Hapkido

 The techniques of Hapkido are themselves based on three underlying principles: The Water Principle, The Principle of Circular Motion and The Harmony Principle. There are several ways to describe what each of these principles means. A brief explanation by describing a Hapkido response to an attacker's punch directly to the face is in the following: Theory of you (Water): When deflecting the attacker's punch, we are like water which has been penetrated like a stone: no sooner has the stone divided the water than it flows together again to surround and envelop the stone. Similarly, we "go with the flow" in the execution of our techniques. Theory of Won (Circle): Instead of meeting the attacker's punch with a direct block, in other words meeting force with force, we would utilize the circular principle and deflect it and re-direct the force of the punch. The circle is always present in Hapkido techniques; it may be a large circle, which is performed when executing a throwing technique or a small circle such as that used in a wristlock. Theory of Hwa (Harmony): Even though the force of the punch is directed straight at us, we do not oppose that force but instead go with it. In this way we harmonize with the force becoming one with it. The art of Hapkido therefore combines smooth, flowing, evasive movements coupled with sudden hard strikes, which place great emphasis on "snap power". Hapkido has probably the widest range of kicking techniques of any martial art. There is a comprehensive range of escape techniques, which employ the use of pressure point attacks, joint, locks and throws, these are supplemented by the use of traditional Korean weapons covering a wide spectrum of self defence.