Are all Hapkido techniques based on large circular movements?
Circular movements in Hapkido can be either large or small, depending upon the technique or Hapkido system. Different systems often have different preferences. In the hands of highly-skilled practitioners, many Hapkido techniques are applied using small, tight circular movements (particularly joint locks). Nonetheless, Hapkido is often incorrectly perceived as an art of large circular motions. Inaccurate perceptions regarding Hapkido’s circular movement likely stem from the following: When teaching circular movements (e.g., joint locks), the traditional methodology was to initially teach large circular motions, which were gradually made smaller over a period of years. This made the techniques safer (also less effective), and assisted students in understanding basic movements and biomechanical principles. It was also done to camouflage the real nature of the technique, until students had proved their loyalty over many years. In other words, students basically practiced “bad” technique u
