The word "Hapkido" means the way of harmony and force, or the art of coordinated power.  As an art, it teaches self-confidence, self-discipline and, for when a fight is unavoidable, self-defense.  It seeks not to overpower an attacker with strength, but uses techniques that turn an attacker's own force back onto him or her self.

It is a complete and eclectic art with kicks and punches like karate, joint-locking techniques like Aikido, and throws like jiu-jitsu and Judo.  Unlike Judo and Karate, Hapkido is not a competitive art.  Hapkido focuses on the psychology of the street fighter making it a practical martial art for city dwellers.