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Welcome to the hompage of the European Hwal Mo Do Federation.
The European Hwal Moo Federation coordinates the co-operation of the Hwal Moo Do schools in the european area!

Interviev with Grandmaster Moon Bueng Tae 9.Dan
about the History from Hwalmoodo

1) GM, can you present yourself in few words? (Where and when you were born, who you were…) I was born in a small village in the countryside, Hapcheon Kyeongnam, South Korea, on July 10th 1952. The year I was born was when the Korean War(1950-1953) was in full swing. I was the 3rd son of a poor farmer who had 5 sons. My family’s economic situation was terrible, so I had to help father at the farm. There was no hope.

2) What was your first step in Martial Arts?(With whom, which martial arts, when…) After Korean war, I grew up playing a game that mimics war with friends. I played a fight with friends by groups in mountains and fields. One day, when I was 11 years old, I saw village brothers and seniors practice some kinds of movements. I asked them “what is it?” They said, “Our ancestors experienced a lot of war and our country was invaded countless by enemies or foreign forces. In the usual times, they did the farming, but when a war occurred, they used the farm equipments as weapons. Repeatedly experienced these things, our ancestors developed the movements in actual life into self-defense skills. Through several generations, these techniques have been passed on without any special name.” I think that it was a kind of local tradition martial arts. They said again, “In this area where we are living, there was a fidelity or faithfulness of Silla Kingdom General Geupchan JukJuk(Battle of Daeyaseong, AD 642) and also there was a patriotic spirit or spirit of loyaty of General Gwak Jae-woo(Imjin War, AD 1592).” I saw their motions; kicking, punching, arm striking, ground fighting, throwing, taking down and grappling techniques etc. I was deeply impressed. So I decided to learn these beautiful movements with our ancestors’ spirits. To learn the martial arts of having ancestors’ patriotism was enough to provoke self-esteem. There was hope.

3) What is your martial arts background? In the early days, I learned a kind of local traditional martial arts, which was not widely known. I also learned Ssireum(씨름; Traditional Korean Wrestling), a real street fight and practiced my own martial arts using movements in the life of farming and living in mountains and fields. I studied Korean Martial Arts Book, Muyedobotongji(무예도보통지; Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts 1790). Based on this book, I practiced Sibpalgi(십팔기) or Bonjomuyesibpalban(본조무예십팔반; Eighteen Fighting Methods: Long Spear, Long Bamboo Spear, Flag Spear, Triple-tip Spear, Thorny Spear, Two-handed Saber, Short Sword, Japanese Sword, Sword Sparring Techniques, Admiral’sSword, Traditional Korean Sword, Double Swords, Moon Sword, Spear Sword, Shield, Unarmed Combat, Long Stick, Flail) I built a friendship with Taekkyeon GM Song Duk-Ki and Hapkido founder, GM Choi Young-Sul. With them, I exchanged opinions and skills about Korean Martial Arts and talked about the identity of Traditional Korean Martial Arts. Finally, because Iwas interested in watching Traditional Dancing and Talchum(Mask Dancing), I applied these soft Dancing Movements to my martial arts.

(4) Why do you found Hwalmoodo? Because I wanted to recover traditional korean martial arts which have beautiful and unique movements with our ancestors’ spirits. As I experienced, if our future generations learn the martial arts of having ancestors’ patriotism, they will take pride of our ancestors’ brilliant intangible cultural heritage. I thought that the most korean martial artswere the most global martial arts. So, I also wanted to spread and promote Korean Martial Arts all over the world. Korean Martial Arts had been systematized and transferred to defend ourselves and territory
in many wars and foreign invasions. Korean Martial Arts functioned as the method of guarding the country during the war. But during the peace period, they served as the way of building personal growth. Korean Martial Arts were in a danger of almost disappearing after Japanese occupation and korean war. So I wanted to establish the value of korean martial arts right away. I mean, in order to rebuild the system of korean martial arts, Ifounded World Hwalmoodo Federation on March 7th, 1976.

