Master Laura Paarmann is responsible for introducing hapkido to the community. The classes have expanded and have been adapted for seniors.
For many, the image of martial arts is one of high-flying kicks and explosive power, but for a growing number of seniors, the Korean art of hapkido is a preferred path to aging with strength and purpose. Hapkido emphasizes coordinated power instead of brute force, making it uniquely accessible to older adults. Emphasizing circular movements and redirecting an opponent’s energy allows practitioners to maintain effective self-defense skills without undue stress on aging joints.
Beyond the physical, hapkido offers a comprehensive approach to wellness, including deep breathing exercises and meditative focus to foster mental clarity, plus a refreshed sense of confidence.
Paarman explained, “We have reimagined our hapkido for seniors to emphasize long-term health and mobility, focusing on balance-enhancing movements and low-impact joint locks that build functional strength without the strain of high-impact falls.”
Paarman has four students who received their yellow belt on March 28: Craig Paarmann, Laura’s husband, Janice Bozzelli, Bill Nicholson, and John Davies.
Paarman said, “To reach yellow belt rank, there is no required time limit for testing, everyone is different. Some people might learn quicker, some take longer. I work with everyone on their own abilities.”
Considering his experience, Davies said, “Laura is an exceptional instructor who tailors her approach for each student. By fostering a difficult yet helpful environment, she encourages us to expand our mental capacities. Thanks to her support, I’m pushing my own boundaries and rediscovering skills I thought I’d lost. It’s been incredibly liberating.”
Paarman stresses that the hapkido philosophy is founded on adjustability.
“If one path is blocked, many other options are explored to achieve the same result,” she said.
Paarman has a 5th-degree black belt in hapkido. She trained under her father for over 45 years. Her father, grandmaster Gedo Chang, was recognized as a master of Hapkido in 1964. He has earned 8th-degree black belts in hapkido and 5th-degree black belts in taekwondo.
Echoing the emphasis on mental focus, Craig added, “The true power of Hapkido lies in calmness. You simply can’t flow through a technique if your mind is racing.”
Hapkido is far more than a method of self-defense; it is a discipline that depends on mastering one’s own mind. At its core, the practice emphasizes that genuine strength comes from a state of calmness and steady concentration. By maintaining calm, an individual can neutralize aggression without being consumed by it, redirecting an opponent’s energy with precision. This mental clarity allows for the fluid, effortless movements that define the art.
Bozzelli said, “Hapkido has given me a new kind of confidence. I’ve learned to truly walk, with my feet apart, creating a wider, more stable stance for my entire body. If you walk with your feet too close together, you lose your center of gravity and become more prone to being off-balance.”
Laura said, “Hapkido is centered on your core, not just its strength, but its movement. Think of it like an hourglass; your upper and lower body are balanced and distinct, yet they both flow through one powerful, narrow point of connection.”
Craig said, “Hapkido is about more than merely physical movement; it’s about engaging the mind and sharpening your focus to achieve a total harmony between body and spirit.”
As these four students prepare to tie their new yellow belts, they prove that age is not a barrier to learning; it is simply a different starting line.
Classes are held at Meadow View Lodge, Studio A, during the following times: Mondays at 4:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. Residents can register for classes online through the Sun City Community Association of Huntley website or in person at the Prairie Lodge front desk.
