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Hapkido
5/23/2007
I took up Hapkido again last week. I know, I know, it's not the most effective style for street fighting -- for that I should go back and train with Mike Hess -- but this school is within walking distance and with Will not having a car these days it'll just make things a lot easier.
It felt exceptionally good to get back into a dojang. The years of absence rippled away as forms, kicks, and break-falls came right back with ease. I wasn't as rusty as I'd feared. I was also reminded how much I disliked the gym with it's dull routine and noisy crowded environment. This felt so much more right. Why did I stay gone so long?
Hapkido, for those who don't know. is somewhat analogous to Japanese Aikido. It is a "soft", "circular" style that emphasizes joint locks, throws, and tumbling. It's kicks are usually low-blows and it's hand strikes are limited. It also has little in the way of ground fighting. I personally believe a practical street-usable martial arts should stress hand strikes and ground fighting so I can't really recommend it for self defense. It is, however, excellent for all-around conditioning and will doubtlessly be more useful in an emergency situation than say basketball, soccer, or golf. You also have to give it props for its cool, Venom-esque uniforms.
5/23/2007 | Permanent Link
