Han Hapkido in NYC

Hapkido is a powerful and innovative Korean martial art. Combining effective indigenous Korean kicking and hand techniques, with the throwing and grappling skills of Daito-Ryu Aiki Jujitsu, Hapkido was an intergrated, or mixed, martial art before the term was in vogue. At Do Shim Mudo we teach the art as it was passed down to us by Grand Master Bong Soo Han.

Literally translated, the word Hap means coordination or harmony, Ki denotes the essence of power, and Do means the art or the Way. Hapkido incorporates powerful and precise kicking techniques; fluid and highly effective throwing techniques; and decisive and sharp hand techniques. This concise and practical martial art is the result of a 1300-year pursuit of the Way.

The philosophy of Hapkido stems from three basic principles: The first is non-resistance: yield to your opponent by meeting force with minimum force to deflect and not clash with your opponent's power. The second is circular motion: the use of circular, fluid, flowing movements are emphasized rather than linear movements. The third is the water principle: total penetration of an aggressor's defenses through continual attack. Instead of opposing force by force, a Hapkidoist completes his opponent's movement by "accepting his flow of energy as he aims it," and defeats him by "borrowing his own force."

A good Hapkido practitioner is the complement and not the opposition to the opponent's strength. Utilizing the opponent's force, the Hapkido practitioner will turn it against him in order to subdue the opponent with only as much force as is necessary.

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Grand Master Bong Soo Han

Grand Master Bong Soo Han was the world's foremost practitioner of Hapkido and he is referred to as the Father of Hapkido in the Western World. As one of the original senior students of the Founder of Hapkido, Yong Sul Choi, he led a dedicated effort in the development of Hapkido as it is known today. He taught thousands of loyal students throughout his life with many becoming masters themselves. Other masters across all styles have sought out his wisdom and teachings. Grand Master Han studied and refined this powerful Korean martial art for more than 60 years. Up to the time of his death, he held the rank of 9th Dan Black Belt. He founded and presided over the International Hapkido Federation.

Grand Master Han is best known, however, for his indefatigable dedication to the teaching of Hapkido, sharing with thousands the truth and nature of martial arts, and greatly impacting those who commit to embark on this journey of self-development. For 37 years, he operated his martial arts school and IHF Headquarters in Santa Monica, California. Prior to his death on January 8, 2007, Grand Master Han toured the world lecturing on and demonstrating the Art of Coordinated Power in an effort to expand the IHF to include qualified and committed member schools.
To read more about Grand Master Han, please click here.

Master Daniel Cruz

Master Danny Cruz began his training in the art of Hapkido under the tutelage of Grand Master Han over 32 years ago. As an active member of the International Hapkido Federation since l975, he has participated in the development of the IHF training both students and Instructors. Over the years, he has led numerous FBI law enforcement training sessions, and Hapkido seminars throughout the world with Grand Master Han. Master Cruz has appeared in several television and movie projects and also participated in the development of Grand Master Han's Hapkido martial arts instructional videotape series. Master Cruz has actively officiated and competed in tournaments for over 20 years, winning numerous major U.S. Regional State Championship and National Grand Championship Karate tournaments during the bare knuckle "blood and guts" era.