Hapkido 1st Form - Chun Ki Hyung Sae
1. Dan jun ho hup to the front
Raise both hands straight up while raising the right leg and settle into a right horse ride stance breathing in and lowering your body while tightening the dan jun. Execute a dan jun ho hup to the front.
2. Left inside middle block
Step forward into left front stance and execute a left middle inside block while pulling the right hand open and back to the side of the body
3. Switch to right high block
Punch out with the right fist and raise it up while crossing over the left hand into a right high block
4. Front kick and center knuckle punch
Execute a right front rising kick (touching the shin to the right forearm at the extension of the kick). Drop the right leg in front into a right one line stance and execute a right center knuckle punch – important to bring the right arm into a wide circular motion and extend into the punch
5. Knife hand block
Using the right elbow as a fulcrum, rotate the right knife hand into a right knife hand block
6. Left knife arm joint lock
Rotate the right hand and simulate grabbing the opponent’s wrist with the right hand. Pull the right hand in closely to your chest while stepping into a left horse rise stance and execute a left knife arm. Key point is to pull in the right hand close to your chest and fully open the left “live hand”
7. Low & high block
Step into a left front stance and execute a left low block and right high block
8. Side kick and right knife hand strike with ki hap
Keeping the right high block up, execute a right side kick, ki hap, and land into a right horse ride stance and execute a right knife hand strike keeping the arm parallel to the ground at shoulder level, left hand is pulled to the side of the body
9. Left backfist in a back stance
Turn the head to the left and pull the right hand to the side of the body, execute a left backfist while stepping into a left back stance
10. Right inside kick and elbow strike
Open the left hand and execute a right inside kick slapping the left palm with the inside edge of the right foot and land into a right horse ride stance and right elbow strike hitting the left palm
11. High & low block, right inside low scoop kick and palm heel strike
Step into a right front stance and execute a left low block, right high block. Execute a left inside low scoop kick continuing into a left one line stance with a left palm heel strike. The right hand is pulled open tightly to the side of the body
12. Forearm strike
Step into a right one line stance and execute a right forearm strike
13. Knee lift kick and ki hap
Step in with the left foot while crossing the arms in front of the chest and into a left front stance executing a double knife hand block to the front. Execute a right knee lift kick while pulling down with both hands and pivot around 180 degrees clockwise into a right double knife hand back stance
Gu man – Stop
Pull in with the left foot into standing position and bring the hands back in front of the face
Shi ah – Rest
Hapkido Forms
Very nicely said. Forms are an extension of the one on one on the mat training, and will never substitute that. However, as you've experienced, the forms can absolutely enhance one's techniques in a variety of areas that you point out. Balance, focus, and perfection of techniques within the forms round out Hapkido training. Keep on training. A chain is strong as its weakest link. I train for nothing than perfection on each and every technique, something we must always strive for. It may not be today, but you keep going, striving for perfection, and that in itself, is the beauty in the journey of studying a lifelong pursuit.
What you experience when "meditating", is pure focus, the ability to be aware of all that is around you but simultaneously focus on the moment. When I tested for 3rd dan, I was asked to perform everything, from white belt to 3rd dan, everything... I had it video taped and I still remember the feeling of being intensely focused on technique, the only thing on my mind, aware of everything around me, but able to block out anything unnecessary. Meditation, trance, different words come to mind, but it's this type of focus and discipline that can be used in our everyday lives, at work, studying. To be able to call it up on command is a great asset in all aspects of life.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Hapkido 1st Form
Thank you for the detailed explanation on the five Hapkido forms (listed above). I appreciate being able to see the videos to follow along with your written description.
I can clearly see how the forms coupled with 'live training with a partner' will develop one into a stronger martial artist.
Hapkido forms have been a part of my training since my white belt days. I am still a baby when it comes to Hapkido (less than a year), so it is hard for me to conceive training without it.
Through forms I am learning a lot:
I am learning how to control my body better (specifically my center of gravity).
I'm not sure if you are supposed to do this (remember I am still a Hapkido baby)...but I meditate (block out my surroundings and pull energy from within).
With all of the falling, twisting...and pivoting...I think I am becoming more flexible.
I am discovering how powerful the motions are & I replay this in my mind over and over and over (which aids me when I am grappling with a live partner).
Last, but not least, the forms are like dancing (in a sense) for me. A person executing the forms properly moves with grace and ease. This same smoothness becomes necessary when moving quickly out of the line of possible hits. This same smoothness becomes necessary when sparring. This same smoothness becomes necessary when board breaking.
So...forms in my experience can be very helpful. I am glad that I was introduced to it early on. :-)