The Principle of WHA (harmony)
In HapKiDo training there must exist a simultaneous harmonizing of mind, body, and spirit within one's environment. When all these elements act in harmony, techniques become fluid, continuous and instinctive. Every action becomes purposeful, perfectly linked to the moment of its existence. If you are truly in harmony with yourself and the world you may never need to fight physically or mentally.
Harmony is the most important element one should achieve in one's training. After one achieves harmony with oneself, the next requirement is to harmonize with one's opponent. Accomplishing this, one will find it quite easy to read the minds of others. Following this, learning to harmonize with the development of oneself and harmonizing with one's opponent, and the environment will help you to achieve great balance and greater ease in developing your techniques.
In HapKiDo training, harmony does not only apply to self-defense but also to one's whole life. This includes harmony of the body, harmony of the mind, harmony of the spirit and soul, harmony with one's work, harmony with one's life goals, harmony with one's personal relationships, family, etc. It takes constant practice, insight, and farsight to develop harmony in every area of one's life.
A canny warrior never provokes anyone,
and is never made to lose his/her temper.
A good fighter never confronts his enemy head-on
and those who know how to handle people do it humbly.
This comes from the virtue of not striving
and from knowing how to link with other people's energy.
Since time gone in the mists,
this has been the way to "pair up" with Heaven.
-Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching, Chapter 68