Hapkido is a martial art that requires both physical and spiritual training. The physical training is called Hapkisul and the spiritual training is called Hapkibup. Hapkido is based upon three principles: hwa, ryu, and won.
Hapkido Principles
- HWA (화) Harmony or blending principle
- RYU (유) Flowing or water principle
- WON (원) Circle principle
Preserving Choi, Yong Sool’s Legacy
In 1976, Hapkido Founder, Choi, Young Sool closed his dojang, joined the Jung Ki Kwan, and devoted his energy to it for the rest of his life.
In 1965, Grand Master Lim visited Hapkido Founder, Choi Yong Sool and this was his first introduction to Hapkido. At that time he felt a mysterious charm that made him walk the way of a martial artist. At first he was taught by Master Kim Yeung Jae, Founder Choi’s student, then he was then taught by Founder, Choi, Yong Sool.
During this time with the founder, he endured strict and intense training. Founder Choi placed an emphasis on hard physical training and mental attitude.
GM Lim trained with Founder Choi for 19 years, 9 of those years being special private lessons. Knowing Hapkido’s true values and meaning during the special training time with the founder, he opened the Jung Ki Kwan on October 24, 1974 with Founder Choi’s blessings.
Grand Master Lim was promoted to 9th dan Hapkido by Choi, Yong Sool in 1983. He was the second person to receive this rank by Founder Choi.
GM Lim assisted Founder Choi as his closest disciple until 1986 when Founder Choi passed.
Dojunim Choi, Yong Sool said, “ When you are 40, you get to know the primary skills.” This reflects the difficulty of Hapkido training.
Founder Choi transmitted the core Hapkido principles to Grand Master Lim along with the original meaning of each technique.
Grand Master Lim & Founder Choi would often play the strategy board game Go.
Chung Suk Kuhapdo is a Korean sword art established in 1986 by Jung Ki Kwan Founder Lim, Hyun Soo.
Chung Suk Kuhapdo combines ancient primitive combat techniques and a modern sporting spirit. It is a dynamic and flowing sword art. Its educational process is fun and interesting. One can acquire good physical training coupled with spiritual training. One only needs your sword and no partner to practice.
In 1969 GM Lim found in a Japanese kendo book that ‘合氣(HAP KI)’ is the principle of power when two swords collide and confront each other in contrast. He then started Kendo training to gain an understanding of the sword art in order to further develop his Hapkido training. Hapkido Founder Choi, Yong Sool told GM Lim that the principles of Hapkido and the principles of using a sword are the same. “If you do it with your bare hands, it’s Hapkido, and if you do it with a sword in your hand, it’s sword art.”
GM Lim realized that kendo training alone using a bamboo sword has limitations in understanding the true essence of the sword. He began studying Japanese and Korean sword arts to further his knowledge of real sword principles.
Anyone can practice regardless of age and sex because they can practice according to their physical fitness and ability. There are many benefits to Chung Suk Kuhapdo training.
Since 1996, Grand Master Lim has traveled to Europe and the United States to teach Jung Ki Hapkido and Chung Suk Kuhapdo seminars.
