WOMEN
WOMEN
WOMEN
WOMEN
Wellington
Hapkido Academy
WHAT IS HAPKIDO
Hapkido originated in Korea in about 1950 from an amalgamation of many styles. Hapkido teaches you to defend yourself and others against a variety of attacks. It combines hand strikes and powerful kicking with joint locks, pressure points, holds, takedowns and throws.
Hapkido includes the use of everyday items, such as coins, pens, magazines, and bags as defensive weapons. It also offers very good all-round physical training – improving your aerobic capability, strength, stamina and flexibility.
The emphasis is not on hurting other people, but on being able to protect yourself and others around you with reasonable force. Hapkido’s techniques are based on an opponent’s attack, meeting that attack, turning it back on the attacker, and following through with offensive finishing techniques as required.
Hapkido’s development of combining techniques using the three distances of kicking, punching and grappling into powerful defenses makes it a total martial art.
The best way to describe Hapkido is a “Mixed Martial Art” although unlike modern “Mixed Martial Arts” our focus is not on competition but on practical self-defense. Hapkido is a unique style that will enable you to defend yourself in just about any situation.
HAPKIDO FEDERATION OF NEW ZEALAND
Wellington Hapkido is affiliated with the Hapkido Federation of New Zealand, the governing body of traditional Hapkido in New Zealand. It’s Founder and President was Grand Master Lee Jung Nam, 9th Dan Hapkido; 9th Dan Taekwondo.
Hapkido in New Zealand recognises Master Callum Forbes, 7th Dan Hapkido, based at the Upper Hutt Club, as its Chief Instructor. He runs Hapkido New Zealand with help from senior instructors at affiliated clubs around the country.
The website for New Zealand Hapkido is www.hapkido.co.nz
We are also a membering club of the World Kido Federation and Hanminjok Hapkido Association.
The World Kido Federation is one of the most renowned and respected Korean self-defense Martial Arts organisations in the world and the Hanminjok Hapkido Association is the largest Hapkido organisation in the world with over 550 member clubs in South Korea alone.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST CLASS
When you arrive one of the instructors will introduce themselves. You will be encouraged to join in or watch a class. Joining in is the best way to gauge if Hapkido is for you.
Before you start the instructor will normally ask you a few questions about your martial arts background and physical health. They will also provide you with a membership form. There is no obligation to join.
If you think you might try it out, just wear a T-shirt and shorts or track pants. Bring a bottle of water too if you like.
A typical class consists of a warm-up followed by either some fitness drills or some kicking and punching drills. This can be quite intensive, so just do what you can.
The class is normally broken up into various grades at this point with instructors providing guidance where appropriate. Then we may do more striking, or move onto some self-defense / joint locking drills.
Finally, we normally finish with some sparring (controlled fighting) which most beginners are encouraged to join in if they want. At the end of every class, we do some stretching as a cool-down.
You will be given a membership application form and asked a few questions such as medical conditions, and background.
If you have more questions don't hesitate to contact Peter on ph: 021 431 561