| Etymologically speaking, one might think that Hapkido | | | | |
| and Aikido are the same thing, but portrayed in a | | | | Also, unlike Aikido, Hapkido doesn’t abhor joint |
| different language. Hapki-do is the Korean, and Aiki-do | | | | dislocation and bone breaking in its softer techniques. |
| is the Japanese, way of saying “Way of Joining | | | | Granted, you probably don’t want to do these |
| Spirit.” They even share the same ancestor fighting | | | | things in a tournament setting, as they will get you |
| style in Jiu Jitsu. However, they are very distinct styles | | | | disqualified. However, when you’re attacked on the |
| of fighting. | | | | street, you can bet that joint dislocation and bone |
| | | | | breaking are a means of survival. |
| The first essential difference between Hapkido and | | | | |
| Aikido is that the first is a more aggressive form. With | | | | In the end, Hapkido is a superior form of fighting than |
| Aikido, there is no such thing as being the first attacker, | | | | Aikido on the practical level. While the Aikido stylist is |
| whereas Hapkido allows for it. This gives an | | | | still throwing his assailants around, the Hapkido fighter |
| advantage to the Korean art in that you can actually | | | | goes on with the rest of his evening. |
| get the jump on your attacker, whereas with Aikido, | | | | |
| you’re always on the defensive. | | | | The only problem with Hapkido as a fighting style is |
| | | | | that you have to practice, practice, practice to become |
| Hapkido is, like Aikido, a “soft form” fighting style, | | | | effective with it. The unfortunate reality is that while |
| in that you typically use your attacker’s momentum | | | | you’re learning how to be effective with Hapkido, |
| against him rather than meeting force with force. Unlike | | | | you could get mugged and what you’ve learned so |
| its colleague, it tends to incorporate striking techniques, | | | | far isn’t going to help you. Having the best parts |
| meeting force with force with punches and kicks as | | | | available from the beginning would be incredibly helpful |
| well as joint locks, choke holds and throwing | | | | in that case. |
| techniques. | | | | |