Most people know that there are many different forms of martial arts. Ask the average student interested in studying ancient combat practices, and they will tell you they’ve heard of at least a few: Karate, for sure, and probably Kung Fu, Jiu-Jitsu, and Tae Kwon Do. In recent years Krav Maga, the self-defense system developed by the Israel Defense Forces, as well as Muy Thai, the Thai system of boxing that is something of a national sport in Thailand, have also gained in popularity.

But did you know that there are hundreds of distinct styles and schools of martial arts, all with their own unique histories, philosophies and styles?

One such style is Han Mu Do. Han Mu Do means Korean Martial Arts. A Korean philosophy rooted in the idea of balance and equilibrium, Han Mu Do was created by Grandmaster He-Young Kimm, who crafted the practice after studying both the traditional and modern Korean martial arts for more than 40 years.

What is Han Mu Do?

Students who take martial arts classes in Han Mu Do learn physical self-defense moves that are based in the school’s three tenets of optimism, balance and harmony. Like many martial arts practices, Han Mu Do is a study for both the body and the mind, and its classes emphasize development skills that apply both during physical practice and also outside during the rest of the students’ lives.

Because Dr. Kimm created Han Mu Do after studying a number of traditional Korean martial arts, the practice offers students a fighting system that encompasses a variety of combat strategies. These include hand strikes and leg kicks; empty hand techniques; choking, throwing, grappling and ground fighting; and how to attack pressure points and body cavities for maximum impact. They also include the skills of joint locks and bone separation, as well as general knowledge of Korean weapons.

Dr. Kimm trained under a number of masters of various Korean martial arts before creating Han Mu Do with the goal of offering students a defense system that incorporates the most powerful aspects of the different schools. In the 1950s, Dr. Kimm noticed that Korean self-defense techniques were due for an upgrade; the ancient schools of martial arts were miles removed from the modern self-defense techniques being practiced across the nation, and he wanted to find a way to bring them together.

What is Han Mu Do?

Dr. Kimm began conducting interviews and doing research on the many forms of Korean martial arts, and then began training himself. He learned under masters of a number of Korean martial arts practices, including Tae Kyun, Soo Byuk Ta, Yu Do, Yu Sul and Tae Kwon Do, Kum Do, Kum Sool, Kung Do, Kung Sul, Hapkido, Kuk Sool, Ship Phal Ki, and Son Do Sul. Dr. Kimm made sure that he understood both the deep inner philosophies of those practices as well as the practical elements.

When he felt he truly understood the great umbrella that is Korean martial arts practices, Dr. Kimm selected techniques and practices from across the spectrum and combined them into one grand martial arts school, Han Mu Do.

Everything a Han Mu Do student studies revolves around balance: how to balance techniques that include weapons with those that don’t; how to balance traditional ancient philosophy with new and fresh ideas; how to balance your right and left sides while fighting; and how to balance the physical (external) with the mental (internal).

What is Han Mu Do?

While students are learning kicks, punches, sweeps and blocks, they are also gaining flexibility, speed and core strength.

At the core of Han Mu Do teaching is the idea of harnessing your opponent’s power against themselves. Students tap into the idea of the Ki — their internal energy — learning breathing exercises to control, increase and capitalize on the immense strength at their disposal.

Han Mu Do is an art of quiet strength. Its moves are swift and elegant, and in Han Mu Do martial arts classes, students learn not to build muscle or produce big, dramatic chops and strikes, but rather to tap into a deep, fiery power within themselves — a power that all humans have — and to control it, stoke it at will, and use it with care and responsibility.

Leave a Reply

  1. Evarist Vella

    You’re right I had never heard of Han Mu Do and it seems to be like a really cool martial art. Incorporating MMA with joint locks and weapons it’s the whole deal. I didn’t really understand that Ki part in the end if it’s just proper breathing and sending positive vibes I’m all for that, but if it’s the kind that practice shooting ki balls I get a bit skeptic haha. Anyways great post I’ll go look more into this martial art 😀

  2. Zach pieretti

    Interest. Might open one here in Bend Oregon.

  3. Alessandra Alessi

    Thank you for this post, I found it very helpful. We have a Han Mu Do school in our neighborhood, I was considering it for my 3 years old daughter. I will definitely give it a try, she will benefit from this practice!

  4. Wes Blake

    What up Justin! Don’t be surprised if you see me at your studio soon. I’ve started to get fat. I want to remedy the situation before it gets out of control, and Han Mu Do sounds like it will benefit my life in more ways than just weight control. I’ll be in Franklin today & if time allows I’ll swing by. If you’re not there, I’ll call you within a week to check out my options. For others interested in learning from Justin; I have been friends with him for 20 years and proud to say so. He is a wonderful person who is very passionate about his interests to the point of expertise. A lot can be learned from this man, a truly great teacher and an exceptional role model regardless of age.

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