[Chiron]

I pretty much agree with Kuri and jvernacchio. I think Hapkido is ok, certainly better than TKD for self-defense, but it would be far from my first option. That's going by my experience with those two arts (2 hours a day, 5 days a week for a year) comparing it to my experience with other arts (Muay Thai, boxing, Kali, Judo and Jujitsu) and actual street fights. Regardless of the art, it sounds like your school sucks. I wouldn't give it 6 more months. If it isn't impressing you by now then it's not going to. Don't waste your time with it when you can go and practice something else. You would even be better off joining a local boxing gym than continuing with that school.


I can't think of any self-defense system that is effective without sparring. The idea that it doesn't have much value is something I strongly disagree with. So do the vast majority of athletes in martial arts who actually apply the art (boxing, MMA, muay thai, etc). Sparring isn't exactly like an actual fight, but it's as close as you'll safely get so you should do it because there is a lot you can learn from it. I also agree with Kuri that at least some sparring should be full force.

Most katas are a waste of time. They don't teach muscle memory well. Look at the mechanics of most katas and they don't mimic how you actually move and execute in a fight.