Editor s Letter: Greetings to All WHA members. -Master Monty Hendrix WHA Newsletter Supervising Editor WHA Eastern U.S.A. Director

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1 March/April 2013 What s Inside: Training Tip A Woman s Perspective The Next Level WHA Winter Camp 2013 Highlights The Unessentials Call For Quotes The WHA Welcomes: Rob de Kroon Culemborg, Netherlands John Qualman Woodleaf, North Carolina Mike Longbottom Casper, Wyoming Editor s Letter: Greetings to All WHA members. We have just recently returned from Sunny Santa Monica, California where Grand Master Tae Jung and Master Jason Jung hosted another empowering WHA camp. In this particular issue of the WHA Newsletter you will find reflections about the training and friendships that were fostered at the camp. You will also find information about the Pro-HapKiDo tournament and event that Master Dan Piller, our WHA Secretary General, will be hosting this summer. Read on to hear about all of the exciting times within the World HapKiDo Association. -Master Monty Hendrix WHA Newsletter Supervising Editor WHA Eastern U.S.A. Director Tyler Treadwell Vancouver, Washington Tara Widmer Killeen, Texas Find Us On Facebook: World Hapkido Association

2 The World Hapkido Association Official Newsletter Please Keep Your Address Current! Pass The Word... WHA Is On Facebook! The person who is number 800, 900, & 1000 to like the WHA Facebook page will Win!!! 800 Wins An Autographed WHA Ultimate Hapkido DVD 900 Wins An Official WHA Do Bok/Uniform With Custom Embroidery 1000 Wins Free Registration For Either A WHA Summer Or Winter Training Camp Find Us On Facebook: In the event of a change in your address, please drop me a note with your name and new address. I can change the database and you will receive the newsletters every month. If you are a WHA member and you re not getting the newsletter every month, then I don t have your correct address. This also means that we can t send you special notices about camps etc. Thank you, Tom Reed Executive Director Tom@worldhapkido.com

3 Video Training Tip With WHA Eastern U.S. Director Master Monty Hendrix: In this short video, Master Monty Hendrix, WHA Eastern United States Director, gives you a practical and simple way to deal with an opponent that has you in a front head lock by slightly modifying the reverse turning break. Pay extra attention to the notes about hip movement and posture. Click Here To Link -Master Hendrix WHA Eastern USA Director

4 WHA Charter School Essential Martial Arts Holds March HapKiDo Belt Promotion. On Friday, March 1st, Essential Martial Arts held a gup and dan promotion in Greensboro, NC. Overseeing the test was WHA Eastern USA Director - Master Monty Hendrix. Assistant Judge was WHA 3rd Dan - Mr. Dug Weston. Guest Judging was WHA charter school owner - Mr. Joe Needham and floor conducting was WHA black belt - Mr. Ricky Hyatt. Special congratulations to Mr. Michael Fryar who earned his WHA 1st Dan Black Belt.

5 The World Hapkido Association Official Newsletter WHA Winter Camp... A Woman s Perspective By Helen Stehlik What an amazing time at the WHA Hapkido Winter Camp! I, along with several fellow students and Master Mike Barnard of Han Ho Martial Arts, traveled from New York to California to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. It was an honor to learn from and train along side of these accomplished Masters. As a Hapkido student I could go into great detail of all the techniques and drills that were covered at the camp, but I have been asked to give my account from a different point of view a woman s point of view. As I train Hapkido, I do not really give much thought to the women vs. men mentality. Since I am smaller and lighter than most people I train with (men or women), I tend to focus more on the issue of size. That is why I love Hapkido so much; it is a great equalizer. Size does not matter - great technique matters. At the camp there was a strong emphasis on improving basic core techniques. As it was pointed out during our training there is nothing basic about the basics. When Master Jung executed these basic techniques in his lesson, it was the embodiment of the art of Hapkido. It was done at such an amazing level of speed, ease and grace which allowed each technique to flow smoothly into one another. It was a wonderful example showing when these core techniques are perfected, they give us a strong foundation to continue to build on. One of the points Master Piller made that I found most useful was the concept of not muscling techniques. This is especially important for me, There Is Nothing Basic About The Basics and probably most women, if the attacker is much bigger. Utilizing the principles of Hapkido circles, flow, and harmony will produce much more effective results. Remaining relaxed and utilizing the opponent s energy against them will allow you to overcome much larger opponents. The saying The bigger they are, the harder they fall is true! The bigger someone is and the more energy they exert, the easier it is for us to use our Hapkido training to overcome them. As we practiced multiple flow drills, on partners of various sizes, these principles became most evident. One technique I ve struggled with in my training is the fireman s throw - especially against a larger opponent. Master Hendrix provided great instruction on how to properly execute this move. Again, size was not an issue. Utilizing correct technique (body placement) vs. muscle allows someone my size to easily do the fireman s throw, even on someone much larger. I felt quite accomplished as I was tossing some of the bigger guys around! The WHA Winter Camp was a great experience. From a woman s perspective I found the camp emphasis on the core basics, the principles of Hapkido, and proper execution of techniques to be most helpful. There were so many other great aspects of the training, as well. Any Hapkido student, man or woman, would find it to be extremely rewarding. There is so much to learn and to be able to do it with these amazing Masters is humbling.

