Hapkido, like Taekwondo, is a martial art of Korean origin. Its name means literally the way of coordinating power.  It is a practical, comprehensive self-defense system, formulated for every day situations.  Hapkido specializes in four principals for self-defense:

	pressure points
	joint locks
	throws
	strikes

With its heavy emphasis on self-defense, Hapkido teaches hand, elbow, and knee strikes, kicks, joint locks, throwing, and grappling techniques.  It is famous for defense against gun, knife, and club attacks.

Hapkido centers itself by controlling the attacker with non-resisting movements using circular motion.  This allows the practitioner to gain advantage through footwork and body positioning to employ leverage and attack a joint, avoiding the use of strength against strength.  Strikes and pressure points may be used before and/or after and engagement.