Is hapkido the right choice for me?

Question

well i am 16(about to turn 17 in june) and im interested in taking hapkido classes but whats holding me back is that i have mild cerebral palsy on one leg in which now one leg is a little longer than the other but a few think otherwise and would like to know if i am too old?would it help me on the streets? and any info would be helpful

Answer 1

if you are looking for a good street technique, u should look into ju-jitsu, it is an art made to defend against larger opponents in a street fight, by using grappling and submission, rather than a sieres of take downs like hopkido teaches. on the plus side,ur cerebral palsy may work to ur advantage in a ju=jitsu match. look in to it/ gacie ju-jitsu or BJJ... google it

Answer 2

I agree with getting a doctor's ok. If a blind person, a senior citizen and the wheelchair bound can do it you can too my friend! I'm not joking. Hapkido can very easily be adapted to your physical limitations. You have chosen a good style for yourself. You certainly are not too young. Hapkido is a technical martial art so it does take time for it to become street effective. That been said, a 1st degree black belt of a good school is quite capable of self defense.

I say go for it! if you get yourself a good instructor I don't think you will regret it. =)

Answer 3

From what I know about hapkido I think it is a reasonably good choice for anyone who is interested in self defense. The only real drawback is the fact that it takes a while to get proficient enough to be useful in a real life situation.

If your looking into something that is very focused on real life self defense situations, you may want to look into Japanese jujitsu (not Brazilian "Gracie" jujuitsu). You want a form the is focused on stand-up (joint locks, throws, and chokes), but may integrate a small amount of groundwork. In a street fight you may not only be faced with an attacker but with his friends as well. Ending up on the ground is the last thing you want to happen unless you cherish the idea of being kicked in the head by his friends while you are grappling with your opponent.

I applaud you for having the self assurance to pursue martial arts training with your disability. It may take you a little more effort than someone who is more able-bodied, but I'm sure that when you succeed it will make victory that much sweeter. Good luck.

Answer 4

If  a doctor gives you the O.k. a good hapkido teacher will work with you to help you get past your limitations or if possible correct them. Chuck Norris and Bill "Supper" Wallace both had physical limitations that they overcame to become successful in their chosen martial arts Style which by the way were also Korean styles .

Answer 5

Wrong choice, choose american kenpo, more hands, which takes less energy to fight with, too much of being thrown around in hapkido, akido and ju jisu. Hands are for fighting legs are for standing, remember when you have one leg off the ground your already half way off balance and on your way down. Good luck to you

Answer 6

Internal work is realy beneficial. Chen style tai chi is the most martial orientated and it would help you understand the basic movements and even give you some experience before learning hapkido.