TAEKWONDO OR HAPKIDO: WHICH MARTIAL ART IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
If you are searching for martial arts training in New York City, you may have come across many different styles and wondered: Which martial art is right for me?
Two traditional Korean martial arts that offer very different—but highly complementary—approaches are Taekwondo and Hapkido.
At International Martial Arts Center (IMAC) in the East Village of Manhattan, we teach both systems and combine their strengths into a comprehensive approach to martial arts training.
Our students study traditional ITF Taekwon-Do together with reality-based Hapkido, giving them experience in striking, kicking, movement, self-defense, joint manipulation, throws, and close-range techniques.
WHAT IS TRADITIONAL ITF TAEKWON-DO?
Taekwon-Do is famous throughout the world for its powerful and sophisticated kicking techniques, but traditional Taekwon-Do is much more than kicking.
At International Martial Arts Center, we teach traditional ITF Taekwon-Do rather than Olympic-style sport Taekwondo.
The Taekwon-Do we practice is rooted in the original system: patterns, fundamental movements, hand techniques, kicking techniques, combinations, sparring, power development, timing, distance, balance, and practical applications.
Traditional ITF Taekwon-Do develops the ability to generate power through the coordinated movement of the entire body.
Students learn not simply to perform techniques, but to understand how and why those techniques work.
Patterns are an important part of this training. They preserve combinations of movements and principles that can be studied repeatedly and at increasingly deeper levels as the martial artist develops.
This is not simply training to score points in competition.
It is the study of a martial art.
WHAT IS HAPKIDO?
Hapkido approaches combat from another direction.
Where Taekwon-Do is particularly well known for powerful striking and kicking, Hapkido provides an extensive vocabulary for close-range self-defense.
Hapkido training can include joint locks, releases from grabs, throws, takedowns, leverage, controlling techniques, striking, kicking, and methods of responding when an opponent has already made physical contact.
At IMAC, we emphasize reality-based Hapkido.
A real confrontation does not necessarily begin with two people standing several feet apart in fighting stances.
Someone may grab your wrist, clothing, arm, or body. You may find yourself at very close range, off balance, or without enough space to execute a large technique.
Hapkido teaches the martial artist to work within those situations.
Rather than depending primarily upon strength, students learn to understand movement, leverage, balance, timing, positioning, and control.
TAEKWONDO OR HAPKIDO: WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
The more useful question may be:
Why limit yourself to only one range of martial arts training?
Taekwon-Do and Hapkido complement one another exceptionally well.
Taekwon-Do develops powerful kicking and striking, speed, footwork, coordination, distance, timing, and explosive movement.
Hapkido expands the student’s abilities at closer distances through grabs, releases, joint manipulation, throws, takedowns, and controlling techniques.
One develops your ability to move and strike.
The other teaches you what to do when the distance disappears.
Together, they create a much broader martial arts education.
WHY WE TEACH BOTH AT INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS CENTER
Since 1994, International Martial Arts Center has taught martial arts in New York City with an emphasis on preserving traditional martial arts while making the training meaningful and practical for modern students.
Our approach is unusual because students do not have to choose between learning traditional Taekwon-Do and practical Hapkido.
They can study both.
We believe martial arts should continue to develop the complete individual—not simply produce competitors.
Students train their bodies, but they also develop concentration, awareness, patience, discipline, confidence, control, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
This philosophy is reflected in the motto of International Martial Arts Center:
“FROM CALMNESS THERE IS POWER, FROM SILENCE THERE IS AWARENESS.”
IS THIS TRAINING SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS?
Absolutely.
You do not need previous martial arts experience, exceptional flexibility, or outstanding physical conditioning to begin.
Many adults come to us having never practiced martial arts before.
Training develops progressively.
Flexibility improves. Coordination improves. Stamina improves. Techniques that initially feel unfamiliar gradually become natural.
One of the great advantages of traditional martial arts is that there is always another level of understanding available.
A beginner can practice a movement and learn its basic mechanics.
An advanced student can practice the same movement and discover something completely different about timing, breathing, power, balance, or application.
That is why martial arts can become a lifelong practice.
MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING IN THE EAST VILLAGE, NYC
If you are searching for Taekwondo in NYC, Hapkido in NYC, adult martial arts classes in Manhattan, self-defense training in New York City, or traditional martial arts in the East Village, International Martial Arts Center offers an opportunity to experience both systems within one training program.
We welcome beginners as well as experienced martial artists.
Come experience traditional ITF Taekwon-Do and reality-based Hapkido and discover what happens when two complementary martial arts become one complete system of training.
INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS CENTER
98 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor
East Village, New York City
212-242-5759
www.imac-nyc.com
Traditional ITF Taekwon-Do • Reality-Based Hapkido • Martial Arts & Self-Defense in NYC
International Martial Arts Center — serving New York City martial artists since 1994.