Study on the Utility of KOREAN HAPKIDO as a Modern Physical and Spiritual Training

Abstract

This study investigated as to whether Korean people living in modern society are effective in playing a role of bringing the healing of mind and body through Hapkido training which is one of the martial arts that started on the basis of oriental thought while living with social problems. Oriental thought is able to remind Koreans, who are suffering from social problems like modern times, that human beings are no longer separated from the world, are not helpless and worthless, but that they are universal beings possessing eternal time and infinite space within themselves. If we accept a new human perspective through Hapkido training, we will realize that our existence’s value is quite meaningful and would be able to pursue true peace and happiness. It emphasizes the fact that the relationship between body and mind is not dichotomous but rather closely related to each other in order to be fully human in oriental thought, so that the mind and body must be performed at the same time. It is ki that mediates the relationship between mind and body, that is, the body and mind are connected to each other through the medium of ki. Hapkido has a spirit of martial art that seeks to unite humanity and the universe by recognizing the change of the universe as the flow of ki and realizing its principle. Therefore, Korean Hapkido, which sees the flow of ki as the basis of performance, is a martial art based on the fundamental spirit of oriental martial arts. Thus, ki in Korean Hapkido is based on the inner strength of the human being and strengthens through breathing training and thus coincides with the movement. It is not only the basic maintenance tool of life but also the main spirit and sustaining source of Hapkido in order to reinforce the internal strength of the human mind through breathing training and to harmonize the movement of the body. Pursuing in Hapkido is to have spirit and body gain enlightenment through ki. Thus, the training principle and technical system of Hapkido is to realize the body by sustaining ki. Therefore, naturalness is greatly emphasized when one practices Hapkido techniques, and it is a process of naturally communicating the technique and learning the importance of human being without competing with each other and instead, exchange techniques with each other. Accordingly, when practicing Hapkido as a physical and spiritual training, it can be said that the utility is great as a physical and spiritual training method if the technique is focused on ki central to the breathing technique, and if the technique is performed naturally while harmonizing with the opponent.