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Yukiyama Ryu
Hapkido - Judo - Ju Jutsu
Hapkido is a Korean art founded by Yong Sul Choi in the 1950’s, and has its roots in Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu as taught by Sokaku Takeda. The name Hapkido can be translated in a similar way to the word "Aikido" and means "Way of Harmonized Energy". As it evolved, Hapkido incorporated a very broad array of striking techniques and later incorporated more Judo-based throws and ground fighting skills. Hapkido makes extensive use of throws, joint locks, and several traditional weapons. Shinsei Hapkido is built around the core principle of 'Evade, Invade, Control'. For some history and background concerning the Korean martial arts please see: History of Korean Martial Arts
Judo was developed by Jigoro Kano in 1882 after training in Tenshin Shinyo and Kito Ryu Ju Jutsu, but Judo also contains elements of Takenouchi Ryu, Sekiguchi Ryu and Yoshin Ryu Ju Jutsu. Judo literally means, “Way of Gentleness.” Judo involves throwing, grappling, joint locking and choking skills that employ principles of evasion, balance, leverage and momentum. Two of the most important maxims of Judo are: Seirokyu Zenyo or "Maximum efficiency, minimum effort" and Jita Kiyoei or "Mutual benefit and welfare". Another way of translating Jita Kiyoei is "You and me shining together". Judo training normally involves learning basic techniques (waza), forms (kata) and practicing free practice (randori). Judo also has a competition aspect (shiai) as an Olympic sport.
Ju Jutsu is a term for many traditional styles of Japanese martial arts and means "Techniques of Gentleness" implying that rather than meeting an opponent head on and fighting strength for strength, it is better to use non-resistance and employ an opponent's energy against them. Clan-based Ju Jutsu developed in feudal Japan initially as a form of unarmed combat on the battlefield, but has evolved considerably since the feudal era. Yukiyama Ryu Ju Jutsu has at its base Akayama Ryu Ju Jutsu, Moo Sul Kwan Hapkido, Shinsei Hapkido and Kodokan Judo and is both traditional and pragmatic. Yukiyama Ryu involves no-nonsense throwing, grappling, striking, joint lock and weapons-based skills.
Commonalities: All three styles are built around principles of evasion and non-resistance combined with the use of an opponent's energy against them and require an ability to fall safely. Although the details of specific techniques might vary, there are many overlaps in both in the application of principles and in the use of similar techniques. For some historical background concerning Judo & Ju Jutsu, please visit: History of Japanese Martial Arts.
Advanced Class demo practice, August 2025: Knife and stick defenses
Shinsei
Aikido
Aikido is a Japanese martial art founded by Morehei Ueshiba, also known as “O Sensei,” which means Great Teacher. Aikido evolved from a synthesis of several other traditional arts studied by the founder, including Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu from Sokaku Takeda, Jujutsu from Tokusaburo Tojawa; fencing from Masakatsu Nakai; and spear fighting.
O Sensei did not originally name his style as Aikido, he went through a few different versions and names of what to call his art. In his journey along the martial path, his style began to change and evolve, until he eventually settled on Aikido, which like Hapkido, means the "Way of Harmonizing Energy".
Aikido is known as the study of the attack, rather than the technique. In fact, the goal of training is to discover the ability to be totally free of attempting technique and resolve all conflicts with spontaneous action. Spontaneity of response is achieved by surrendering to universal energy, and never being in conflict with what is, allowing all action to happen naturally, rather like the unfolding of perfect harmonic values in beautiful music.
Aikido emphasizes training principles such as the unified point of attack, extending energy, moving from the one point, and universal love.
All the techniques of Aikido are found in other Japanese arts such as Ju Jutsu, Judo, and Aikijujutsu. The techniques are meant to be performed without any effort, without any tension in the mind, or the body, and to “Live Under the Blade,” which means to accept the energy of the attack and allow it to flow back into the attacker or disperse it in a throw.
Aikido Bokken Class, August 2025
Qigong and Taiji
By way of introduction, consider that Taiji stands on a four-legged stool, each of which is integral to the understanding of the art:
Qigong and Neigong: Literally this means the work of Qi and the work of breath. Gong means work, so in Qigong and Neigong, we are learning how to work with our Qi and our breath. Qi is the energy of life and matter. You can think of it as the metabolic energy of the body if you wish. Breathing involves learning how to breathe deeply, fully and in the right ways at the right time. In our practice we will use very specific Qigong exercises, like the Eight Brocades and the Yi Jin Jing. We will also pay attention to breathing during the form and when we do Push Hands together.
Taolu = Solo Form Training: In our case, we are learning the International Standard twenty-four move Yang form. It is said that it is better to engage one form and master it over a lifetime of study, as opposed to learning lots of different forms and never really master any of them. The point here is really simple. You may 'learn' a form in a few months, but there will always be lessons hidden within the form for those who dig deeply enough. If all you do is repeat what you learned, then you have stopped learning and the door to mastery will be forever closed. Mastery comes from challenging yourself over and over to discover deeper lessons and deeper meanings.
Tuishou = Partner Push Hands Training: Push hands can be divided into choregraphed, patterned movement, and also non-choreographed, free flowing movement. You can think of push hands as slow motion partner drills in which each partner is attempting to find the center of gravity and to compromise their partner's balance. At another level, the center of balance can also be seen as both mental/emotional as well as physical. As is said, where the mind goes, the Qi follows.
Sanshou = The Martial and Health Applications: Remember that as stylized as it is, Taiji has, at its root, a martial origin. Hidden within each move of the form is one or more martial applications. It is said in the T'ai Chi Chu'an Ching (The Taiji Classic written by Zhang Senfeng somewhere between 1279 and 1368) that everything in Taiji must withstand the "most rigorous martial analysis". Additionally, following the Daoist precepts of longevity and health, every movement in Taiji is aimed towards a sense of inner and outer harmony. (see article concerning health benefits).
In Summary, I offer four quotes from the T'ai Chi Chu'an Ching for you to consider:
"All motion should be rooted in the feet, released through the legs, controlled at the hips [center] and manifest through the fingers "
"In motion, all parts of the body must be light, relaxed, agile and united in both purpose and action"
" Be as still as a mountain, move like a great river"
"Taiji uses stillness to control movement. Although one moves, there is stillness. In practicing the form, slower is better."
For some overall history and information about Taiji, Qigong and Chinese martial arts see the following:
Fall Colors and Push Hands, October 2025
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