Hapkido

Anybody here have any experience with Hapkido or Modern Arnis? I have been studying for about 9 months now and am attempting to double test(to Green) in about 10 days. I love Hapkido and while sparring(Taekwando) is fun, I think Hapkido seems more practical on the streets, especially for women. All that being said I was just curious if anybody else took either of these martial arts. Thanks, Rick M. McKinney, TX

Hi Rick, I'm in Tae Kwon Do and current a high green belt. I have not worked out in several months but plan to go back after the 1st of the year. It is a family TKD here, my hubby is a 1st degree black, my 11 yr. daughter is also a 1st degree black, and my 5 yr. daughter is current a white belt. We love TKD and feel like it has helped our girls so much. My 11 yr. old went to the Jr. Olympics this year and won a bronze in sparring (she loves to compete, her and her whole 4' and 65 lbs. LOL) Good Luck on your up coming test(s)!!! Sherrie 273/239

Sherrie, Thanks for responding. My school also offers TKD. My instructor is 4th Dan in TKD, 1st Dan in Modern Arnis, and 5th Dan in Hapkido. I've noticed big differences in Hapkido and TKD mainly when it comes to sparring. We do not spar at all in Hapkido because it's generally too dangerous. At my belt level most techniques end with my opponent on the ground in pain. I would suggest looking into Hapkido if you're interested in how to end a fight very quickly. I'm trying to discredit TKD at all. They're typically in better shape and are much better kickers. I think TKD is really well suited for competition or tournaments where as Hapkido is better suited for street defense, etc. Thanks, Rick M.

Our whole family are in Taekwondo. Although currently we are not in it right now due to financial difficulties. We are getting back into it in the middle of January. Our children and I are green belts and my husband is a brown belt. We stopped in Sept when my surgery was near. I miss it terribly and we are going back in January. We started as white belts and my husband was already a green belt starting out last June 2003. I can't wait to go back. lisa 279\212\150

Hi Rick! My son started out in Hapkido when he was 4 1/2 and he loved it! Although when we moved back to the Fort Campbell area all we could find was TKD or various Japanese martial arts. (We did not want to cross into that and confuse him with yet another language! LOL!) He is 6 now and is doing well in TKD (2nd Yellow) but he misses Hapkido, he said it was more fun! LOL! I personally liked it b/c of the no sparring rule at his dojo. Good luck on your testing! I can't wait until I am healed enough to join my son and hubby at TKD. Brightest Blessings for a Wonderful Day~ Jamie M. Weight- 257/234/146 BMI- 44.1/40.2/25 Height- 5' 4" Surgery Date: 1/19/05 )o( No matter what size, we are all Gods & Goddesses inside!

Jamie, Thanks for responding. I passed my belt test in Dec and am now a Green in Hapkido. I love it and going is something I look forward to everytime. We also have no sparring in our dojang as sparring can be quite dangerous in Hapkido. We also have hosted some of the best masters of Hapkido including the founder Grandmaster Ji, Han Jae. It was a real honor getting to work and train with him. I hope you are able to find a good Hapkido school sometime and can get your son back into it. It is a blast and maybe you can hubby can join him in it! Regrds, Rick M.

Where do you workout? I am also in the Mckinney area and am interested in starting Hapkido. I took TKD for years, and am looking to expand my knowledge base (and get back in shape!) Please send me an email at [email protected]. Thanks for your time.