haidong Gumdo :
Haidong Gumdo is an ancient Korean martial art which focuses on sword art. Many battlefield tactics and techniques are taught to students to prepare them for a balanced mental state. Haidong Gumdo translates best to East Sea Swordsmanship and Gumdo alone, actually translates to "way of the sword."
The history of this Korean martial art dates back to (371-384 AD) during the time of the Kokuryo Kingdom. The art of Haidong Gumdo relies solely on one weapon: the sword. While the teachings and times have changed, the art has remained a true art of swordsmanship.
While the art itself is ancient, the first recorded training hall was opened in 1982 to the public in Anyang in Kyungki province. Swords that were introduced were the jukdo (bamboo sword), which is used for sparring and the mokgeom (wooden sword), which is used in basic training. Those who practice Hadiong Gumdo train with basic techniques, sparring, energy building and cutting practice.
Haidong Gumdo has been compared to Japanese kendo throughout the years. While there are many similarities in the techniques and teachings of these two martial arts, there are also differences. Kendo focuses primarily on individual combat, whereas Haidong Gumdo concentrates on battlefield combat.
At the heart of Haidong Gumdo lies the idea of “Shimgum” which is the unification of the mind, body and spirit and this process occurs through the sword. Haidong Gumdo students are taught this unification system as it is essential to succeeding in battle. There is a lot of value placed on Baldo and chakgeom forms as well. Baldo refers to the drawing of the sword, while chakgeom refers to the sheathing of the sword. These practices are derived from Gicheon, another Korean martial art.
hapkido :
One of the most respected Korean Martial arts is Hapkido which is an art of self defense. While there's some controversy regarding the fighting system’s origin and founder, many of the world's high-ranking Hapkido masters originated from Korea and later these masters settled throughout the United States.
Two of the most influential masters from the early-mid 1900's that contributed to make Hapkido what it is today are: Grandmaster Choi, Yong Sul and Grandmaster Ji, Han Jae. Choi developed techniques that include 'snapping' punches and defensive techniques against sword-attacks with the Dan Bong (short stick). Sword attacks are considered quite common in Korean martial arts, as Kendo is prevalent in Korea.
In 1965, Grandmaster Ji founded the KHA (Korea Hapkido Association), which was renamed in 1980 to the Korea Hapkido Federation. Ji's Hapkido techniques were very influential. He starred in many Korean flims and even coached Bruce Lee.
On can understand the true meaning of Hapkido once the term has been translated into English. Hap means "together," referring to body and spirit, Ki defines life and energy and Do means "way of life." The art includes a wide array of weapon techniques, kicks, hits, pressure techniques, arm and leg joint locks, as well as throws and self defense stances.
A number of other Korean fighting systems have inspired Hapkido and these include jujusu and aikido which are soft martial arts as well as taekwondo which is a hard martial art. With all these combined, Hapkido has developed into a hard-soft art of self defense.
Hapkido is a very much alive martial art which teaches self defense techniques. This art is present in all parts of the world. Teachings and practices may vary slightly, but the unison of body, mind, and spirit are essential to unlocking the power of defense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=760JCpYJMVkHwa Rang Do is a Korean martial art that employs over 4,000 diverse combat techniques and over one hundred weapons. The use of each technique and weapon is taught in a logical progression. New Hwa Rang Do students, who are not familiar with martial arts, are encouraged to enter introductory Tae Soo Do, which is a beginner’s course of the art. Both martial arts were founded by Dr. Joo Bang Lee.
The literal translation of Hwa Rang Do is “flower man way.” A man must nurture strength, honor, and virtue. Only then will he bloom like a flower and this is the only way. These are the teachings instructed to each student and practitioner.
Despite the translation of the art’s name, this art was named after the Harang. The Harang were an elite group of Koreans who were educated in the finest martial arts facilities. There is a lot of controversy over who created and coined the techniques associated with Hwa Rang Do. Many practitioners say that they were instructed by the Harangs, while others claim they were taught by Dr. Joo Bang Lee’s teachings.
Nevertheless, Dr. Joo Bang Lee currently holds the Supreme Grand Master title of Hwa Rang Do. He has been residing in the United States since 1970, where he currently has schools that instruct his techniques. New students learn effective methods of ground fighting and grappling. Some of the main weapons used in an introduction to Hwa Rang Do include: The Sang Jyel Bong (nunchaku), Jang Bong (long staff), and the Gum Mu (sword).
Hwa Rang Do is also a fighting system that teaches moral principles as well and the cod of behavior associated with this system is Meng Sae. Meng Sae incorporates five rules and nine principles of philosophy. Ultimately, a practitioner uses his skills responsibly and is a humble, strong and honorable individual.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBligBmVnSwKuk sool won :
Kuk Sool Won is a Korean Martial art and means “national martial art” when translated into English. As a long-established fighting system, Kuk Sool Won is deeply rooted in the earliest martial arts used thousands of years ago. The study of Kuk Sool Won now includes many modern techniques such as weapon improvisations and defense against guns.
This martial art utilizes many different styles but continues to maintain some unique distinctions that ultimately set it apart from other conventional martial arts. There are also different techniques used by practitioners of Kuk Sool Won compared to other styles. Most of the Kuk Sool Won styles and techniques rely on fluid motions, forceful strikes, joints likes, and making use of pressure points. Each practitioner must have the ability to perform in low stances. This martial art combines both hard and soft styles of martial arts.
You Won Hwa is a significant principle of Kuk Sool Won which literally translates to “Water Circle Harmony.” You symbolizes softness, adaptability, and power while won symbolizes a personal circle where you are always active. This circle is also associated with the circular movement inherent in this martial art. Hwa finally symbolizes harmony between the body and mind. These three aspects of this principle are to be utilized during practice.
Kuk Sool Won was banned in the early 1900’s by the Japanese while they occupied Korea. If any Koreans were caught practicing martial arts, they were severely punished by the Japanese government. This forced martial arts practitioners to go into hiding. One of these practitioners and Grandmaster was Hyuk Suh who later gave Kuk Sool Won its official name in 1961.
In the 1970’s, this martial art became well known to the public and began to expand globally. Ever since then, schools were created to instruct the martial art, international tournaments have been held, and the Kuk Sool community in Korea has established a martial arts exhibition. This martial art is now instructed as a method of self defense, healing, competition, conditioning as well as recreational pleasure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6-Z2-pa-Wwi hope that i have given an idea about the korean martial arts ^ - ^
