For Potential Students

To potential students:

My classes are not just for the gifted athlete - the person who can jump six feet in the air while doing a spinning back kick. There is no bowing or calling me “sir.” I treat all students as equals. I work with any disabilities a student may have, such as a bad back or limited flexibility, and concentrate on what they can do, instead of focusing on the “can’t.” I don’t teach unrealistic sparring methods like “tag, you’re it,” or point sparring.

I don’t pretend that breaking boards in any way relates to breaking bones (other than the broken bones one can sustain from breaking boards)! I don’t stand isolated at the head of the class, barking out commands, rather, I participate fully. I demonstrate and explain each technique. I do not yell at students to discipline them. I find that rewarding students for paying attention, and doing the technique correctly is a much more effective way of teaching.

I don’t teach forms, pretending to divine their underlying mystical significance. The fluff, the sport, the quasi-military doctrine are stripped away – leaving the essence of why martial arts first evolved: a reliable system of self protection.

I teach fast, effective kicks to the lower part of the body, so it is less likely that an attacker could grab the leg and throw you to the ground. I teach quick, snapping strikes, not over-extending or trying to “go through” the target. That was developed to penetrate an attackers’ suit of armor. Last I checked no one still wears it!

My style is Hapkido. My version of this style is a combat approach. A no-nonsense, scientific approach. The main body of my art is joint locking and manipulation. Simply put, moving a joint of the body in the opposite direction of its’ normal function. The goal of these movements is to make an opponent compliant, not to damage the joint. The intent is to be in control of an attacker, not beat someone into oblivion.

The sole purpose of self defense is to be able to remove oneself from harm, not removing someone’s head from their body. Tradition is great, however I believe as humans, we are able to adapt, and for good reason. If something does not work, dismiss or change it to make it apply to modern times. It’s foolish to use something that does not work in today’s environment just for the sake of “tradition.” All that aside, if it is important for an individual to hold to these ancient practices; there are many arts which fit this mold. If you are serious about protecting yourself and your family, then Combat Hapkido is what you should consider.

Sincerely,

Arthur Blair
Green Hill Combat Hapkido