Traditional Hapkiyusul

03/08/2026

"Wrist techniques. Why?"

Many ask about the practicality of wrist techniques in Hapkiyusul—the techniques used when someone grabs your wrist. They ask “who actually grabs someone’s wrist when attacking?”. It’s a reasonable question.

The main reason for training wrist techniques is not practical application. Rather, wrist techniques are practiced to develop the correct body and mindset necessary for the “practical” techniques that can be used in the real world. This way of training is unique to Hapkiyusul. In the short term, it may seem that simply repeating and drilling "practical" techniques will make you really good at them. However, learning "practical" techniques before a foundation is laid in the body will fade quickly especially as the body ages and begins to deteriorate.

In Hapkiyusul, even though it takes more time, effort is placed on laying a strong foundation and building a body that can be used not only now but well into old age. Techniques mastered through a properly developed body can be applied regardless of age. In fact, they become more refined and deeper over time (this is a point that is sometimes overlooked, but it’s not a concept you find in most other athletic endeavors and what makes Hapkiyusul special.)

Just as a bodybuilder uses various exercise equipments to build a muscular physique, we use the resistance an opponent provides when gripping our wrist to develop the correct body structure and how to use it. Mastery of practical techniques comes after that.

01/18/2026

I am sharing a recent post from Master Eungang Choi, who wrote about his visit to our dojang. I'd like to thank him for his encouraging words. We will strive to train even harder.

지금 이 글을 쓰며, 미국에서 보았던 그날의 장면이 다시 또렷이 떠오른다. 나는 이번 미국 워싱턴주 타코...

01/05/2026

We were honored to welcome Master Eungang Choi for the last 2 weeks of December. Master Choi is a senior master and whose skill is one of the highest in what we consider “hapki(aiki)” martial arts. He had trained under Kim Yunsang Dojunim for more than 25 years and one of two who received the highest dan from Dojunim.

It was a great opportunity to learn and train with him during his visit.

12/27/2025

Training hard? Or hardly training?
Definitely TRAINING HARD! Finishing out the year strong.
Happy Holidays!

09/14/2025

It feels like 2025 has just started and yet, here we are falling into September. It’s already been 5 months since the last post. The summer was not wasted, however. Though our words may fall short, our physical training never does and everyone's skills undoubtedly keep improving.

04/27/2025

Learning Has No End Part 2
https://traditional-hapkiyusul.com/learning-has-no-end-part-1

“As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it.” -Albert Einstein

There are those who continue the journey of learning even in their 60’s, like my last post. There are also many who decide to stop learning. Or they will learn a bit and delude themselves into thinking they have already realized greatness. My master Kim Yunsang Dojunim believed that if anyone said they had already mastered Hapkiyusul, then they actually knew nothing at all. Even after 50 years of training, Dojunim always learned something new each and every day.

Me too. Everyday it’s the same practice repeated over and over again. Yet, when I train and contemplate, new ways of moving and thinking open up to me. The more I train, the more I discover.
Is there an end to learning? I guess each individual decides when that end is. But since we have the privilege of being human, shouldn’t we strive to the end of our lives to gain deeper wisdom?

03/24/2025

Learning Has No End (part 1)
https://traditional-hapkiyusul.com/learning-has-no-end-part-1

At the end of last year, two students, both aged 66, started classes at roughly the same time. One had previous Aikido experience, so did not have much difficulty adjusting. The other student was overcoming an illness and moving itself was not so easy. Despite this, though his class was only once a week, he made sure to practice everyday. Now, he is unrecognizable in his agility and physical understanding compared to when he first started.

While physical recovery (regeneration) and becoming healthier in general is not the main goal, it is a definite side effect, regardless of age, when we practice Hapkiyusul. Stiff becomes flexible, delicate and shaky turns into strength and stability. Through this practice, our skin and bone density gets higher and our joints and ligaments become stronger and more resilient.

It’s not just the physical aspect, however. Personalities can change. A timid one can find courage and confidence and a forceful one can become gentler.

While physical recovery (regeneration) and becoming healthier in general is not the main goal, it is a definite side effect, regardless of age, when we practice Hapkiyusul. It’s not just the physical aspect, however. Personalities can change. A timid one can find courage and confidence and a forc

02/06/2025

During our Family and Friends event, Master Han gave a mini seminar of the progression of techniques from twisting to throwing, then to launching techniques. This order is how we develop our body, spirit, and energy in Hapkiyusul (Aikijujutsu).

02/03/2025

We had our annual Family and Friends event this last weekend! Here are a few moments from the day :)

01/13/2025

Is Hapkido a Hybrid Martial Art?
https://traditional-hapkiyusul.com/is-hapkido-hybrid?

On Facebook, if you type “Hapkido” in Korean, the automatic translator will translate it to “Fusion Art” in English. It’s an absurd translation. At the same time, it cannot unfortunately be called incorrect because so many Hapkido dojangs themselves introduce Hapkido as a ‘hybrid martial art.’

In fact, these ‘hybrid martial art’ dojangs include in their curriculum mixtures of Judo and Jujutsu, kicks that are reminiscent of Taekwondo and Kickboxing, Bruce Lee style nunchucks, and even western Boxing punches. Choi Yongsul’s teachings, which follow a long lineage with a very unique and systematic curriculum are nowhere to be found in any of these dojangs.

Dojangs that use “Hapkido” in their name are doing this. So, when a dojang’s sign bears the title “’s Martial Arts” with “Taekwondo, Hapkido, MMA, Kendo” below it, the quality (or lack thereof, rather) of Hapkido is obvious.

If you truly want to learn Judo, wouldn’t you want to go to a Judo dojo instructed by experts in Judo? If you wanted to know how to really use your fist, wouldn’t you want to go to a professional boxing gym?

A while ago, I saw a documentary on Amazon called "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" about a master chef who had dedicated his life to sushi and only sushi for the last 60+ years. Some might ask what the difference between Jiro’s sushi and the sushi at the Asian buffet was. Sushi is afterall, sushi. However, the difference in the diner’s experience between the two is sure to be as vast as the ocean itself.
If sushi is like this, what about martial arts, an art that deals with the study of life and death?

My master, Kim Yunsang, met Choi Yongsul when he was 40 and trained in Hapkiyusul (the original form of Hapkido) until he passed away at the age of 88. It’s because of his dedication that at the age of 60, he could realize the highest level of ‘hapki’. Kim Yunsang’s master, Choi Yongsul started his practice at a very young age under Takeda Sokaku, and he too dedicated his entire life to Hapkiyusul (also known as Aikijujutsu).

In order to become a true master of any martial art, there is no time to look at, let alone train in other forms. If you do, none of the forms amount to anything. If someone who wants to become a master sushi chef starts selling steak and Chinese food, the chef will never be called a ‘master’ and the restaurant will begin to be called a buffet.

In fact, these ‘hybrid martial art’ dojangs include in their curriculum mixtures of Judo and Jujutsu, kicks that are reminiscent of Taekwondo and Kickboxing, Bruce Lee style nunchucks, and even western Boxing punches. Choi Yongsul’s teachings of Hapkido (Hapkiyusul), which follow a long lineag...

12/26/2024

Happy Holidays!!
We are open today :)

11/12/2024

Happy Veterans Day!

We are open today :)