Circle Theory
Hapkido techniques utilize smooth, circular motion rather than linear movements. Circular motions allow us to redirect an attacker’s energy and motion and use their strength to our advantage in a way which allows us to use less of our own energy. By avoiding a direct confrontation with an opponent’s attack, we are better able to create opportunities for counter-attack by disrupting our opponent’s balance and working with, rather than against, the force of their attack.
Hapkido footwork also uses circular motion to not only avoid meeting an attack head-on, but also to make it more difficult for an opponent to counter-attack. Rather than being limited to moving only forward and backward, Hapkido students also move laterally around their opponent. This creates fantastic opportunities to counter-attack because it forces their opponent to stop their current motion and change directions in order to engage the Hapkido student’s new position. The time it takes to make this change of direction gives the Hapkido student ample time to counter-attack.
Muscles in the human body are designed to apply pressure or resist pressure in one direction at a time. By utilizing circular motion, an opponent’s muscles have to constantly adjust to an ever-changing direction of pressure. Since the body needs a fraction of a second to react to a change in direction, it is always just a moment behind the direction of pressure when responding to a circular motion. This makes it extremely difficult to resist Hapkido techniques.
Many of the striking techniques in Hapkido also utilize a circular motion to maximize power and balance. If you were to try to return from a striking motion along a linear path directly opposing the direction of the strike, you have to decelerate your attacking motion until it stops, and then initiate a motion in the opposite direction. This is a waste of time and energy! It is far more efficient to use a continuous circular motion.
Every man has his own circle, his own private territory. You don’t need to worry about things outside of your circle. It is a waste of energy to try to block an attack outside of your circle. However, if someone were to enter your space without warning and without your consent, you have the right to defend yourself.
The Hapkido ranking system also utilizes the circle theory. When you first begin your training and earn your White Belt, your instructor ties on your belt to symbolize the beginning of your training. The next time your instructor ties on your belt is at 1st Dan Black Belt (and at each level of black belt afterwards) to symbolize not the end of your training but rather, the beginning of the next phase of your training.
On a larger scale, there is also a circle from White Belt to 10th Dan Black Belt. Reaching 10th Dan is like a mountain climber reaching the top of a mountain. From the vantage point at the top of the mountain where his view is no longer obstructed, he can see other ways by which he could have climbed. This doesn’t mean that your training starts over from scratch after reaching 10th Dan. Instead, this represents the beginning of the same cycle of training with the advantage of already having the knowledge you acquired from the first cycle.
The process of learning martial arts also contains a cycle. When you are first introduced to a new technique or concept, you train to understand the motion. After you have a familiarity with the particular technique or concept, you then train to internalize it so it happens automatically and without conscious thought. Hapkido training is a never-ending process in which only those who persevere in training are able to attain the highest levels.
In Korean, the Circle Theory is spelled 원 or 圓, both of which are pronounced “Won.”
Hapkido footwork also uses circular motion to not only avoid meeting an attack head-on, but also to make it more difficult for an opponent to counter-attack. Rather than being limited to moving only forward and backward, Hapkido students also move laterally around their opponent. This creates fantastic opportunities to counter-attack because it forces their opponent to stop their current motion and change directions in order to engage the Hapkido student’s new position. The time it takes to make this change of direction gives the Hapkido student ample time to counter-attack.
Muscles in the human body are designed to apply pressure or resist pressure in one direction at a time. By utilizing circular motion, an opponent’s muscles have to constantly adjust to an ever-changing direction of pressure. Since the body needs a fraction of a second to react to a change in direction, it is always just a moment behind the direction of pressure when responding to a circular motion. This makes it extremely difficult to resist Hapkido techniques.
Many of the striking techniques in Hapkido also utilize a circular motion to maximize power and balance. If you were to try to return from a striking motion along a linear path directly opposing the direction of the strike, you have to decelerate your attacking motion until it stops, and then initiate a motion in the opposite direction. This is a waste of time and energy! It is far more efficient to use a continuous circular motion.
Every man has his own circle, his own private territory. You don’t need to worry about things outside of your circle. It is a waste of energy to try to block an attack outside of your circle. However, if someone were to enter your space without warning and without your consent, you have the right to defend yourself.
The Hapkido ranking system also utilizes the circle theory. When you first begin your training and earn your White Belt, your instructor ties on your belt to symbolize the beginning of your training. The next time your instructor ties on your belt is at 1st Dan Black Belt (and at each level of black belt afterwards) to symbolize not the end of your training but rather, the beginning of the next phase of your training.
On a larger scale, there is also a circle from White Belt to 10th Dan Black Belt. Reaching 10th Dan is like a mountain climber reaching the top of a mountain. From the vantage point at the top of the mountain where his view is no longer obstructed, he can see other ways by which he could have climbed. This doesn’t mean that your training starts over from scratch after reaching 10th Dan. Instead, this represents the beginning of the same cycle of training with the advantage of already having the knowledge you acquired from the first cycle.
The process of learning martial arts also contains a cycle. When you are first introduced to a new technique or concept, you train to understand the motion. After you have a familiarity with the particular technique or concept, you then train to internalize it so it happens automatically and without conscious thought. Hapkido training is a never-ending process in which only those who persevere in training are able to attain the highest levels.
In Korean, the Circle Theory is spelled 원 or 圓, both of which are pronounced “Won.”
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