This ground-breaking work is the first to comprehensively document the traditions, philosophy, and techniques of one of the world's most varied, exciting, and practical martial arts—Hapkido. More than 9,000 photographs introduce over 2,000 martial techniques, including strikes, kicks, blocks, avoiding movements, holds, joint locks, chokes, throws, falls, tumbling, ground fighting, and weapons. Numerous closeups show precise grips, leverage methods, pressure points, hitting surfaces, and direction of force. In addition to self-defense techniques, chapters are included on East Asian philosophy, martial arts history, anatomy, meditation, healing, and pressure point fighting, as well as in-depth, previously unpublished interviews with the world's preeminent Hapkido Grandmasters and renowned Grandmasters of related martial arts. Because of similarities between Hapkido and many other martial arts, including Taekwondo, Jujutsu, Aikido, Judo, and Tai Chi Chuan, this book is a useful reference for practitioners of all martial arts styles, from novices to masters. This unique work of exceptional quality is the definitive text on Hapkido, and destined to become a classic of martial arts literature.

Techniques to 5th degree

Hapkido, "The Way of Coordination and Internal Power," is one of the three major Korean martial arts. Founded in 1963 by Master Choi Young-Sul, it is a complete system of self-defense, encompassing striking, kicking, and grappling techniques. Conceptually, Hapkido techniques more closely parallel those of Aikido than Taekwondo. In fact, as the author describes, there is a parental link between the arts. In Hapkido: Korean Art of Self-Defense, Scott Shaw presents a precise description of the techniques, concepts, and applications of this Korean martial art of self-defense. Profusely illustrated with 220 clear photographs, this instructional hapkido book describes and depicts self-defense techniques against a variety of punches, holds, and kicks. Hapkido has been utilized by military and law enforcement agencies worldwide, but until now little has been written on it. This hapkido guide is one of the few in English to present the essential techniques of this fascinating Korean martial art. Chapters include: The History and Development of Korean Martial Arts The Evolution of Hapkido Danjon: The Center of Ki Hapkido Fundamentals Hapkido Self-Defense Techniques

Descibes the origins, history, concepts, and techniques of the Hapkido form of martial arts, including coverage of effective defenses against strikes, grabs, kicks, chokes, knives, and guns.

Here is the first complete book in English on hapkido, the kick-oriented Korean martial art. Included are warm-up exercises, basic fighting position, punching and striking, blocks and kicks, and hapkido defenses, with more than 500 dynamic photographs.

Hapkido, the "Way of Coordinated Power", is a total martial art encompassing the striking aspects of Karate, the throwing aspects of Judo, and the locking & breaking aspects of Aikido. Because the art is so multi-faceted, there has never been a definitive text published prior to this book. Now, internationally respected self-defense expert and Hapkido Black Belt, Robert K. Spear, brings you his first work on the subject. The author covers Hapkido's famous kicks, punches, defenses, locks & throws and more. This is an outstanding introduction to this art and a great resource text!