History of Hwa Rang Do

The Hwarang movement was a Korean warrior corps that adhered to strict philosophical and moral codes. Most of the great military leaders of the Silla Dynasty had been Hwarang. Korean history records the Hwarang Warriors (Korean Silla Knighthood), as a group of aristocratic young men who gathered to study, play and learn the arts of war.

Though the Hwarang were not a part of the regular Silla army, their military spirit, their sense of loyalty to King and Nation, and their bravery and fighting prowess was legendary. Korean culture and martial arts of the period were strongly influenced and enriched by Hwarangdo, a military, educational and social organisation and noble youths of the Silla dynasty. The code of honour on which the Hwarang was based was loyalty to the nation, respect and obedience to one‚s patents, faithfulness to one‚s friend, courage in battle and avoidance of unnecessary violence and killing.

The Hwarang's most important role in the Silla Dynasty between approximately 57 BC - 935 AD is recorded as being their devotion to furthering the unity and well-being of the nation as a whole. They were highly literate and composed songs and performed dancing, also involving themselves in intellectual and political affairs.

The Silla youth did not remain Hwarang for life, and were not born into the class and its privileges. Koreans and practitioners of Korean martial arts may take special pride in the heritage of the Hwarang movement - a uniquely spiritual and physical training that has never been duplicated in Korea or anywhere else in the world.

Self Defence

The self-defence system involved in Hwarangdo is a combination of blocking and striking techniques using many parts of the body, but mainly focusing on powerful hand and foot techniques. Grabbing, throwing, wrestling and joint locking techniques combines with the powerful strikes create the while system which when applied in a self-defence situation becomes a highly effective mean so self-preservation.

Students of Hwarangdo begin their initial training with basic stances and movements designed allow the body to adjust to the new movement paths steadily. This minimise the chance of physical injury. The basic kicks and strikes are taught throughout the Yellow Belt levels, with emphasis placed on co-ordination, balance and flexibility.

Throughout the Blue Belt levels, the more advanced Self-defence lessons are enforced, training in coordination etc. Joint locks throws and takedowns are taught, with all members learning to take and opponent to the ground and\or finishing movements.

The Red Belt levels pertain to the advanced jumping kicks, weapons defence and other advanced self-defence techniques throughout the Red Belt levels, all techniques learnt to this stage are highly performed quickly, with purpose are very dangerous so the training of these techniques is always performed under the guidance of instructors to prevent injuries.

Lastly, Black Belts are expected to work hard from their basic training to become proficient in all areas of self-defence, The typical 1st Dan student should have a full understanding of the techniques they have learnt as a colour belt and mastery of these techniques are now their goals. Further advanced self defence techniques are added as the student becomes more and more proficient. Slowly they need to strike as a form of defence becomes less necessary and therefore the need to injuring during self-defence is less likely to occur. This is the optimum goal for the Hwarangdo Student, performing a high level of self-defence without injuring the attacking opponent.

Weapons training and weapons defence is also taught to high-level students

Personal Developments

The whole Hwarangdo system deals not only with the self defence aspects, but development of each individual student. Physical, Mental and Spiritual training occur throughout the progress of an Hwarangdo Practitioner.

Physical

Although attaining the ability to defend one's self against singular or multiple attackers is the primary goal of the Hwarangdo practitioner, the secondary benefit of health, strengths flexibility and co-ordination are also achieved through regular training session. All members are taught to strengthen and protect their bodies through the exercises involved in their training. Beginning each class and eventually each day with a warm up and stretching routine the Hwa Rang Do practitioner can look forward to a long health and active life.

Mental

Mental stimulation during training provides knowledge of the practicality of Martial arts, and by which mental development outside training can be continued. Constant stimulation of the mind in training and life, can lead us to greater success in all areas of the work force. Comradeship developed at training, builds strong relationships between different cultures and business levels, and advances self-confidence in person-to-person dealings.

Spiritual

The highest quality in an Hwarangdo student is defined as an Indomitable Spirit. Throughout an individuals training they will accomplish goals outside the normal spectrum of life. The paths to these achievements are wrought with challenges. Overcoming these challenges develops the spirit and therefore success in all areas of life will then be achievable thought each individuals beliefs in their own ability. This in turn gives access to their Indomitable Spriit allows them to rise to the challenge and surmount all obstacles.