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THE 3 PRINCIPLES OF HAPKIDO
Yu - Full penetration into the opponent's defense in a flexible and adaptable way. Water symbolizes many things in Korea. One of them is adaptability. Water never fights any obstacle it encounters. If she cannot win the contact, there is no conflict. It never loses shape and at the same time has no definite shape. Man must learn to adapt in the same way if he is to survive the discords faced throughout his life. As the popular saying rightly puts it: "soft water in stone lasts so long it hits until it pierces". The non-resistance of water makes it extremely powerful, capable of adapting to any circumstance. If placed in a container, it takes its shape; if placed in the hands, ditto. Try to hold it and it will flow through your fingers. The Hapkido practitioner must develop the virtue of adaptability and fluidity in all the characteristics of his life.
Won - Circle Centripetal force, centrifugal rotation force are used for efficient self-defense techniques. Circular moves allow you to use your opponent's strength against him. They also allow offensive and defensive techniques to be performed simultaneously. The stronger the attacker's strength, the stronger the defense or counterattack strength. The circle symbolizes the universe and its unlimited supply. In Hapkido the circle represents the understanding of art, which includes between linear, offending, arched circular and defensive. It also reminds us that there can be no limits to our martial arts practice. Only through hard training and patience can you go forward.
wha - Non-resistance, feeling and absorbing. Do not oppose the opponent's strength, but transform it. In HAPKIDO training there must be a simultaneous combination of mind, body and spirit. Harmony is the crucial element of this training. Acquiring harmony with oneself it is possible to harmonize with the opponent. the crucial moment is in breathing, Harmonizing with the situation is the next step. The final task is to match the self-developed harmony to the opponent and his technique. Harmony: Harmonizing with the environment, with the opponent, and especially with oneself is the fundamental objective of the Hapkido practitioner. The mastery of emotions, discipline in the face of obstacles and uniting ideas in difficult times are principles that the practitioner should seek to achieve. Or we can only say it has to be one with the universe.
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