Kirkland School
Northgate School
History & Lineage
Aikido’s roots are Japanese. It was developed by Morihei Ueshiba in the early 20th century, drawing on older arts that focused on grappling, joint manipulation, and flowing movement.
Its philosophical aim was not only physical defense, but harmonizing attacker and defender, internal energy control, and building strong character. (Adapted to teach both body and spirit.)
Hap Ki Do emerged in Korea after World War II. Grandmaster Choi Yong‑Sool, having learned forms from Japanese Daitō‑ryū Aiki‑jūjutsu, brought those teachings back to Korea.
Over time, practitioners added striking, kicking, throws, and regional hybrid styles, making Hap Ki Do a more comprehensive self‑defense art combining soft and hard techniques.
At Oom Yung Doe, both styles are taught with respect to tradition. We emphasize control, awareness, and precision, not only powerful technique.
Whether you are young, older, new, or experienced, these styles offer paths for growth in strength, flexibility, and balance.
Aikido /
Hap Ki Do
"I used to go to a gym, but that got boring. Then I tried out this place and haven't regretted it for a second. The instructors -- patient, thorough and providing personalized instruction -- make sure everyone improves.
It's a unique mix of martial arts, self defense and mindfulness that challenges the brain as much as the body.
Highly recommend their adult classes and the women's only self defense class."
- Carolyn H. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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What It Develops
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Self‑Defense & Control:
You learn to control potentially dangerous situations using minimal force. Joint locks, wrist, elbow, shoulder control, pressure points. These allow you to defend effectively, even against larger opponents.
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Flexibility & Joint Health:
Movements stretch joints in ways most daily life does not. Shoulders, wrists, elbows, ankles get mobilized.
This helps with stiffness, increases range of motion and reduces risk of issues like arthritis and repetitive strain.
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Grip, Tendon & Ligament Strength:
Applying joint locks and holding positions builds strength in hands, forearms, wrists, and supporting connective tissues. This reinforces stability and protects joints even under stress.
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Balance, Timing & Body Awareness:
Because attacks and defenses require you to move in sync with an attacker’s motion (Aikido) or respond with strikes and counters (Hap Ki Do), your sense of distance, timing, and coordination improve dramatically.
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Calm & Mental Control:
Aikido especially requires relaxed presence, breathing control, and emotional regulation. Through practice you cultivate calm under pressure, focus, and the ability to stay centered in high tension situations.
About the Style
Aikido (Ai Ki Do) is a martial art centered on defense without harming the attacker.
Its goal is to flow with the attacker’s movement and energy (Ki), redirecting force rather than resisting it directly.
Movements are largely circular, soft, and continuous.
Hap Ki Do expands on this by combining joint manipulations, pressure points, throws, and strikes from hands and feet.
It uses both angular and circular motion, allowing practitioners to upset an opponent’s balance before applying locks or control techniques.
OOM YUNG DOE
Oom Yung Doe schools located in Kirkland, Northgate and San Diego are managed
as part of the Oom Yung Doe USA 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Donations made are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Our Federal Tax ID under the name Oom Yung Doe Kirkland is 82-2858274.
Kirkland
Northgate
© 2025 by Oom Yung Doe