Chief-Master
Mateo Lopez
6th Dan
World Han Mu Do Association
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HAN for Teens & Adults
Han Mu Do Traditional Martial Arts
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What is Han Mu Do?
HanMuDo is a comprehensive martial arts system comprised of the study of empty hand techniques, the study of weapons, the study of Ki, and the study of martial arts philosophy.
Han Mu Do was created by Dr. He-Young Kimm in 1989, after more than forty years of training and research in Korean martial art systems. A true martial arts scholar, he sought to integrate the techniques and philosophies of these styles, most founded in the 1950?s, with new and innovative techniques into a single comprehensive balanced system.
Han Mu Do is recognized and registered by the Korean government (reg. no. 534) as a traditional Korean Martial Art.
Han means Korea (nation of optimism), Mu means martial arts and Do means ?the way.? Together, Han Mu Do means as ?The way of Korean Martial Arts.?
The central tenet of Han Mu Do is balance. By this we mean that the martial art is organized so that there is balance between:
- Empty hand and weapons techniques
- Techniques powered by physical strength and Ki energy
- Training of the physical body and philosophical, mental and spiritual training
- Techniques of the left and right side of the body
- Traditional and Modern philosophy and techniques
The Han Mu Do System is divided into four major divisions. These divisions are:
- Yuh Kwon Sul?..Study of Empty Hand Techniques
- Mu Ki Sul???.Study of Weapons Techniques
- Son Do Sul???Study of Ki
- Han Chul Hak??Study of Han Philosophy
Yuh Kwon Sul ? The Study of Empty Hand Techniques
The largest division in the Han Mu Do System, Yuh Kwon Sul encompasses basic kicking and striking, sweeps and throws, Han Mu Do Ho Shin Sul (Self-Defense), Hyung (Form), and Dae Ryun (Free Sparring).
Students practicing the Han Mu Do Ho Shin Sul technique sets will find that the techniques they learn at the beginner levels are the foundation of the sets they learn as they progress through the system. This intuitive method of learning is further enhanced by the Han Mu Do Hyungs (Form). Unique in Self-Defense Martial Arts, Han Mu Do Hyungs are based upon the Ho Shin Sul technique sets. Han Mu Do Hyungs allow students to practice the technique sets without a partner in an aesthetically beautiful and graceful exercise.
Han Mu Do Dae Ryun is a Free Sparring System designed to challenge students to apply the kicking, striking, throwing, holding, and choking techniques they have practiced in an unscripted, yet safe and exciting environment.
Mu Ki Sul ? Study of Weapons Techniques
In the Han Mu Do system, students are exposed to a number of martial arts weaponry through the course of their training.
The students begin training with offensive weapons such as the pole and sword. Later, they learn to use defensive weapons such as the rope, the cane and the fan.
Son Do Sul ? Study of Ki
Son Do Sul or the Study of Ki (internal energy) is a vital component of the Han Mu Do System. During the early stages of Han Mu Do training, students learn breathing exercises that stimulate the flow of Ki through the body. Through time and practice, Han Mu Do students learn how to cultivate and accumulate Ki energy. Later in the advanced levels of Son Do Sul, Han Mu Do students learn to control the circulation of Ki through the body.
Throughout a student?s Han Mu Do Training, they are taught how to utilize Ki energy while performing Yuh Kwon Sul and Mu Ki Sul techniques.
Han Chul Hak ? Study of Han Philosophy
The Han Philosophy is what separates Han Mu Do from other combative activities such as fencing, boxing or wrestling. The Han Philosophy endows Han Mu Do practitioners with a common value for the practice and application of Han Mu Do.
Approximately Ten thousand years ago, the ancestors of the Korean people began to migrate from the Pharmil fields of Central Asia to the eastern coast of Asia. They moved towards the warmer climate and access to the sea and settled in present-day Manchuria, and Peninsula of Korea. There, the Korean people created a unique civilization based on the Han Philosophy.
The Han Philosophy is purely of Korean origin. It was nurtured and matured by the Korean people before relations with neighboring nations were established. The Han Philosophy is based on four distinct characteristics.
First, Han means head or leader. The Korean people look for leadership and guidance from the holders of high position. Examples are the King ? Head of State, the Father ? Head of Family, and the Teacher ? Head of Classroom. They are regarded as the most important persons in a society.
Second, Han means big or whole. Each person is considered a vital member of the community as a whole. Harmony within the community as a whole is very important in the pursuit of happiness for the individual as well as for the country.
Third, Han means brightness or optimism. Brightness in the Korean language implies peace, cleanness and honesty in life. To be optimistic no matter what hardships one has faced in the past.
Finally, Han means higher learning. The Korean people place great value on education and culture. They strive for excellence in learning, whether it is literature or martial arts.
These four distinct characteristics of Han Philosophy permeated into every facet of Korean society. It has been embedded in Korean culture, religion, economics, politics, and especially in the martial arts. It still plays a significant role in what constitutes the Korean identity.
Choi Chi-won, the preeminent scholar and warrior of the Silla Kingdom wrote about the philosophy of Han on the tombstone of the Nan Nang Tomb. Master Choi wrote that the introduction of Confucianism in Korea reinforced the Han values of respect to parents, teacher and King and loyalty to the country. The introduction of Taoism reinforced the philosophy of harmony with nature and with other human beings. And the introduction of Zen Buddhism reinforced love and mutual help among citizens of the society.