I think some of the basic difference is that Bruce could translate his theory into action. There was little doubt that Bruce could show you what he was talking about.
I don't know if GM P could the flashy kicks that Bruce Lee could do, but I've been his Uke....so I'm not sure how you can say that what he does doesn't translate into action. His techniques are just as effective as the Traditional HKD instructor (4th Dan) that I used to study with. He can show you exactly what he's talking about and does. He is also very good at translating theory into instruction. He is one of the few that I've encountered who can look at what you're doing and tell you exactly how to modify to make it work.
GM P - attached himself to Hapkido's wagon to sell to a TKD crowd. It was originally to designed as an add on to TKD, something that TKD had been doing for years anyway to fill out their self defense. Even Gen Choi included HKD (represented HKD as TKD) in his book. So there was a standing tradition of TKD leaching of HKD. GM P just changed the marketing so as to have the cash flow to himself.
and? It is a separate way of teaching. A separate style and system of instruction. If you ask me, as another instructor and student, I would rather have some kind of backing behind the "add on" that I'm giving my students than what many TKD instructors have. I have encountered some TKD instructors who integrate HKD, tell their students that it is HKD, but have little to no HKD experience. So what is wrong with that same instructor telling his students that he uses the CHKD system?
Secondly I don't see "How much experience he had in it is irrelevant. " especially if he claims to have streamlined HKD. If it truly a new thing why call it Hapkido anything. He draws a lot of ire from the HKD community also because his HKD basics are terrible. He doesn't have a firm grasp of the art that he has "modernized" - He is imo, the embodiment what is wrong with the MAs. Selling a fantasy.
It works, which is what I care about. Personally, I couldn't care less what it is called. Should it be called "Hapkido" anything? That's a matter of opinion. I think you may have missed the point of what he teaches. Of course, I don't have a very strong background in Traditional Hapkido OR Combat Hapkido, but have attended several seminars from both styles. If what he does works, it can be taught, and people like it....why does his background matter? Every art is descended from another style through repackaging. Many of the "founders" of other styles worked from scratch or from a loose knowledge of other styles based on interpretation and experimentation.
What bothers me most about these discussions is that none of the discussion is based on the style of CHKD itself. It is based on the man who created it and more often than not, the denigration of the man. I have yet to have EVER seen a discussion based on any failings of the art itself. Some very vague assertations of "I've seen it and his basics are horrible." But that says nothing....how many great fighters don't look anything like their parent style? Does it matter? Of course not. Does it matter that what they do doesn't look like the basics that you practice back and forth on the floor? No. It works, that is what matters....and THAT was the focus of what Bruce Lee was trying to preach. Do what works and don't be tied down by tradition. My opinion is that people are focusing on the wrong basics. He understands the concepts of Joint Manipulation and Pain compliance and how to use force multipliers against vulnerable targets on the body. Isn't that the REAL basics of Hapkido? Please demonstrate his lack of understanding of those basics or how those basics are terrible. I'm talking about the basics that force an Uke to comply based on manipulation of their body.
So again, I think that the comparison was solid. Both of them stated that the most effective way of practicing Martial Arts is to do what works and eliminate what doesn't. That is the focus of both of their styles, is it not?
Bottom line is, I've been there and experienced it and it works....Plus, he's a really nice guy.
