IITM Hapkido Club

Instructor: Dr. T M Muruganandam is a 3rd Dan in Hapkido from Black Knight Martial Arts school in Atlanta, GA, USA.
He is also an Assistant Professor in Aerospace Department, IIT Madras.
Click here to goto: our group mail-list 'Hapkido-iitm' ,
Hapkido calendar(.pdf), (.xlsx), (.htm),
Class Timings:
All rankers: Mon,Wed 530pm -730 pm, & Sat 3pm-5pm.
Higher rankers only: Fri 530pm-730 pm.

Class Venue:
Mezzanine floor, Students Activities Center (SAC), IITM. Just go up the stairs immediately after entering SAC.

Techniques per level(.xlsx) (.pdf), (.htm)

Food related tips

Introduction to Hapkido
Principles of Hapkido
Tenets of Hapkido
About Hapkido techniques

Murgi as White belt in May 2002

Nearest Demo Session:
Feb 12, 2020, 530pm in SAC mezz. floor
Aug 12, 2020, 530pm in SAC mezz. floor

Upcoming Belt tests for lower rankers:
Oct 29, 2022
Jan 28, 2023
Upcoming Belt test for Middle Rankers:
Nov 26, 2022
Jul 25, 2020
Upcoming Belt test for High Rankers:
Feb 10, 2018
May 12, 2018
The next opening for new people to join our class:
Nov 07 to Nov 19, 2022
Jan 30 to Feb 11, 2023


Introduction
Hapkido is a soft martial art which is focused on using an opponent's energy against them. The art was formed from Aiki-jujitsu, and was the first to include circular kicks. In Hapkido, we use an opponent's strength against them making it ideal for self-defense. But Hapkido is more than just techniques; for some of us it is a way of life, to resolve conflict or issues. Learning this art will change your outlook, fear evaporates, strength is assured, and you will feel healthier, younger, and focused.

The Meaning of the Name: (Korean translation)
'Hap' ='going along with'/ 'Coordinated'
'ki' = 'energy'
'do' = 'method'
Thus hapkido is 'Coordinated energy method'

Hapkido techniques are very precise, but also very accommodating; opponents tell the skilled martial artist how to defeat them by moving, their balance and force. We use soft techniques, kicks, strikes, movement and the ground in an effortless combination to achieve success. Most martial arts stress power, but Hapkido stresses relaxation. By relaxing, a practitioner can feel their opponent's strength and redirect it back upon them.

Learning Hapkido is easy as well. Since the techniques are simple combinations of simple techniques, students excel quickly. Most students have a realization after a short while of how much they now can accomplish, and our techniques adapt equally to men and women. Through practice comes perfection. Through sweat one becomes self-aware. We train the mind, body and spirit; strengthening through Hapkido and friendship.


The Basic Principles of the art are:
Non-resistance: When the opponent gives force in a certain direction, Hapkido-ist does not stop that force or apply a force in the opposite direction, rather he/she will just move away from that line of force that the attack becomes ineffective or probably amplify that force in such a way that the opponent loses balance.
Circular Principle: When the opponent gives linear force, Hapkido-ist will redirect the force through a circular technique, thus avoiding direct resistance of the force. This can lead to the opponent losing his/her balance and opens up numerous possibilities for the hapkido-ist to attack.
Water Principle: Water flows around an obstacle in its path (Say, like a rock in the river) and joins together around the obstacle engulfing it. Hapkido-ist will redirect the force with least resistance, then work around the opponent and finally attack him/her when he/she is not in good balance.



Tenets of Hapkido: (Rules followed by hapkido-ists)
  • Range: The distance between a weapon and the target. Range is to strike with force, but never over commit.
  • Focus: The center of activity or attention; to cause to be concentrated. Focus is to see all of the possibilities and attack exactly where you need to.
  • Timing: The selection for maximum effect of the precise moment for doing something. Timing determines whether an opponent will be there when your attack occurs.
  • Flow: The continuous transfer of energy; a smooth uninterrupted movement. Flow is to blend with your opponent and let them attack themselves.
  • Awareness: Having realization, perception and knowledge. Awareness is the strongest ally and worst enemy; without it, you cannot act.
  • Balance: Physical, mental and emotional equilibrium; Equipoise between contrasting, interacting elements. Balance is required to leverage one's strengths.
  • Attitude: A state of readiness to respond to a stimulus. Attitude starts with being virtuous, just and righteous.



    • The classes are divided into sections wherein we focus on a particular aspect/type of technique in Hapkido:
  • Basics: These techniques strengthen the student's general fitness and help improve their balance, focus, movements.
  • Locks: Joint locks/joint manipulations can be used to escape from a situation, or used to attack/control the opponent.
  • Kicks: Attacking the opponent by use of our leg as a weapon.
  • Strikes: Attacking the opponent using our hands, elbows and knees as weapons.
  • Weapons: Attacking using various weapons like Namchak, stick, short staff, short stick, long staff, knives, gun etc.
  • Grappling: Most fights end up on the ground within a few seconds and ground fighting techniques are important both in defensive and offensive situations. This section of the class trains the student in fighting while lying/sitting/squatting on the ground.
  • Falls/Rolls/Throws: In this section of the class a student is taught how to absorb the impact of falling/hitting some hard surface by employing proper technique. It can be by taking it into a static fall or into a roll where the hapkido-ist will convert the downward momentum into a rolling momentum and thus avoid direct impact to the ground. This section of class also teaches how to throw an opponent onto the ground.
  • Self-defense: In this section of the class the student faces several self defense situations in common life and are taught different techniques to escape from them. This section is the application side of all the other sections of this curriculum.