HAN MU DO Association Singapore - Home of Korean Martial Arts

HAN MU DO in Korean means The Korean Martial Way.The Way means the Korean Philosophy of Han.The philosophy is incorporated in the Korean fighting strategies.

The Han Philosophy
Balance between high and low positions.
Balance between oneself and one's surrounding
An optimistic attitude towards life.
Balance in intellectual and physical development.

The HAN MU DO system is created by world renowned Korean Martial Art historian and Grandmaster of Hapkido , Kuk Sool , Taekwondo and Yudo , Dr.He-Young Kimm, Founder and President of The World Han Mu Do Association.

Martial Art Strategy of Han Mu Do
Hanmudo technical defensive techniques are based on the Water Principle,Circle Principle, 9 direction movements and natural body movements.Its mental strategy is control of breath and mind,"Yu Shim Kang Kwan Han"(gentle mind strong fist) and the highest level "Mu Shim Mu Kwan" (empty mind empty fist).By being fluid and "gentle",the opponent's strong offense is penetrated and enveloped.The aim of Hanmudo defence is to bring the opponent to be immobilized on the ground where his kicks and punches have no effect,and to lock or choke him out.

Hanmudo Training
There are altogether 12 levels of rank training and testing before a student of Hanmudo achieves his 1st Dan Black Belt.
In each level,there are 6 divisions:
Philosophy of ancient Korean Masters
Ki Training(Internal Strength and mental training)
Striking and Kicking
Ho Shin Sul(Self Defence techniques)-Joint locking,pressure point striking,throwing,choking,ground techniques
Weapons-Long pole, short stick, knife, Korean sword, rope or belt, cane, fan
Free Sparring(Dae Ryun)

From 1st dan onwards , higher levels are taught - combination , weapons sparring , ground fighting strategy, jumping kicks.

Hanmudo Association Singapore

Dr.Dennis Chua is the Chief Instructor for Hanmudo Association Singapore.Besides teaching Hanmudo and Hapkido,he is a Dental Surgeon in private practice.He is trained directly by Grandmaster Kimm in the US and Korea,and holds a 6th Dan Black Belt in Hanmudo ,5th Dan Black belt in Hapkido (Global Hapkido Federation), 5th Dan Black Belt in Hapkido (Korea KiDo Association) and 1st Dan in Taekwondo (Kukkiwon WTF).With Grandmaster Kimm's advice to him to have Hanmudo as his major martial art and to learn other martial arts as his minor subjects , in order to develop an open mind , Dr.Chua also trains in Chen and Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan and Seven Star Praying Mantis Wushu under Master Foo Shang Wee,a 20th generation Chen Tai Chi Master under China's Chen Tai Chi Grandmaster Zhu Tian Cai.Dr.Chua is certified by Master Foo Shang Wee to teach Chen Tai Chi and Praying Mantis Wushu. Dr.Chua also trains in Judo and Traditional Japanese Jujitsu with Jujitsu Kobudo Singapore Chief Instructor Shihan Stephen Chee.
Dr.Chua is the Singapore and South -East Asia representative for The World Han Mu Do Association. He is also appointed by Dr.Kimm to be the Singapore Representative for the Korea KiDo Association.He is appointed by Grandmaster Han Jung Do to be the Singapore Representative for Global Hapkido Federation. Dr.Chua is also a member instructor of Karate For Christ International.