(5) What are the different steps of creating it? For the first time, I named my martial arts style Tongil Hapkido in order to spread it easily. But it is different from Hapkido and other korean martial arts in that it is based on different origin and spirits. So I called it Hwalmoodo. Based on the unknown local traditional martial arts, I added smooth and dynamic traditional korean movements, Techniques of Attack and Defence, Self-defense Martial Arts, Techniques of twisting Joints, One’s Specialty, Techniques of Super Strength, Art of using a stick as a weapon, Swordmanship, Body Correction, Getting one’s backbone realigned, Sparring etc.

6) What is it composed of? Hwalmoodo(활무도,活武道) includes; DanjeonHoheup(단전호흡,丹田呼吸) Dan-jun Breathing Exercise, Hypogastric Breathing Nakbeop(낙법,落法, Fall Skills) HoejeonGongbangSul(회전공방술,回轉攻防術) which is similar to traditional korean dance without heavy body movements. Anyone can do it like bare-hand Gymnastics. Especially, when you do it with catching breath, it can be a good exercise for recovering health problems. Gongbangsul(공방술,攻防術, Techniques of Attack and Defence) Hosinsul(호신술,護身術, Self-defense Martial Arts) Gwanjeolgi(관절기,關節技, Techniques of twisting Joints) Teukgisul(특기술,特技術, One’s Specialty) Charyeoksul(차력술,借力術, Techniques of Super Strength) Mugisul(무기술,武器術, Weapons)-Sickle and Scythe, String and Rope, Cane, Throwing knife, Knife and Sword etc. Bongsul(봉술,棒術, Art of using a stick as a weapon) Gumsul(검술,劍術, Swordmanship) SincheGyojeongSul(신체교정술,身體矯正術, Body Correction) Getting one’s backbone realigned Daeryeon(대련,對鍊, Sparring)

7) What are the different principles between Hwalmoodo and others Hapkido styles or Korean martial arts? Hwalmoodo is Martial Arts to save people not to hurt or kill. I mean that Hwal(활,活) Moo(무,武) Do(도,道) is ‘Hwarin(활인,活人) Martial Arts’. Translating literally, ‘Hwarin’ is to save and live a person’s life. Hwalmoodo is aesthetic martial arts of embracing. And it is also the process of exploring
broad-mindedness. Since 1976, Hwalmoodo has been systematized into Martial Arts. It is made up of dynamic(동,動,Dong) movements rather than static(정,靜,Jeong). This is not cut off motions, but still, natural, smooth and flowing motions like a gentle wind and a river running through the valley. As I said, Hwalmoodo is based on local traditional martial arts, body gestures on the basis of each movement in the life of our ancestors and smooth and dynamic movements of traditional korean dancing. In light of these points, I could say that Hwalmoodo is different from Hapkido and other korean martial arts.

(8) What is your goal for Hwalmoodo? How do you see the future of your system?

My goal for Hwalmoodo is to build the identity of traditional Korean martial arts and to inform that people can live a long life of pleasure with Hwalmoodo. I have recovered traditional korean martial arts, Hwalmoodo, which has beautiful and unique movements with our ancestors’ spirits. I hope our future generations will learn Hwalmoodo with taking pride of our ancestors’ brilliant intangible cultural heritage. The most korean things are the most global things. Therefore, I think that the future of Hwalmoodo will have a bright prospect as long as the spirit of ‘Hwalin’ is alive.

(9) Can you explain the ranking system in Hwalmoodo?

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(10) What is your point of view regarding Hwalmoodo in Europe?

It has been over 20 years since Hwalmoodo took root in Europe. I think they are doing very well. I could say that If you learn mine, it is not mine but yours. Everything in the world is a teacher. Now I could learn Hwalmoodo from European Hwalmoodo family. Hwalmoodo is not martial arts locked in a frame. It is still alive and breathe with learners. Remember that Hwalmoodo is martial arts for saving the life of people.

HAVING DRAWN YOUR ATTENTION, LET'S BE MORE SPECIFIC.