6 World Hapkido Association Newsletter Take Your Skills To The Next Level! By Elnora Fuentes Whether you stake your claim in the Self Defense Division or rise to the top in the Sparring Division, the 3rd Annual Rocky Mountain Pro-Hapkido Tournament is around the corner and we are waiting for you! Show the beauty and grace of our art as you demonstrate Ho Shin Sool (Self Defense) techniques. In divisions by rank, work with a partner to display your three best self defense techniques. Show off your favorite Hapkido techniques with precision, quality, control, and flow. Black Belts are requested to utilize at least one defense against a weapon of their choice. Display the strength and power of those same techniques in sparring matches that progress from stand-up to the ground. With divisions by rank and weight, the Sparring Division is the place for utilizing your complete arsenal in full contact bouts. Character lives in a man, reputation outside of him. J. G. Holland Custom carved and engraved awards await the Grand Champion of the Self Defense and the Sparring Divisions. Win your way to one of these as you dominate your division. Individual division winners will come together to compete for the title of Grand Champion. Last year s tournament winners are looking forward to defending their titles and would enjoy some friendly competition! Hosted in the metro area of Denver, Colorado, you won t want to miss this year s tournament. It s your time to Strike! Takedown! Submit! For more information, please visit

7 The World Hapkido Association Presents 3rd Annual Rocky Mountain Custom Carved & Engraved Grand Champion Awards For Sparring & Self-Defense Divisions Saturday, June 15, pm Ki Martial Arts Centers 9064 Highway 285 Morrison, Colorado For Registration & Details Log On To The events with be held upstairs in Jazzercise Conifer Fitness Center.

8 Winter Retreat 2013 Santa Monica By Patrick Rosenberg After settling into University of Wisconsin in Madison almost two years ago, I was deeply frustrated that I could not find a single Hapkido studio. When the 2013 winter retreat rolled around, I did not hesitate to sign up. I thought to myself, I get a weekend of Hapkido classes from the WHA s most well recognized masters, as well as enjoying weather above 30 degrees? Sign me up! Nestled next to an IHOP and a short ride from Santa Monica s iconic 3rd Street Promenade, the Best Western welcomed Hapkido practitioners with a variety of belt levels and ages. After checking in to the hotel, I found my way to the carpeted conference room that I would become very familiar with during the next few days. I was thrilled to see Grand Master Jung, Master Jason and some of the masters who judged my tests when I was growing up in the Hapkido family. After greeting Grand Master Jung, Master Jason Jung, Master Pillar, Master Hendrix, Master Ghaffari and Master Benedetto. I was honored to kick off the retreat by teaching a black belt weapons class. The hour and a half flew by as we honed our staff skills, specifically working on rotation and control, strikes and blocks, sparring drills, and unarmed staff defense. Mr. Barnard followed with a color belt class, focusing on breaking down important, but often overlooked aspects of striking. Many students benefited from learning how to not give away kicks during sparring (an incredibly useful tool). Later in the evening, masters and beginners alike crowded into Yankee Doodle s for a well-earned meal. Only now do I realize how important those calories were. I was going to need them the next day for both energy and healing. Saturday started at 9:30 am with a brief warm-up and ki breathing drills taught by Master Hendrix. The training day was broken down into five different classes taught by individual masters. WHA President Grand Master Jung was the first to teach, focusing on combining techniques starting from the flow drill. I was amazed as Grand Master Jung seamlessly transitioned from move to move, demonstrating the very meaning of the flow drill. Although his lesson incorporated moves that many students have been practicing for years, we all benefited from solidifying our Hapkido foundations. Next, Master Benedetto broke down evading, redirecting, and molding against strikes. While many students understand the basic concepts in blocking or dodging, Master Benedetto carefully illustrated the most effective ways to defend against punches and kicks. By this time, every- Continued

