Specialties
Hapkido is a complete system teaching kicks, punches, pressure point techniques, throws, joint locks, weapons, free fighting, ki and meditation.
Many other martial arts are "hard" - they rely on physical power and are offense oriented. Hapkido is defensive art, emphasizing throws, twists and pressure point techniques.
Other martial arts emphasize tournaments, street fighting, and competitiveness. Hapkido emphasizes self-discipline and personal development.
Hapkido minimizes injuries with techniques that completely subdue the opponent.
In order to defend against attacks, Hapkido teaches corresponding offensive techniques. For instance, before teaching defense against kicks and punches, kicks and punches are taught. Before learning defenses against weapons, students must learn how to use those weapons.
Chang's Hapkido Academy's complete approach stresses the importance of mind and body. Mastering Hapkido, or simply learning to fall properly or perform a new kick, is not only about body awareness and physical technique - the first and most important step is to liberate your mind.
History
Established in 1973.
In 1973, the Korean Hapkido Association sent Master Chang to the U.S. to teach. That same year, he opened his first U.S. school in Lombard, IL, calling it "Chang's Hapkido Academy."
Meet the Business Owner: Grand Master Gedo Chang ..
Chang Gedo lived until his early twenties in a mountain monastery in Chungnam Province, learning hoshinsul (self-defence techniques) from his father a Buddhist monk. Upon leaving the monastery, Chang Gedo became one of the few men formally recognised as a master of Hapkido (1964) within Ji Han Jae's newly formed association. He then opened his school in Korea and called it Wol Ge Kwan which means The Victor's Laurel.[1] In 1973, Master Chang turned his Hapkido school in Korea over to Choi Yong Sul when the Korean Hapkido Association dispatched him to the United States of America. He has demonstrated and taught throughout the USA, finally settling in Lombard, Illinois where he opened his first U.S. School, Chang's Hapkido Academy. Chang's Hapkido Academy has schools across America and expanded to England.
He was the first to develop Hapkido techniques specifically for police personnel. His teaching abilities so impressed the Korean Government, that they crea
