Hapki!

Marie Claire Bonanno
Feb 23, 2017
2 min read

I am aware that my posts have become a little bit infrequent. I apologise for this, but time, or rather the lack of it, is my greatest enemy. I have however been attending lessons (and coming to the realisation that my body is going to be perpetually sore as I use muscles I never knew existed).

Since my last post I have attended two more sessions of Hapkimudo and also a joint seminar comprising of Taekwondo, Hapkido, Judo, Aikijujitsu and Nihon Taijitsu…no wonder my body aches so much!

We practiced several self-defense techniques against a variety of attacks such as punches, grabs and knife strikes. The Hapkimudo way of self-defense involves a very practical and direct approach. This means no extra flair is added to the technique but rather it is made very direct and applicable to the situation.

I throughly enjoyed learning new techniques such as hip and shoulder throws as well as a take-down technique using the scissors kick, which I had never practiced before as I always thought it looked rather complicated. However, under the tutelage of Master Vella, who was present for one of the sessions, I think I’ve gotten the hang of it.

One thing I have been noticing is that although all styles are somewhat different when it comes to the execution and application of the technique, the end result is mostly the same and there is great similarity between certain techniques used in self-defense.

Though I generally tend to stay away from styles which involve grapples and throws… primarily because I don’t enjoy the feeling of being thrown onto the floor, I must say that I have so far been enjoying myself and broadening my knowledge of techniques for self-defense which I can apply both in a street fight should the need ever arise (hopefully it never will), and even when I sit for gradings.

Looking forward to my next lesson of Hapkimudo, which will sadly be my last.

Till then…Hapki!