9 Continued body had worked up a decent sweat and was ready for lunch. Some searched the beautiful streets of Santa Monica for a bite to eat, while the majority of us, masters included, enjoyed a meal at the IHOP attached to the hotel. Shortly following our lunch break and another brief warm-up, Master Jason Jung taught a series of original techniques, using the foundations of Hapkido we practiced earlier in the day as well, as incorporating new techniques. On a side note, I have been fortunate enough to train with both Grand Master Jung as well as Master Jason Jung my entire life. Naturally, when Master Jason Jung needed an assistant to help him demonstrate the techniques, I was more than happy to volunteer. Needless to say, the carpeted floor and I became quite good friends during the next several hours. In the second half of his lesson, Master Jason Jung introduced a free-flowing drill to test one s Hapkido techniques in a less predicable setting. We all found a partner, and defended ourselves while Master Jason Jung shouted out random strikes and grabs for our partner to attack each of us with. The WHA Eastern U.S. Director Master Hendrix followed Master Jason Jung s class. Master Hendrix concentrated on a very common move that most execute incorrectly, the fireman throw. But he could not throw himself, and since I was already warmed up from helping Master Jason Jung, I was again happy to help. Master Hendrix delved deep into the fireman throw, counters, and counter-counters. The WHA Secretary General Master Dan Pillar taught the final lesson of the day. Master Pillar s lesson, like the previous lessons, reinforced the importance of Hapkido foundations as well as working specifically on new skills. His techniques incorporated controlling an opponent through small joint manipulation, throwing, and restraining the opponent, eliminating the threat completely. Please take me at my word when I say that Master Pillar s techniques were extremely effective at controlling the pace and intensity of a fight. While I consider myself fairly athletic, and I was lucky enough to experience Master Pillar s Hapkido firsthand, I had absolutely no desire to resist. While we were all disappointed to see the training session end, the day finished on a celebratory note, as Grand Master Jung handed out certificates and awards for camp participation. Most noteworthy, Master Monty Hendrix received the Master Instructor of the Year Award for his dedication and service to the World Hapkido Association. I unfortunately had to fly back to Wisconsin Sunday morning and miss the end of the retreat; I enjoyed every minute of the 2013 Winter Retreat and look forward to the next opportunity for us all to be together to learn and grow through Hapkido. Patrick Rosenberg, 19 3rd Dan Black Belt

10 WHA Masters With Ki Martial Arts Students Of Colorado And Arizona. WHA President Grand Master Tae Jung Presents Master Monty Hendrix The WHA Master Of The Year Award.