Biodata of Dr.Chua's Martial Art Background and History of Hanmudo Association Singapore
1978-Dr.Chua started Taekwondo at Orchard YMCA under Master John Nah ,Master Edmund Law,Master Chia Pee Soon and Master Wilfred Tan.
1986 Achieved 1st Dan Black Belt Singapore Taekwondo Federation(WTF)
1986-1990 TKD Assistant Instructor for YMCA Orchard and SAFRA Tampines.Coach for Orchard YMCA Poomse TKD Team.Team achieved silver medal in Poomse in 1997 Singapore TKD Nationals.
1987-1988 Studied Chen Man Cheng Yang Style Tai Chi at Sin Pin Tai Chi Association in Singapore.
1989 Started Hapkido under Sambup Hapkido Association Chief Instructor Dr.Choi and Asst.Instructor Master Kim Duc Soo (8th Dan Korea Hapkido Federation)
1991-1995 Trained in USA by 10th Dan Hapkido Black Belt Grandmaster Myung Kwang Sik (President of World Hapkido Federation,and disciple of Grandmaster Yong Sul Choi,Father of Hapkido)
1993 Tested under GM Myung Kwang Sik. Achieved 1st Dan Black Belt World Hapkido Federation under GM Myung Kwang Sik.Dr.Chua held appointment as Vice- President of Sambup Hapkido Association and Asst.Hapkido Instructor for Sambup Hapkido Association.
1995 Tested by GM Myung and achieved 2nd Dan Hapkido Black Belt (World Hapkido Federation)from GM Myung Kwang Sik.
1995 Separated from Sambup Hapkido Association and started own school,Hapkido Shim Do Kwan with some Sambup Hapkido seniors-Paul Tan ,Lau Pang Seng,James Kwong,Tong Wai Cho,Siow Wei Ying.
1995 Affiliated with Grandmaster He-Young Kimm (President of World Han Mu Do Association).Invited GM Kimm to Singapore for 1st GM KImm Hapkido and Hanmudo Singapore Seminar.Tested under GM Kimm and achieved 1st and 2nd Dan Hapkido Black Belt(Korea KiDo Association).Paul Tan and Tong Wai Cho received 1st Dan Hapkido (Korea KiDo Assoaciation)from recommendation by Dr.Chua to GM Kimm.
1996 Tested by Grandmaster He-Young Kimm (Founder of Han Mu Do for 1st and 2nd Dan Hanmudo and achieved 1st and 2nd Dan Hanmudo Black Belt,at Han Do Won (World Han Mu Do Association Headquarters),Baton Rouge ,Louisiana,USA
1996 Introduced Hanmudo to Singapore.Converted his school Hapkido Shim Do Kwan to Han Mu Do Shim Do Kwan,a full member of the World Han Mu Do Association.Appointed by GM Kimm as Singapore and South-East Asia Representative for The World Han Mu Do Association.Registered Hanmudo as a recognised new martial art in Singapore with Goverment body (Martial Arts Control Unit,Ministry of Home Affairs)
1997 Tested by GM Kimm for 3rd Dan Hanmudo in Korea.Achieved 3rd Dan Hanmudo.Lau Pang Seng and James Kwong also tested in Korea and received 1st Dan Hanmudo,the first generation Singapore Hanmudo students of Dr.Chua to receive Hanmudo 1st Dan Black Belts.Dr.Chua also received 3rd Dan Global Hapkido Federation from Grandmaster Han Jung Do,9th Dan (President of Global Hapkido Federation and Korea Han Mu Do Association General Secretary).GM Han appointed Dr.Chua as Representative in Singapore for Global Hapkido Federation.Dr.Chua was a Silver medallist for Knife Ho Shin Sul ( Knife Self Defence) at the 1st World Hapkido and Hanmudo Games,Korea.
1998 Dr.Chua tested Gary Darwin for Hanmudo 1st Dan, a 2nd generation black belt.
1998 Dr.Chua interviewed over TV on Hanmudo on program "Good Morning Singapore".Conducted Self Defence seminar for AWARE Women Association.Hanmudo AWARE Seminar featured in Singapore's main newspaper,The Straits Times as "AWARE members learn Korean art of self defence HANMUDO"
1999 Hanmudo Shim Do Kwan changed to Hanmudo Association Singapore.Approved by Registry of Societies and Martial Art Control Unit(MACU)as a legitimate martial art association.First Presdent is Dr.Dennis Chua.Committee members -Edmund Ng,Edmund Tam, Lim Teck Meng, Winston Wong, Siow Wei Ying,Cai Du Cui, Zainuddin Bin Musli,Jo Ng Chng Wei ,Susanna Sarita Revi
1999 Brought Singapore Hanmudo Team to take part in 2nd World Hapkido And Hanmudo Games,Seoul,Korea.Guided Singapore team to win 2 golds,4 silvers and 1 bronze.Dr.Chua won Gold medals in Forms and Counter Throw defence competition.Was Sparring Coach for his student Edmund Tam ,Dae Ryun (Sparring) Silver medallist.Edmund Tam -silver for Forms,silver for Counter Throw.Girls Jo Ng Chng Wei -silver for Forms,Susanna Sarita Revi - Bronze for Forms.
1999 GM Kimm presented plaque to Dr.Chua as "Best Outstanding International Instructor For Hanmudo" for 1999 at the 2nd GM Kimm Singapore Hanmudo Seminar.Dr.Chua's 3rd generation students Edmund Tam,Jerald Tay,Siow Wei Ying,and Paul Ng tested by GM Kimm at the Dec 1999 Singapore Seminar and received 1st Dan Hanmudo Black Belt.
