Historically Grandmasters often trained in several arts while teaching only
their core art, we recognize that even with Hapkido as the center of your training, it is important to recognize other sources
that influence self defense techniques. To meet the Grandmasters that have taught us Hapkido, click on the link above.
The United States has added methods of defensive tactics training for law enforcement
and seen the clear definition of pressure point techniques from George Dillman as well as being perhaps the major market for
Hapkido instruction in the world today.
Korea is the birthplace of Hapkido whether one means the Hapkido of Grandmaster
Choi Yong Sool or the Hapkido of Grandmaster Ji Han Jae and some of his most famous students Grandmaster Bong Soo Han and
Grandmaster Kwang-Sik Myung. Please see the history page for more information about the roots of Hapkido.
Japan is recognized as one of the sources of Hapkido flowing from Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jutsu.
The Philippines have contributed the weapons arts called variously arnis, kali,
and escrima. While the symbol above does not have flags for Indonesia or Malaysia, there are pieces of other southeast
Asia martial arts that have come to all of us through Pencak Silat that should not be overlooked. Hapkido practice
can be enhanced by having an open mind and seeing how what is taught from another culture can be adapted to fit into a Hapkido
framework.
China may very well have played a role in the development of Hapkido with both
Chin Na and Shuai Chiao though their relationship, if any to Hapkido is lost in the mists of ancient history.
These cultures and martial arts all have had an influence of the development of
Modern Hapkido.