11 Hack Away At The Unessential By Chris Coyle A central principle in the martial arts is that simplicity is best. You learn that the closer you live to the true martial way, the easier things get. In sparring, you quickly discover that when an attack comes, your simplest response is the right one. It is the most efficient. It is the strongest. It gets the job done.you discover that showy, more complicated moves may leave you vulnerable-or worse, out of action. There s an old saying that asserts, A punch is just a punch. Some practitioners however bristle at that statment, thinking it suggests anything goes - an attitude that, unfortunately, some people do apply to living. But the lesson contains a hidden message. There s a time when we all just punch away, hoping to get our shots in any way we can...though often this approach doesn t pan out. Then we learn technique and suddenly find ourselves so restricted and self conscious, trying to get it right, that we still mess things up. Even so, after a while, we start executing techniques effectively without thinking. Then we perfect them. Knowledge and good skill become ingrained. Action becomes free and functional. This is the power of simplicity. Relax Under Pressure How do we get to simplicity? There s a famous quote attributed to Bruce Lee, but it may have come from another source originally. Anyway, it s a valuable one: It s not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential. This is a real world less is more mindset, and you see it at play in the highest levels of basically anything that one would consider an art or a sport. If you are a higher level Hapkido player, you can probably relate this to HKD right away. But if not, think about anything you re proficient at. It feels relaxed, natural...you ve shaved off all the excess effort and awkwardness you once felt as a novice and worked through as an intermediate. You re still learning, but you re fluent. In music, a tight band isn t precise or deliberate in a robotic sense; the proficiency comes from the combination of repetition and relaxation. This is what allows you to truly be in the moment, and balance just the right blend of focus and flow. Continued

12 Continued On the mat or in the ring, it s the same. As your skill grows, you use less energy physically, but also become less attached to any particular outcome in the moment...you know that you want to kick the knee and shoot for an arm bar, but the fact that your opponent reacts and cuts off that attacking angle no longer makes your heart rate spike and your muscles tense... This is because you have: 1) Learned to relax under pressure (mindset). 2) Your knowledge and skill have provided you with other options when the one is no longer available (preparation). Again, we know that Hapkido is about efficiency of the body, but it is also about developing the psychological efficiency that one develops through the process of mastery. How can a professional mixed martial artist, boxer or Muay Thai fighter keep from holding their breath, tensing up their shoulders and traps every time they are setting up a striking combination on their opponent - or when enduring a barrage of strikes from that opponent? When I first started training in striking, I thought it was about just dealing with it and being tough. But even in arts where you can be bludgeoned with fist, elbows, knees and shins, the principle is no different. I now know from my WHA training, that tensing up when hit makes it worse... if I m in motion and able to roll with a head strike, for example, what would have rocked my brain now simply grazes. I also know that mentally over-reacting to being hit will cause my body to follow suit, burning up valuable energy in my muscles, causing fatigue, and preventing me from being able to recover, counter, and generally perform to my best. So your homework from this article is to spend the next few days doing some shaving of your own. What fat can you trim, or excess mental or physical energy can you whittle away, in order to relax under pressure? Remember, as much as Hapkido seems like a process of accumulating knowledge, especially in the beginning, it is JUST as much a process of that daily decrease. Enjoy your training :) Hap-Ki! Instructor Coyle

13 Need More Hapkido Training? Visit our web site and check out our Online Courses! Our online training program was established in 2000 due to an overabundance of requests from people who had the desire to study but could not, because they were unable to locate a training center in their area. Offering a multitude of courses as well as certification programs that uphold the high quality standards of the World Hapkido Association, our online courses provide the opportunity for anyone to study Hapkido anywhere in the world. Ultimate Hapkido with Master Tae Jung only $ $5.95 s/h Courses I & II & III Complete Staff Training Featuring Master Jason Jung $ s/h Order yours today!

14 We Want To Hear From You! The WHA Newsletter is For The Members By The Members. If you have something to say we want to hear it: Events, Seminars, Testing, Promotions, Opinions, Questions, Experiences, Photos etc, on and off the mat. Want To Have Your School Profiled In An Upcoming Issue Of The WHA Newsletter? Send us a bio on the school, instructor(s) and a photo and we will include it. Submissions Are Due The 1st Of May For The May/June Issue. Supervising Editor: Master Monty Hendrix Chief Editor: Dug Weston Please send all newsletter submissions to the WHA Newsletter Supervising Editor: Master Monty Hendrix at: Mhendrix@EssentialMartialArts.com Can We Quote You? We want quotes from any Hapkidoist for the May/June Newsletter. Please briefly state your personal gains from your training in Hapkido, your Instructor and Dojang. us! Mhendrix@EssentialMartialArts.com The World Hapkido Association Official Newsletter