Similarities

[gr455h0pp3r]

Hey im interested in hapkido and aikido, how are they similar (i mean mainly dynamics)? how are they different ? personally i tend to be more interested in aikido because of the japanese origin and early use of interesting weapons.
But Hapkido is a bit of a mystery...

[riku]

I have limited, low-rank student experience for both aikido and one style of hapkido (so don't take all following as gospel ;)). There are certain movements, and techniques, that have some level similarity. Partly that may be based on some same origin (?), partly laws of physics, and human physiology. In general, HKD seem to accept higher level of aggression in countering attacks, its technical repertoire is introduced in very widely from very beginning (lots of kicks, lots of strikes, lots of locks, lots of blocks...). The level for weapon training may vary, both compared to AKD and between schools/organisations. There may be some similarity also in attitude to weapons: HKD is said to take weapons as extension to body (and hence, weapon techs are similar to bare-hand techniques) and AKD - at least partly - formalizes weapon techniques in bare-hand training.

Hope you'll get clearer answer from persons that have better knowledge. Personally I think you might find both arts quite interesting.

With respect,
Riku Ylönen

[James O'Neill]

I figured some others with more experience would have replied to your question by now...? I'll take a stab at an answer, though keep in mind that I've got very limited experience with Aikido.

I have been practicing Hapkido for what I consider to be a modest number of years (I've been with Master T now for 9yrs). And keep in mind that I'm not looking to start any flame wars either... This isn't a value judgement as to which one is "better". I will simply list a couple of contrasts I have noted below:

Aikido has a far more peaceful outlook (indeed, there are religious overtones) and as such it is a more 'gentle' expression of the same concept (Aiki/Hapki mean the same thing). As such, there is more emphasis on projection throws, generally speaking there is less pain involved in applying techniques and far less instruction in attacking techniques such as the punches, kicks, elbow & knee strikes contained in HKD.

To the best of my knowledge, offensive (aka; attacking) joint locking is something unique to HKD too...? I have never seen such set ups in Aikido, that's for sure.

Another difference is in the training method. For example: Breakfalling is far less cooperative in HKD. Techniques are done off of very stylized, traditional attacks in Aikido whereas we learn to work similar locks off of more contemporary attacks in HKD. ...And instead of projecting the attacker away, HKD tends more towards the "take them down and break 'em down" mentality. That's not to say that AKD does not contain such techniques - I am merely refering to the emphasis.

Weapons training is also far more "contemporary" and pragmatic in Hapkido IMO. For example, rather than training with the Bokken, we train with the walking cane. We also train the knife, Dan Bong (short stick) and belt techniques in HKD. I know AKD trains with the knife too but not as an offensive weapon and I have never seen knife vs. knife techiques in AKD (though this may be due to my limited experience with that Art).

At the end of the day I think you need to check both of them out and see which one is for you. IMO it is the Teacher and not the Art that is most important anyway. :bow:

HapKI!

James O'Neill

[Michael Tomlinson]

True that James...good answer...I know youv'e heard this before...


A friend of mine was interested in taking Aikido, he went to an Aikido school and ask them about Aikido and Hapkido and told them I taught Hapkido,,the Aikido teacher told him that Aikido was more meditational and loving while Hapkido was basically a search and destroy martial art... I really don't know under what context he told my buddy Max this but when Max told me he ask if this was true and I laughed and just said yeah pretty much...sometimes I like to say that Hapkido looks like Aikido on steroids....funny and exagerated but kind of true...

Good to see you on here James...there are some good peeps in here just don't let any of them borrow any money...and NEVER take Hal to a Starbucks!!! James is a really good Hapkido player and has been with me a long time, he's exemplifies what being a black belt is all about...
Michael Tomlinson

[Paul B]

Hi and welcome to the board, James. :bow:

For Grasshopper....

If there's one thing I've learned from visiting this place it's that nothing is ever cut and dried. There are many different approaches to the martial arts and my Aikido may look like anothers Aikijujutsu or Hapkido. Whereas my Hapkido may look to some like "souped up" Aikido. The difference is in who's doing the looking. :D

The similarities are in the fact that both arts have joint locks and throws. That's about it. One might as well compare Jujutsu and Hapkido..or Chin Na and Hapkido..etc.

The best advice on "comparison shopping" I can give you is to get out to see and most importantly,feel for yourself. Go to as many Dojo and Dojang as you can to get an inside look at the Arts themselves. Words simply fail to convey the feeling that you get when practicing "live".

[American HKD]

Greetings

I like Aikido's sword work and Jo work, however I have never seen any Aikido empty hand techs that actually has any practicle self defense applications.

Sin Moo HKD is a HKD style on steriods to a large degree and more linear.

Some HKD is more cirular and closer looking to AKD but still much more effective.

Of course dont forget HKD has strikes, thows, more weapons, etc.

