​At the 40th International USKMAF Seminar, Dr. He-Young Kimm’s session about rhythm in martial arts was one of the most fascinating.  He theorized that every country has its own rhythm, which is reflected in their music, dance and even martial arts based on their natural body movements.  Different countries may have the same basic technique, but each country will execute those movements based on their natural body movements.  According to his research, Korean arts use a three beat rhythm and on every third bar, a fourth beat is added so you can catch your breath.  (A bar, in this case, represents each set of three beats.)

You can see this three beat rhythm reflected in Hapkido’s techniques.  Each technique starts with a balance break in which you initiate a motion in a particular direction to take the opponent off balance.  When a person is taken off balance, they naturally want to recover their balance.  When you pull, an opponent naturally wants to pull back.  A Hapkido technique takes advantage of this human defense mechanism by going with the opponent’s reaction.  Finally, the technique is applied.  So simply put, the three beats in a Hapkido technique are action, reaction, and execution.  Just like in Korean music, a fourth beat is sometimes added – as when using combination or finishing techniques.  This theory can be seen in other sorts of Hapkido techniques, as well, including kicking, punching, joint-locking and throwing.

​Since Korean Hapkido and Japanese Aikido are both largely derived from Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu, they provide an excellent martial arts comparison for  their respective rhythms.  Since the two styles have a similar ancestry, at a glance, the techniques look the same, especially to someone who isn’t experienced in martial arts.  But, if you watch closely, you can see that Aikido uses a two beat rhythm rather than the three beat rhythm Hapkido uses.  Take a look at the videos below.  They both execute the same fundamental arm bar technique, but their basic rhythm is certainly different.

​This differing rhythm between Japanese martial arts and Korean can also be illustrated in the difference between Japanese Judo and Korean Ssireum.  Again, at a glance, the styles look very similar.   In Judo, you apply downward pressure and then throw.  In Ssireum, on the other hand, you first lift up, then position yourself for the throw and finally apply downward pressure.  See if you can tell the difference between the two beat rhythm of Judo and the three beat rhythm of Ssireum in the below videos.

​When first trying to incorporate the proper rhythm into a new technique, start with a slow tempo.  As you become more proficient, gradually speed up the tempo such that all three beats occur in the time it would normally take for one.  Even though the tempo increases, the rhythm stays the same.

Taking advantage of the opponent’s strength by using their momentum or their reaction to your motion is a fundamental principle of Hapkido, but without the proper timing and rhythm, you cannot effectively capture his force to redirect it.  If you only use your power and your opponent is stronger than you, then it is generally difficult to execute your techniques.  When you use the proper rhythm, however, it becomes easy to use your power regardless of the opponent’s resistance.