Martial Arts

Kalaripayattu: An Ancient Martial Art From India

December 11, 2011 By Editor Leave a Comment

Adult martial artists young and old (not to mention the general public) find nothing more intriguing than the announcement of a new, hitherto unheard of martial art. It’s part and parcel of the secret-martial-art-from-the-ancient-Orient mystique that has been so alluring for young and old alike.

Now there comes word of a new martial art from India. It’s called Kalaripayattu and it’s featured in an article by Smriti Rao in The Wall Street Journal’s blog entitled “Can an Ancient Martial Arts Form Rival Yoga?”

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Three Self-Defense Techniques You Must Never Forget If You Want To Prevail Against Real-time Violence

January 19, 2011 By Editor Leave a Comment

Self defense classes that are competently taught teach self-defense techniques that work.

But self-defense techniques are useless unless you do at least one of these three things the moment a physical confrontation begins. Fail to do these and defeat is just around the corner.

Why Combat Hapkido? — Some Frequently Asked Questions

December 31, 2010 By Editor Leave a Comment

Why Combat Hapkido?

Combat Hapkido (or CH for short) is a realistic, effective and straightforward method of self-defense for men and women to learn. It doesn’t take forever to learn. You don’t need to be an Olympic athlete. And it works. That’s why many law enforcement officers and top military units such as the U.S. Army’s Tenth Mountain Army Division practice it. If you want to learn how to defend yourself in the streets quickly, Combat Hapkido is for you.

Is Combat Hapkido for women as well as men?

Yes, combat hapkido techniques are perfect for women’s self defense. It does not require superior strength. It can be learned quickly. It teaches situational awareness, how to disorient and disable an attacker regardless of his (or her) size, and get home safe and sound.

At what age can I start?

Unlike many traditional martial arts programs, CH is not for children. The techniques are too dangerous in the hands of the immature and inexperienced. Therefore, instructors typically prefer to teach students 18 years of age or older.

How long will I have to study Combat Hapkido in order to be able to defend myself?

That depends upon how often you practice and the dedication you bring to the art. That said, with regular practice and commitment, you should be able to begin to be able to defend yourself within six months and perhaps as little as three. Indeed, at the Bronx Hapkido Center students begin to learn effective self-defense techniques in the first week of training.

Can anyone benefit from practicing Combat Hapkido?

Yes, CH can be learned by adults regardless of their age or gender. Nor do you need the physical prowess of a professional athlete. I know of one practitioner who is nearly 70 years old and still going strong.

What is the difference between Combat Hapkido and other schools of Hapkido?

CH is more progressive and eclectic than what often passes for traditional hapkido. To paraphrase Bruce Lee, it absorbs what is useful in other martial arts and discards the rest. For example, the traditional stances and postures as well as the acrobatic kicks of traditional hapkido have been replaced with techniques more appropriate for self defense in today’s environment.

Is Combat Hapkido recognized as a legitimate martial arts style?

World renowned hapkido grandmaster In Sun Seo bestowed Combat Hapkido (also known in Korea as Chon-tu Kwon) official status as a kwon or official style in the World Kido Federation. Chartered by the Korean government, the World Kido Federation maintains the integrity and records of all legitimate Korean martial arts. What is particularly noteworthy about recognition of CH’s recognition by the WKF is that is usually awards such status to long-established traditional martial arts schools.

Where can I find a school?

Go to the International Combat Hapkido Federation’s directory of schools to find a school near you.

If you have any further questions you’d like answered, send me an e-mail at ama@adultmartialartist.com

Filed Under: A Martial Arts Education, Combat Hapkido, Getting Started, Hapkido, Martial Arts, Women's Self Defense Tagged With: combat hapkido, Getting Started, martial arts schools, women's self defense

Combat Hapkido: The Martial Art for the Modern Warrior

December 21, 2010 By Editor Leave a Comment

Combat Hapkido: The Martial Art for the Modern Warrior by John Pellegrini, founder and grandmaster of the International Combat Hapkido Federation, offers adult martial artists a clear and concise introduction to one of the world’s fastest-growing martial arts.

Martial arts books too often are nothing more than mere advertisements for their author. Full of bravado and hyperbole, such books are short on substance.

Combat Hapkido, however, is a rare exception. It offers substance and style both in its content and format. It is a model of what a martial arts book worthy of it name ought to be. The writing is informative, thoughtful and ultimately persuasive. The color photography is crisp and intelligible. GM Pellegrini’s sincerity as well as his expertise shines on each page.

Who should read Combat Hapkido?

If you are serious about self-defense training—not the bravado and hype of some Internet wannabe self-defense experts—then you owe it to yourself to consider training in one of the most effective martial arts systems in the world. It has been taught to law enforcement officers and top military units in several continents.

If you’re afraid that you might be too old to learn a martial art, much less learn how to defend yourself and your loved ones against street crime, then welcome. You can learn Combat Hapkido at any age. I know of one capable practitioner who is almost 70 years old and still going strong!

If you feel you need to complement your present martial arts training with something more or if you feel you just want to start over with a reality-based martial art instead of kickboxing or other martial sports styles, Combat Hapkido may prove to be the next step in your quest to be a superior martial artist.

If you are looking to learn more about hapkido and, more specifically, the evolution of combat hapkido, then this book provides a succinct introduction. Of course, if you are a martial arts aficionado and can’t get enough of a good thing, then, well, you’ll love it without my having to explain why at great length.

In a later post, I’ll explain in detail why I think this is one of the best martial arts books in print and worth reading regardless of whether you are a novice or a veteran practitioner of the martial arts.

So while you’re waiting for Amazon to deliver GM John Pellegrini’s Combat Hapkido: The Martial Art for the Modern Warrior to your door, take a look at this video to see Combat Hapkido in action.