Should I try Hapkido?

[TFG]

I'm thinking of trying it out, but I don't know a whole lot about it, or how it compares to Kajukenbo.
They have free classes at the gym on base. Of what little time I have, most of it is dedicated to maintaining
and progressing with what I already know. The big disadvantage I have right now, is I have no one to train
with that is my size, and I'm afraid if I take up another martial arts, that I may fall behind in my studies.

Any advise?

[badsifu]

Move to where there is a Kaju class.

[Vala Au]

Jason,

I picked up a Blackbelt in Hapkido when I was stationed in Korea (81-82).  The instructor was pretty good, being a national champion in Yudo (judo) and Cirum (Korean wrestling) as well.  Alot of ground work and throws involved with a military edge being he was a ROK soldier.  From the Hapkido I've seen in the Mainland, it just looks like Tae Kwon Do with a few wrist locks.  Hap ki do is the Korean version of Ju jit su.

But any training is better than none to fill a void.  Especially if you're in the military and travel around.  Try to cross train in as much stuff as you can.  Bruce Lee said, "absorb what is useful".  Remeber your Kaju roots and honor them.   It would only be arrogant and denying your personal growth if  you don't train because there's no Kaju available at the time.

So, go to the buffet, eat what you want, and leave the rest.

[badsifu]

Jason,

I picked up a Blackbelt in Hapkido when I was stationed in Korea (81-82). 

Was he heavy? 

[Vala Au]

Yep, after doing it for 5-6 hours a day, as there was nothing else to do on the DMZ.

[TFG]

Move to where there is a Kaju class.

That's easyier said then done. I'm in the military so moving is not an option at the moment.
I do train with my kids, but I can't beat down the little buggers or I'll go to jail

[Gints Klimanis]

Move to where there is a Kaju class.

Isn't the spirit of Kaju integration given that it started as a blend of several arts ?  At the very least, training in other arts allows you to know what they are about so that they can be evaluated based on experience.

Hapkido's Marc Tedeschi has written a number of "bibles" that document a huge variety of techniques with detailed descriptions and photographs.  They are awesome references.

[badsifu]

If I am out of good ice cream I won't go eat my freezer burnt ice cream.  Instead for dessert I'll have something like cake, or cookies, or brownies. 

Do they have boxing, wrestling, judo, or BJJ there?

[Gints Klimanis]

Is it fair to judge Hapkido as inferior ?  Using the dessert analogy, if you open the freezer door every now and then, you might find something new to eat that you may like.

I'm sure we've all found that studying with other teachers enhances our primary Art.  Studying Eskrima (short range Serrada, Medium Range Dequerdas, Long Range Larga Mano) really helped me understand the Club and Knife defense Arts.

[Vala Au]

I can see BadSifu's point about wasting your time with something ineffective.  But be objective.  Just because it Hapkido doesn't necessarily mean it's the same garbage that riddles mcDojo community.  Alot of programs integrate ground work now.  If it's on a military base, the instructor may have even been trained in the real stuff oversea and not the commercial crap.

Like any program you're gonna get into, check the WIFM, what's in it for me.  Is the instructor good, how do the students look, are the moves practical, how can they benefit the Kaju you're already doing.  Sounds like the price is right, but Caveat Emptor.

[TFG]

There is Akido guys, they had a pretty good relationship with my Sifus, and even traded students for training.
I was told there training was pretty harsh, I shook their instructors hand once and that was one hell of a firm handshake!

We also have a Shotokan Karate School here. The Instructor came by our class a few times before our school closed. I watched their class and my kids participated in it. There were some things I thought were cool, but some of the techniques were different. Nothing bad to say about them, I just don’t want to develop that type of muscle memory.

Aside from that, we have some Combat school and some other commercial Taekwondo school. I have nothing nice to say about these two schools, so I’ll leave it at that.

[Gints Klimanis]

I can see BadSifu's point about wasting your time with something ineffective.  But be objective.  Just because it Hapkido doesn't necessarily mean it's the same garbage that riddles mcDojo community. 

I can see BadSifu's point completely.  My opinion of Hapkido is that it has become one of those "super systems" that has absorbed pretty much everything around it.   Sure, you have some statements from the founders talking about inventing particular flying kicks, but that's old hat. Many of the influential American martial artists were originally exposed to Asian martial arts on military bases.  So, let's get the report from TFG after he's trained in Hapkido a bit.

[Sifu Sin Bin]

Personally I don't care if the sign on the door say Hapkido or BuBuWaa, I have seen schools with Kajukenbo on the door that I would not train in. All that matters is; can and does the teacher give you the tools needed to be a better fighter, and equip you to be better able to defend yourself and your family, end of story.

[TFG]

Thanks for the advise everyone. I'm still not sure if I want to try it or not.
I should at least go there and introduce myself and watch a class. I'll admit it,
I'm biased and I think all other martial arts are second rate when compared to
kajukenbo. No matter what my Kajukenbo training comes first, so any other MA
training with have to done at my convienence.

The biggest advantage I can see with the Hapkido is the physical contact I need.
When I'm self-training, I always open up a can of whoop a_ss on my invisable friend.
But my invisable friend refuses to fight back

I wonder what they would think if I did a cup check?

[cirillo]

I trained in Hapkido for about six years.  I found it VERY different from Kajukenbo.  It was useful for locks, throws and some grappling.  Keep in mind that Hapkido has a controversial history (or lack of).  The one thing that I sort of believe is that there are many different types.  Everybody believes that they are teaching the REAL thing.  Some say, 'Real Hapkido has no forms'.  Well, I learned forms in the Hapkido I took.  The person that I took it from was Master Ik Jo Kang in NY.  He works for the Korean UN delegation, so he is direct from there, not a citizen of the US.  In other words, a bit of a traditionalist.  However, he came out of the Kuk Sool Wan system, so he did weapons (they are known for one stick, one knife) with his Hapkido.  I have seen at LEAST eight different Hapkido systems and they were all TOTALLY different.  So... my point is... buyer beware.  I would watch some classes and see what they actually teach.  Find out the instructor's lineage, just like always, and check it with some other martial artists that know the system.

Just my suggestions.  I was never satisfied in Hapkido, but I did find some like-minded training partners and we enjoyed beating on each other on the off days of class (my instructor there let us use the school, so at least he was open-minded).

Good luck.