In 1983-1984 Dojunim Ji, Han Jae founded Sinmoo Hapkido Martial Arts in the San Francisco Bay Area. His art has spread across continents and impacted thousands of students around the globe. A dedicated few of his top disciples continue to insure that his legacy and art live well on into the future.

Over the years, Dojunim taught thousands of students around the world. Beyond his instruction in powerful self-defense and kicking techniques, he also emphasized mediation, philosophy, ki energy development and revival techniques as essential elements of his system. Dojunim was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge and experience, and lived a remarkable life, from serving as a high-ranking government official and personal body guard in Korea’s Blue House, to enduring imprisonment as a political prisoner, and gaining international respect as the leading figure in his art. His expertise spans countless subjects, and nearly all of his students attest that whenever they were with him, they were always introduced to something new.

With no clear successor to Sinmoo Hapkido, and no individual possessing a complete understanding of his entire system or matching his depth of experience, the art has naturally spread among his senior students. Each carries a portion of his teachings, some more, some less, depending on their time and circumstances of training.

Through the years, students trained with Dojunim at different times and under varied conditions. A few had the rare opportunity to study daily with him during his early years teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area. Many received or requested private training. Others participated in intensive 10-day instructor courses, while some attended weekly, once a year or every few years seminar courses. As a result, today’s senior instructors may teach slightly different from one another. However, the core of the art remains the same—its philosophy, its movement, and the fundamental principles that guide every technique are shared across all schools. What differs is simply the method of instruction and the specific techniques chosen to express those same timeless principles.

Dojunim recognized the unique strengths and natural tendencies of each of his individual senior students. To some, he offered deeper insight into the precision of joint locks and the techniques of throwing. To others, he emphasized the power and grace of kicking, the discipline of mediation, ki energy development and philosophical study. Yet, regardless of the focus emphasized, every lesson reflected a vital aspect of the living art of Sinmoo Hapkido united in spirit, purpose, and tradition.

Why Sinmoo?

As time passed, Dojunim came to understand that only a few people could dedicate their entire lives to practice as he once did. He also noticed that many Hapkido students were focusing heavily on the physical side of the art, overlooking the equally important mental and spiritual aspects. To bring balance back to his teaching, he introduced Sinmoo Hapkido in 1984.

In Korean, Sin (Shin) represents the higher mind and spirit—the elevated self that emerges when body, mind, and spirit are in harmony. Moo simply means martial art. Together, Sinmoo Hapkido is often described as “a martial art of the higher mind and spirit.” This evolution marked a turning point, shifting the focus from purely physical training to a path that also nurtures inner strength, awareness, and harmony. “The three are one, one is three theory”.

 The risk of losing the foundation

One of the quotes for which Dojunim is best known is, “I teach you Hapkido, and you make it your own Hapkido.” This reflects his belief that each practitioner should adapt the art to their individual body type, abilities, and understanding. While this concept encourages personal growth, it also carries the risk of diluting his carefully developed system. Often, in martial arts, students become eager to discard or alter techniques they find unfamiliar or question in effectiveness. Those who remove steps or blend Sinmoo Hapkido with other arts risk losing the very details that make it unique, truly effective and traditional. Thus, while there should be freedom to explore and personalize one’s practice, it must remain within clear parameters to ensure it continues to embody the essence of Sinmoo Hapkido and not become entirely something else.

A few of Dojunim’s devoted students have taken upon themselves to honor his legacy, recognizing that no single person has fully inherited the depth of their teacher’s knowledge. To advance and preserve his art, they understand the need to foster a culture of openness and collaboration, one where knowledge is shared freely and perspectives are united.

In this spirit of friendship and respect, these instructors, each from different walks of life, need to come together to create an open forum dedicated to discussing, developing, and guiding the future of the art they hold dear. This gathering is not meant to be exclusive but ever-growing, welcoming new instructors and masters who share the same commitment to keeping Dojunim’s teachings alive for generations to come.

SINMOO/SHIN YONG DO MARTIAL ARTS MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to educate individuals to reach their highest potential physically, mentally, and spiritually through the practice of Sinmoo/Shin Yong Do. We are dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Dojunim Ji, Han Jae, honoring his traditions and philosophy, and fostering global leadership. We strive to provide unwavering support, knowledge, and tools for personal growth, unity, and camaraderie within our martial arts community.