1999 Dr.Chua and Hanmudo Singapore members accompanied Grandmaster Kimm to 1st Hanmudo exhibition and seminar in Malacca,Malaysia.
2000 Tested for 4th Dan by GM Kimm in Han Do Won (World Han Mu Do Association Headquarters)at Baton Rouge ,Louisiana ,USA.GM Kimm invited Dr.Chua to conduct a Taichi Chi Gong Shih Ba Shih Seminar at the USA Hanmudo Seminar,Han Do Won.
2000 Attended the Taichi Chi Gong Shih Ba Shih Instructor Course conducted by People's Association Singapore.Tested and passed as Certified Tai Chi Chi Gong Shih Ba Shih Instructor.
2000 Started Chen Tai Chi and Praying Mantis Wushu under Master Foo Shang Wee,20th Generation Chen Tai Chi disciple from Grandmaster Zhu Tian Chai of Chen Jia Gou (Chen Village,origin of all Taichi),China.
2001 Hanmudo featured twice on TV on the program "All in the Body" and "Street Smart".Took part in demo at big health exhihition EZY Health at East Coast Park.
2001 Hanmudo Singapore members were filmed performing Hanmudo for part of the health program "Living Pulse 2" produced by Discovery Channel.The program was on Stem cells combating cancer cells.Hanmudo was used as analogy of warrior Stem Cells.
2002 1st Singapore Hanmudo Nationals,at Hanmudo Singapore HQ ,Cairnhill Community Club,Dec 2002.Grand champion was Jeffrey Fleury.Chief Referee was Dr.Chua,asst.referees were Jujitsu Shihan Stephen Chee,Judo Sensei Kong Fook Wai and Wong Kah Heng.
2001 Dr.Chua started learning Judo and Jujitsu (World Jujitsu Federation) under 6th Dan Jujitsu Shihan Stephen Chee Chief Instructor of Jujitsu Kobudo Singapore and President of Gentle Life Sports Centre.Joint Jujitsu Hanmudo Seminar at Tampines SAFRA Resort,Dec.2001.Dr.Chua conducted Hanmudo Seminar for Jujitsu and Judo members.
2002 Shihan Giovanni Bartoletti , President of The World Jujitsu Kobudo Federation, visited Hanmudo Association Singapore and conducted Jujitsu seminar.Shihan Stephen Chee and Shihan Wong Tuan Seng(President of Shitoryu Karate Federation Singapore) invited Dr.Chua to conduct Hanmudo Seminar and Shihan Bartoletti to conduct jujitsu seminar to Karate members.Hanmudo Singapore Demo team was invited to demo for the Handicap Welfare Association Concert at Marina Bay.Guest of Honour was Minister Mr.Chan Soo Sen
2003 June.Master Ngiaw Wee Sun ,7th Dan Chief Instructor of Global TKD(GTF) Malaysia(Kuantan) and vice president of GTF Malaysia,invited Dr.Chua and Hanmudo Singapore Demo Team to Kuantan to perform a Hanmudo demo at the Kuantan GTF Open.
2003 Dec.3rd GM Kimm Singapore Seminar.Dr.Chua was tested by GM Kimm and achieved 5th Dan Black Belt Hanmudo and 4th Dan Hapkido Korea Kido Hwe.Dr.Chua's 4th generation students,Lim Teck Meng ,Jeffrey Fleury and Winston Wong were tested by GM Kimm and achieved 1st Dan Hanmudo Black Belt.
2005 May 18th.Dr.Chua received 5th Dan Hapkido from President of Global Hapkido Federation,Grandmaster Han Jung Do.Hapkido Shim Do Kwan,the Hapkido arm of Hanmudo Association Singapore,is recognised as the official representative for Global Hapkido Federation in Singapore.Dr.Chua is appointed Singapore chief instructor for Global Hapkido Federation.
2006,30th Sept.-10 Oct. Dr.Dennis Chua and his black belt student,Jeffrey Fleury,together with Chen Tai Chi master,Master Foo Shang Wee, were invited by Grandmaster Han Jung Do,President of Global Hapkido Federation,to participate in The World Martial Arts Festival in Chung Ju ,Korea.
2007 March Dr.Chua started first Chen Tai Chi class at Melbourne University, Melbourne , Australia.
2007 March Dr.Chua started first Hanmudo class at Melbourne University , Melbourne , Australia
2008 January. Dr.Chua tested by GM Kimm for 6th Dan at Han Do Won ,USA.Received 6th Dan Black Belt Hanmudo from GM Kimm. Also received 5th Dan Black Belt Hapkido from Korea Kido Association.
January 2008.Registered Shim Do Kwan Martial Art Institute of Australia with Han Do Won.
January 2008 William Toh tested and obtained 1st Dan Black Belt in Hanmudo.Tan Chuan Yang tested and obtained 2nd Dan Black Belt in Hanmudo. William recommended by Dr.Chua to Dr.Kimm for International Hanmudo Instructor certification and receives International Hanmudo Instructor certificate from Dr.Kimm.
February 2008.Dr.Chua appoints Master William Toh as international certified Hanmudo Instructor in Singapore.
April 2008.Dr.Chua appoints Race Ramdora as Hanmudo Shim Do Kwan Australia Instructor and representative in Melbourne.