The Combat Hapkido is a practical system for Self Protection and self-defense without rules, which teaches how to prevent, deal and overcome all kinds of attacks. It is not a traditional martial art, like all those we knew. It is a system which is constantly developed and adds new and specialized fighting techniques.
What makes it different from many other martial arts is that its techniques are simple and applicable in emergency conditions and teaches ways of defense for many different kinds and situations of violence. Its learning is quite easy and the performance of its techniques come very naturally by the trainee in real conditions.
While in other action sports the person is trained only with gloves, protective feet, face, head, etc., in the Combat Hapkido we learn how to face the danger in everyday life, where the above accessories are missing ... So, the student is trained in how to use his hands, legs, body, head or even ... everyday common objects (see keys, spoons, bags etc.) to avoid any attack on anyone space you find (open or closed). Furthermore, the student learns the vulnerable parts of the body, for example, neck, shoulders, eyes, knees, groin, etc. So that to neutralize the opponent effectively.
However the Combat Hapkido is not just a self-defense and avoidance system, so it would be wrong to stand alone in it or interpret it like that. The Combat Hapkido primarily is an aggressive Self-Protection and self-defense system without rules, is a hand to hand fight which is far from philosophies, graceful movements, bows and other relevant.
Moreover, an important role in the training of this system plays the physical condition of the individual. For this reason, the training includes several strength exercises as well as exercises to increase flexibility, with an emphasis on speed, stamina, accuracy and synchronization.

• Prevention, avoidance, escape and evasion.
• Throwing and twists in all directions and angles.
• Attacks and counterattacks performed from all positions and postures, all the rhythms and to all targets, distances, lengths, heights, angles and directions.
• Use of all common objects for defensive purposes.
• Defending all unarmed attacks: punches, kicks and blows of any kind. Escapes from all kinds of handles and locks.
• Defending all armed attacks and threats of knife and sharp objects, sticks and other sharp objects and all firearms.
• Handling and facing these attacks, when coming from all possible directions and places. When executed by one or multiple attackers. When they occur in all possible places, positions and postures. Including limited or open spaces, in an ally, staircase or a car. In all kinds of soil, water, or when there is freedom of movement or a limited space. While the defenders are stationary or moving, they are sitting or standing or lying back, on the side or face down.
• Physical and mental control and disarm.
• Preparing trainees to function in all circumstances and scenarios, in any kind of combat and game environments, according to their needs, the risks faced and the requirements of their work. The Combat Hapkido offers the capacity and brings technical, tactical, physical and mental development, and ability to adapt to any situation.

In the Combat Hapkido there are special courses for women of all ages, where they learn the specialized self-defense techniques in a short time. However, this does not exclude women who wish to enter into the normal adult classes, and there are also special sections for children.

Europe seminar with the highest graduated
Hwalmoodo grandmasters from Korea on 11th & 12th October in Friedrichsdorf

We are happy about the new Hwalmoodo membership named "Martial Arts Center" in Dielsdort near Zurich in Switzerland in our association. The Dojang headed by Master Thomas Maier. The complete Contact can be found at schools / Switzerland. WELCOME!

The first Hwal Moo Do seminar ever to be held in the United Kingdom will take place on the 24th and 25th of November 2012 in Edinburgh (Scotland), held by Master Mark Klinger as well as Benedikt Scholl and Andreas John. The seminar is organised by Stefano Albrecht, the UK representative of the European Hwal Moo Do Federation.

Hwalmoo Hapkido in St. Petersburg Russia

in April 2012, Hartmut Sparschuh 8th Dan introduced Hwalmoo Hapkido with success in a Russian Hapkido club.
We look forward to continuing to work.

On June 21, a 10-person team from Belgium flew to South Korea to train and visit the country of Hwalmoodo’s roots. Also other less known traditional Korean martial arts were on planning as well as visits to most interesting places of culture and fun.
Among several smaller attractions was also an overnight at a traditional Korean family in the country side. Significantly, however, was training at the Headquarter of the Hwalmoodo Association with Grandmaster Moon. In the evenings there were trainings sessions planned in the other schools of the association. The first weekend there was a visit to the cultural city “Gyeongju”, where in addition to culture there was a visit to the largest water amusement park “California Beach”. The water slides over there are beyond imagination. In the second week the training became more intensive because of the constant heat. Regular visits to the Korean sauna were more than welcome. After another week of training a 2 day trip to the beaches of Pusan was planned. The third week was spent entirely in Seoul and its surroundings, where lots of palaces, the nations border, markets, shops and of course for the youth the never ending nightlife was quite an experience. A special highlight was a trip to the fortress of Suwon, where the team had the opportunity to experience Korean traditional archery.