Adults

Hapkido - Korean Art of Self Defense

Ages 14 and Up

The Adult program provides a great physical workout which helps with stress relief and overall fitness.  The striking, kicking, throwing, and joint locking techniques help coordination, focus, and mental agility.  The principles of Balance, Motion, Distance, and Angle are used in all self defense techniques so that you can use your attackers force and energy against them.  This part of martial arts enables people of all sizes to have success in defense situations.

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Haidong Gumdo - Korean Art of Sword Training

Ages 12 and Up - or previous martial arts training

The complete art of Korean sword training includes the practice of basic techniques, forms, step sparring, sparring, energy building exercises, and paper, fruit, bamboo, and straw cutting practice. In this way, Haidong Gumdo is a significantly different style from Kumdo, emphasizing the nature of Korean combatives over competition as in sport applications.

Basic practice is done with a wooden sword, while sparring practice which formerly used a bamboo sword now uses a plastic/rubber sword in competitions per the Haidong Gumdo Federation regulations. Students do not use real swords until they earn their Black Belt.

The classes start with cutting drills for warm up and strengthening. Then progress into forms or partner work which teaches proper control, coordination, and skill. The class usually closes with meditation followed by a focus drill such as paper cutting or candle extinguishing. Respect and self discipline are extremely important in this class.

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