Mission Statement
Dr.Chua's purpose in teaching martial art is to help individuals find their balance in life.In his case , he sees Hanmudo training as helping him find mental and physical balance, and his relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in finding spiritual balance.Dr.Chua srtongly believes learning values in traditional martial arts and having a strong base in training traditional martial arts will help an individual adapt well to any martial arts and be a winner in life.

Hanmudo Association Singapore members took part in The World Hapkido Games Championship 1999 in Korea and won 2 golds , 4 silvers and 1 bronze.

FAQs on Hanmudo
What is the differnce between Hanmudo and Hapkido?

Hanmudo is like a cousin of Hapkido.To a non-hapkidoist, Hanmudo looks like Hapkido.But when a hapkidoist practice Hanmudo,he can see the difference.
Hapkido compared to Hanmudo is more aggressive and harder in nature.Hanmudo uses the same philosophy as Han Tae Keuk (Korean Tai Chi).When a lock is applied in Hapkido,it is followed with a forward motion to throw or bring down the attacker.In Hanmudo,a pulling action coupled with a downward motion is used.The purpose of this is to allow smooth follow up movements to other techniques.Hanmudo motion follows the infinity sign (Moo Han Dae) in blocking and attacking movements.
Hand techniques of Hanmudo also differs from Hapkido.Hanmudo uses hand techniques from both soft Korean arts like Kuk Sul , Sundo and Han Tae Keuk and hard arts like Taekwondo,Tang Soo Do,Ship Phal Ki(Korean Wushu)) and Sun Mu Do . Most of its handstrikes are open palm. Hapkido uses handstrikes from hard styles like Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do.
Hanmudo locks are taken from both Hapkido and Kuk Sul.Kuksul locks utilise a bigger circle like in Wushu, whereas Hapkido uses a smaller circle as in Daito-ryu Jujitsu.In Hanmudo, small circle and big circle locks are used depending on the situation.
Ki training in Hapkido is basically stationary, either sitting or standing.In Hanmudo, Ki training starts from lying down, progress to sitting, standing and then to moving meditation.
A unique aspect of Hanmudo not seen in other martial arts is the mental and physical coordination during training. A Hanmudoist has to mentally kihap (Ki yell) "Yu Shin Kang Kwan Han" to coordinate with the certain technique he is doing ,so as to let his mind "move" his techniques.
Hanmudo weapon training starts in early stages of training,whereas in Hapkido,weapon training is at higher grades.Hanmudo weapon forms are taken from Korea's oldest martial art text,Muye Dobo Tong Ji.
Sequence of Hanmudo techniques are organised in such a way that there is continuity between each and every technique,so as to easily remember and use them.Each technique learnt in a particular situation can be adapted for usage in any other situation.Each technique also easily flows into another technique.Hapkido arrangement of techniques depends on the kwon's (school)founder,so each hapkido kwon's arrangement can be different from the other.Hence there is difficulty remembering the order of techniques.
A unique aspect of Hanmudo is its forms,or Hyung Sae. Hanmudo forms movements follow the order of techniques learnt. The types of forms start with forms with hard movements, then progress to the forms with hard and soft movements and finally those with soft movements.Some Hapkido schools do not have forms.
Hanmudo training in character development follows those of ancient Korean warriors of the Koguryo Dynasty called Sun Bi( or Sun Bae).The main emphasis is on development of Penmanship(education)and Swordsmanship(Martial Art).This philosophy is not found in Hapkido.