At Street Smart Martial Arts LLC we teach a style of Korean Karate called Noble Way (고귀한길), which is pronounced “Gogwihan gil.” It is a martial art that has its roots in Hapkido with elements of Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo.
Important concepts that our students learn include Ki, Connection, Balance, and Extension.
Ki: Energy, life force, animating principle, and spirit. Ki is the central concept around which our curriculum is built. While practicing techniques, students simultaneously develop an awareness of and openness to the universal energy that underlies all of creation. As students progress to advanced techniques, the emphasis shifts away from the purely mechanical orientation of the beginner, and toward an awareness of Ki flowing through the body. Ultimately, the advanced practitioner allows his awareness of Ki to guide his movement. A master does not appear to be doing much when attacked; instead, the master is content to allow his assailant to accomplish all of the doing, putting the attacker at odds with himself.
Connection: Students will learn the importance of being physically connected to an opponent and their movement. More important, but more difficult to apply, is the notion that an opponent's energy and the practitioner's energy are one energy. To be open to the universal nature of Ki is to allow the feeling that you are one with your opponent. When one's motions are based on this sense of connection, everything that occurs is effortless. Physical strength, size, and stamina are not required to be connected.
Balance: The sense of being balanced, grounded, based, or rooted is very important. The practitioner stands upright, with feet shoulder width apart, and hips rolled slightly to a position over the heels. In this alignment, the practitioner will feel centered, and will feel his awareness sink down into his physical center.
Extension: Extension refers to the drawing out of someone else's center. When an opponent lunges at a practitioner, or attempts to hit or kick him, the practitioner allows his opponent to become extended, or unbalanced. The practitioner accepts the force and momentum of his assailant, and uses this energy to uproot his assailant. As his opponent becomes extended, the practitioner becomes connected to his opponent. They move as one.
You are centered, extending Ki. You accept your attacker's energy, allowing him to extend, and you become connected to him. You now have taken his center and control it, enabling you to control his body in a manner appropriate to the circumstances.