Respect
The study of HapKiDo begins and ends with respect. Respect becomes a solid part of mind and spirit. The student learns respect for the instructor and fellow student. At the beginning of a practice session, students pay respect to each other by bowing. This is the same as saying, “I respect you. We will train and practice very hard together.” At the end of the practice, students bow again, thus silently thanking partners and instructors for a good session.
An instructor teaches students with an open heart, with sincerity. As students progress and begin to help teach their juniors, their hearts also open, and they teach with love and sympathetic understanding. The younger student receives teaching with gratitude and respect.
Respect developed from the study of HapKiDo carries over to the student’s life outside the DoJang. They respect fellow students and they respect others. One learns to understand others’ problems and to sympathize with their mistakes. The HapKiDo practitioner becomes tolerant. Ultimately the greatest and most rewarding lesson learned about respect is the true and deep respect of self.