Hapkido translated  is the art of coordinating power. Hapkido as we know it comes from Korea, but it has a convoluted development that can be traced across Asia from Japan to Korea. Korean martial arts historians argue that Hapkido can be traced in Korean History more than 2000 years, when it was believed to be practiced by the Buddhist monks and members of the Korean noble elite as a means of self-discipline and self-defense. The Martial Arts (Moo Sool) began in Korea through Buddhism. The techniques were initially handed down through the hierarchy of monks to ruling families and other royal officials as a means of self-protection and personal safety. The recorded history of Moo Sool dates back to Sam Kuk Sidae (The Era of Three Kingdoms, c. 3) Buddhism arrived in China from India circa 67 BC and was introduced into Korea in 372. The evidence of Buddhism and Moo Sool passing through the Korean court can be found in various wall paintings depicting martial artist during Kokuryo.

Moo Sool disappeared almost entirely during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Hapkido was reintroduced to Korea by the father of Hapkido, Dojunim (Founder) -Yong Sool Choi (1904-1986). Ji Han Jae is credited with establishing what  is contemporarily called  hapkido. He did so by combining the fighting and meditative skills he learned from Doju Choi, Yong Sul, the warrior monk known as Taoist Lee Dosa and an ascetic hermit nun known as Saramonim (commonly referred to as Grandma). The combined teachings gave birth to a system that focuses on the coordination of one’s mental, spiritual and physical energy into one. With  the help of a group of dedicated disciples and close friends Dojunim Ji, developed Hapkido in to a cohesive martial art that has spread throughout the world over the past six decades.

Now days all over the world there exists a solid foundation of Hapkido schools. Hapkido is the primary system of Korean martial art that exists solely and strictly for the purpose of self-defense. So effective is Hapkido, that during the Vietnam conflict, United States special-forces groups were taught the skills of Hapkido as a means of hand to hand combat. Within a scenario of self defense a hapkidoist usually avoids meeting an attack head on. The Hapkidoist stands his ground and wait for the assault unless the situation warrants for an offensive response. When attacked a hapkidoist’s usual response is to step to the side and deflect the blow before taking the offensive by countering with numerous attacks, taking full advantage of the opponent's momentum and motions. While this is the main coruse of action taught in hapkido in order to manage conflict, when necessary hapkidoist are taught preemptive techniques that encompass the same physical  conflict resolution strategies. The hapkidoist’s objective is to overwhelm the opponent with swift, strong and tremendous force. The hapkidoist achieves this objective through a series of counter-offensive techniques involving strikes, kicks, pressure point strikes, joint locks, sweeps and/or throws.

Sin Moo Hapkido was founded in 1984 by Dojunim Ji, Han Jae. Sinmoo Hapkido teaches practical self-defense and personal growth. With a strong emphasis on non-physical techniques Sin Moo Hapkido not only provides practical physical training, but also gives tools to benefit the practitioner in all aspect of their lives. “Sin” means higher mind, spirit, and sometimes is translated as God.  Basically the concept of Sin places a stronger emphasis on the non-physical aspects of martial arts. The focus of Sin Moo Hapkido resides on the pursue of perfection, personal and spiritual growth, making yourself a better person, and not simply self defense or fighting.  “Moo” refers to the  martial or military arts. whish are  systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat.  The term martial mainly  refers to the art of warfare. “Hap” means Together or to bring together in harmony. This means bringing together all parts of a person; mind, body, and spirit, in the same context of the Samilsingo (three making one).  “Ki" is often translated as energy or life force. In Sin Moo Hapkido, Ki, in this instance has to do with the Mind, Body, and Spirit and the three aspects that make up a complete person. “Do” means the way or a way of life. Sin Moo Hapkido is not simply a group of techniques that are used for self defense. The philosophy and rules that serve as the foundation of Sin Moo Hapkido make it a way of life that will permeate everything that a practitioner does; ie., diet, meditation, exercise, sex, etc. Sin Moo Hapkido touches on all aspects of life and is not just something that a person can practice once or twice a week. Sin Moo Hapkido roughly translates to the way of  using  the martial disciplines to develop harmony and cohesiveness between the  mind, the body and the sprit.