in it. They also offer TKD, and reading previous posts I understand that TKD and CHK supplement each other rather well. However recently they have added a MMA class. It seems to me that CHK and MMA would also work very well together. My main motivation for studying martial arts is 1) something I have always wanted to do and 2) lose weight. But also I would like to learn some self defence and hapkido has always appealed to me.

My question is have any of the CHK practioners on MAP also trained in MMA? Did they find it helpful? I would suppose that both TKD and MMA both give a good work out so for fitness I wouldn't be wrong with either. Just interested in all of your input. Thanks!

[Thomas]

Combat Hapkido and MMA may share some basic commonalities, especially in an openness to explore, add and subract and to customize the art to fit one's need. However, their root philosophies are a bit different.

MMA is basically an art designed and evolved to fit the context of specific types of competition, under a set of rules with an emphasis put onto seeing who can apply technique more effectively under pressure against a similar trained opponent. Combat Hapkido is a streamlined core art that helps people apply basic prinicples and techniques in an open environment such as a self defence situation. To do this it adds in elements of weapons, awareness, levels of force, and a different philosphical take on using the art (in non-consensual violence).

As a student, I find that TKD offers me a great system of linear footwork and striking as well as good fun cardio class. The Combat Hapkido expands my self defence options to take into account surprise, weapons, awareness, levels of force, circular philosophies, and so on. These two programs complement each other very well for me personally. I think MMA would give you a great opportunity to try out the striking, locking, throwing skills in a controlled environment to help you build the confidence and skills in your empty hand abilities. The grappling component and the tie-ins to striking and clinch ranges would be a nice complementary set of skills/practice for anyone, especially a TKD/CH student. ANd the CH would blend in the "real world" applications beyond the one-on-one bare handed fight.

My advice: give it a try and see how you like it. Just don't get overextended with doing too much at one time. Maybe focus on one program for a while until you have the basics and then try the others (I would of course ask for a trial lesson in all three first and then start with the one I liked best first)

Best of luck!

[doc97]

As always good advice Thomas! The school offers a dual membership for TKD and CHK and since they are held back to back twice a week that may work out better schedule wise. Also I don't see myself joining the UFC or Pride anytime soon!! :D

I really enjoy reading the hapkido forums, everyone seems to have really good insight to pass on! Reading these plus having a good friend of mine who was a 2nd Dan in hapkido has really fueled my interest.

[removal]

I'm spending 1 month in GongKwon YuSul WEBSITE (http://www.gongkwon.com)
This art was originally called 'Combat Hapkido' when it first started by the founder, Kang Jun, in the late 90's, but he changed the name...
Essentially, the base of it is Hapkido, but added to it are features of other arts, to create a more grappling-based style. However, having also studied in 'pure' Hapkido, I can say that this is TOTALLY DIFFERENT to train in.

I also agree with Thomas, to try and focus on one art at the beginning. Perhaps you were just unlucky with the first Hapkido class you were in. I can't believe all classes ignore lower rank belts. Try another Hapkido class before you try MMA.

[doc97]

Great advice again. I do have a yellow belt in TKD which the dojang will let me transfer my rank. The school I started at was, dare I say, a McDojo. When the grandmaster found out my profession, all I heard was "sign up for my black belt program, you can afford it!" That put me off and was problably my main reason for getting out of training, that and an achilles tendon injury. However I am starting to miss it. This school is well known for its TKD program, and the classes are not so big that you feel like a number. I think they added a MMA class secondary to the popularity of the UFC, pride etc.

I think I will just start off with the TKD, being that my main focus is to get into shape and add CHK at a later date. I like the definition Thomas gave for MMA. If I ever want to get into competition, TKD will be much more to my liking as well as my body. Not as young and flexible as I used to be!

Thanks for your input!

[Shihan]

Greetings all,

I've studied traditional hapkido for 7 years and CHK for the last 3. I've also crossed trained in san shou (chinese kickboxing) in between time. The study of san shou also included grappling. I have founded it to be a great compliment to my CHK training. It allows me to fight/defend in all ranges. Even though we don't want to go to the ground in a fight or self defense situation, the ability to defend (not fight) on the ground and get back up quickly is very important. If you're looking for self defense program, check out the curriculum of the dojang and see if it meets up to the definition. I hopes this helps doc97.

[Hapkido7]

Greetings all,

I've studied traditional hapkido for 7 years and CHK for the last 3. I've also crossed trained in san shou (chinese kickboxing) in between time. The study of san shou also included grappling. I have founded it to be a great compliment to my CHK training. It allows me to fight/defend in all ranges. Even though we don't want to go to the ground in a fight or self defense situation, the ability to defend (not fight) on the ground and get back up quickly is very important. If you're looking for self defense program, check out the curriculum of the dojang and see if it meets up to the definition. I hopes this helps doc97.


Happy B-Day-----Robi

[doc97]

Thanks shihan, and yes it does. The biggest thing I want to get out of my training is an enjoyable fitness routine, so I think I will stick to taekwondo for now and perhaps train in CHK later down the road. Like all newbies, I look at the UFC and Pride and think to myself 'that looks pretty cool' , but in all reality I will never end up fighting in a MMA match, plus if I ever do want to compete, taekwondo will allow me to do that, and seems to be much gentler on the body! Again thanks for the advice!