[James O'Neill]

Thanks for the warm reception fellas :) :bow:

[J_24]

Greetings

I like Aikido's sword work and Jo work, however I have never seen any Aikido empty hand techs that actually has any practicle self defense applications.
.

Are you quite sure about this ? your 44 and an Instructor (is this correct?)
and you have not seen effective aikido ? the ammount of aikido I have done
has taught me limited self defense but I probably would never fight a good-spirited martial artist, so therefor my aikido is effective. Thats just my first months example.
My question is how does aikido and hapkido compare when it comes to disarming Knife, Staff and Katana ? I guess one bonus is that it deals with other weapons aswell.. a downside is that you dont touch them untill later in training - correct ? Is Hapkido more practicle (im aussuming thats the general response I would get by Hapkido Players) ?
I have sofar only done some Jo kata and read a little so I wouldnt know.

[American HKD]

Are you quite sure about this ? your 44 and an Instructor (is this correct?)
and you have not seen effective aikido ? the ammount of aikido I have done
has taught me limited self defense but I probably would never fight a good-spirited martial artist, so therefor my aikido is effective. Thats just my first months example.
My question is how does aikido and hapkido compare when it comes to disarming Knife, Staff and Katana ? I guess one bonus is that it deals with other weapons aswell.. a downside is that you dont touch them untill later in training - correct ? Is Hapkido more practicle (im aussuming thats the general response I would get by Hapkido Players) ?
I have sofar only done some Jo kata and read a little so I wouldnt know.

Greetings

Everythings relative as you know, I have never seen what I call street effective Traditional Aikido, HKD on the other hand is nothing but street effective.

There are some AKD praticioners that have street modified the system so it's closer to HKD and more realistic. Maybe you train at one of those schools v.s. the artsy/fartsy version of AKD?

Overall HKD is more direct and more powerful than AKD in all aspects including weapons defense.

[ushankido]

I heard Aikido folks say HKD looks like really bad AKD. Yoshinkan Aikido is pretty powerful.

When I was in the police academy, we had an AKD TAC instructor who was awesome.

I think people should judge the practitioners ability instead of the art. I've seen some pretty poor HKD masters, as well as AKD masters.

[American HKD]

I heard Aikido folks say HKD looks like really bad AKD. Yoshinkan Aikido is pretty powerful.

When I was in the police academy, we had an AKD TAC instructor who was awesome.

I think people should judge the practitioners ability instead of the art. I've seen some pretty poor HKD masters, as well as AKD masters.


Yeah Yoshinkan is pretty decent

[servator]

Hi- what are the Hapkido kicks like ? If one trains can one become a powerful kicker with hapkido kicks? when are kicks employed? does hapkido blend with opponents whenever possible? is it a matter of choice? Is hapkido good vs multiple opponents?? whats a typical approach if you could please explain?

[Todd]

Hi- what are the Hapkido kicks like ? If one trains can one become a powerful kicker with hapkido kicks? when are kicks employed? does hapkido blend with opponents whenever possible? is it a matter of choice? Is hapkido good vs multiple opponents?? whats a typical approach if you could please explain?

The Hapkido of Founder Choi, Yong Sul has 10 kicking techniques and all but one are low kicks. I would say that these kicks are mostly short snapping kicks to disrupt an opponents mental and physical balence. You can see these kicks at the Jungki Kwans main web site, www.jungkikwan.com

There is a certain amout of harmonizing with an opponents energy and flowing with where an opponent wants to go!!! :wink2:

Hapkido is like any Mudo, there are good practioners and not so good practioners.

[Mst Duque]

The similarities in between Hapkido and Aikido are in the principles. Both arts use same principles.
The order in its application is what diferentiates both Arts.
( DINAMIC PRINCIPLES ) CIRCLE - SQUARE AND TRIANGLE. Are apply in true Hapkido technique. ( HAPKISUL )
In Aikido, I understand the same principles are applyed but the goal is different.
Even the flow of Ki or the application of the Inner power is used differently in both Arts. INNER POWER PRINCIPLES ( WATER - FLOWING - ARMONY )

Now, regarding JOOK SOOL, Master Miller is correct about the 10 original Kicks.
They are not only a tool to distract oponents mental balance, but the way they are performed is totally different from other kicking styles.

The power from Hapkido Kicking comes from the very lower Back ( Sacral Area ), and they are not mean to snap back but to continue ( pass trougout the target )
Kicking, Hitting, Falling........ In Hapkido are nothing with out proper breathing and proyection of the Ki energy at the time of execution.
Using Kihap ( YELLING IS NOT APPROPIATED WHEN EXECUTING JOOK SOOL. )
Also, there is not an especific stance to execute Hapkido Kicks. Originally all kicks are perform from a natural and relaxe stance.

Hope this helps !

Fabian Duque