Sun City residents Grandmaster Gedo Chang and his daughter, Master Laura Paarmann, are introducing Hapkido to the community.
Paarmann said, “Hapkido, a martial art, teaches kicks, punches, joint manipulation, pressure points, free fighting, throws, and meditation. All Hapkido skills are designed to subdue an opponent without causing serious injuries.”
The health benefits are numerous.
Chang said, “Hapkido is based on meditation. The practice decreases blood pressure.”
The training begins with relaxed breathing exercises and meditation.
Chang said, “Quiet, calm breathing helps the body to relax. Meditation will do the same for the mind.”
Chang lived until his early twenties in a mountain monastery in Chungnam Province, learning self-defense techniques from his father, a Buddhist monk. Chang was recognized as a master of Hapkido in 1964. He has earned a Hapkido 8th-degree black belt and a Tae Kwon Do 5th-degree black belt.
Paarmann has a 5th-degree Black Belt in Hapkido. She trained under her father for over 45 years. She is internationally known for Hapkido Seminars and has been conducting women’s self-defense seminars in the United States and the UK for the past 30 years.
Paarmann said, “Grandmaster Chang opened his school in Korea. In 1973, he came to the United States of America. He has taught throughout the USA. He opened his first U.S. school in Lombard, Chang’s Hapkido Academy. Chang’s Hapkido Academy had schools across America and expanded to England in 1993.”
Paarmann was the Head Instructor of Chang’s Hapkido Academy, which was in business for fifty years, till father and daughter decided to retire.
Chang said, “We hope to help residents learn to not only defend themselves but to conquer one’s biggest enemy: hatred, anxiety, and fear. Hapkido provides the mechanisms to conquer these emotions. Overcoming fear, which can be paralyzing, is very important. I hope to instill confidence in the participants that they can do a lot of things. If they believe it, they can do it.”
Participants come to learn self-defense techniques, some to condition mind and body, and some for physical discipline.
Chang said, “No matter what they first wish to do, they eventually realize that Hapkido is much more profound than they ever expected. Hapkido is more than physical health or self-defense techniques. The more important, part of Hapkido training is inner peace, wisdom, and discipline, which is what I try to teach. The classes can change your life, eliminate negativity until it becomes a habit, and stop suffering from stress.”
Chang also talks about pressure point techniques and how are they used in martial arts. Hapkido uses all the kicks and strikes and techniques are all aimed at pressure points.
Chang has authored five published books, is a columnist for a Korean newspaper, and is an international speaker.
Classes are offered on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Meadowview Lodge. A demonstration is planned on June 14 at 10:30 p.m. at the Pavilion. For more information, contact Laura Paarmann 630-607-4478, Register for class on line or at the Prairie Lodge.
