At Eagleville Taekwondo Academy

Hapkido is a Korean martial art, which is translated as “the way of coordinated power”. It is a modern synthesis of elements of several self defense systems from the Northeastern Asian region. It encompasses kicking, hand strikes, joint locking, throws, pressure point manipulation, ground fighting, and mental training. This gives Hapkido a wide breadth of skills.

Hapkido requires use of its skills for defensive purposes only. It teaches principles that cause aggressive force to be deflected away in a circular manner by skillful application of timing. Consequently, it requires less strength by the defender and leaves the aggressor vulnerable to rapidly flowing counter techniques.

Anyone can benefit from the study of Hapkido. However, certain aspects of training require a developed level of patience and physical maturity to make it safe and productive. Therefore training is not currently offered to those under the age of 12 years.

Eagleville Tae Kwon Do Academy offers instruction in the International Hapkido Federation (IHF) style under the auspices of Grandmaster Bong Soo Han (9th Dan). The IHF is the organization that promotes and administrates this system . Grandmaster Han is best known popularly for his acting, fight choreography, and stunt work in films such as “Billy Jack”, “The Presidio”, and others. This reputation often overshadows his 60 plus years of practice of the martial arts, and his teaching of Hapkido in the United States since 1967. Eagleville Tae Kwon Do Academy is also the only facility currently affiliated with the IHF in the northeastern United States.

Mr. Jerry Weber conducts the Hapkido program at Eagleville Taekwondo Academy. He began formal martial arts training in 1983, and holds a 3rd Dan in Taekwondo, a Master of Science Degree in Exercise and Sport Physiology (research emphasis in stretching and flexibility training), and has studied Aikido under Shihan Carmen Pelusi.