General Question

[Kris]

Hi,

I just wanted to ask some very general questions. Namely, do you that do this art find it practical?
Also whats the difference bewteen an external art and internal art?
Also what are peoples thoughts on 'Combat' Hapkido?

Cheers

 

[glad2bhere]

Dear Kris:

Hapkido arts are, if nothing else practical---- some would say to a fault.

There are no "internal" and "external" arts. This was an attempted division of Chinese arts arising out of the Ching dynasty. The Chinese, themselves, cannot adequately define what the concept is suppose to entail and everybody with a belly-button has their own take on what the designations are suppose identify.

Combat Hapkido is the creation of John Pelligrini and is great fodder for trolls since invoking his name in a Hapkido venue is almost sure to draw strong responses pro and con. Usually the only reason his name is brought up is that periodically its gets him free air time. Last I heard his organization was flagging as the curriculum lacks the depth most dedicated KMA are looking for and those that want superficial treatment of the art only hang around for a relatively short time before being drawn off to some new novelty. FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce