Sinmoo is a method of meditation and the maximizing of "Ki" Power development for your mind and body.  

Sinmoo draws upon Buddhism (Mind), Confucianism (Body) and Zen (Spirit).  

Buddhism moral training is the clean mind techniques; one must strive to balance good and bad feelings.  The network of feelings is controlled by your mind.  

Confucianism training teaches doing nothing in excess.  We are governed by the sense of touch and so Confucianism is associated with the body.  

Zen is the practice of long steady deep controlled breathing.  We build "Ki" power development through these techniques.  Zen is also connected with the senses.  

There are three laws of Sinmoo: 1) Stop feelings, calm down and relax.  2) Long steady deep controlled breathing, this empties the mind.  3) Stop the senses.  This makes the body strong.  When you are able to stop all three, stop the emotions, slow down the breath and stop the senses, then you will create a strong mind power for meditation and develop internal "Ki" power.  This is the key point to control all three areas.  

When trying to understand these concepts think of the whole meaning, the larger concept.  Combine the philosophies of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Zen into one. Then you will understand the whole meaning.  Three is one, one is three.  

There is one system of Korean martial arts that exists solely and strictly for self-defense, and that is Hapkido.  

In a self-defense situation, a Hapkido practitioner would stand his ground and wait for the assault.  As soon as the would-be attacker made their move, a soft circular style block would deflect the approaching blow.  Then in a series of counter-offensive techniques involving spinning kicks, back kicks, and roundhouse kicks, etc., the hapkidoiast would attempt to overwhelm their attacker.  So effective is this art that during the conflict in Vietnam, United States Green Berets were taught the skills of Hapkido.  

The practicioner's objective in counterattacks is to overwhelm their opponent with swift, strong and tremendous force.  

A hapkidoiast will usually avoid meeting an attack head on.  Instead they will step to the side and deflect the blow before going in with numerous counterattacks, taking full advantage of their opponent's motion.  

Because Hapkido is primarily for self defense purposes, it does not cater to patterns, forms, katas, or those imaginary shadow-boxing-type exercises seen in other martial arts.  

Extensive knowledge of pressure points and the body's vital area are also learned, the primary concept being to avoid being harmed while trying to take control over your opponent.  Because strength is not a critical factor in the art, Hapkido lends itself to people of all ages and both sexes.  

Sinmoo Hapkido brings together in harmony the physical and spiritual.  Physical training begins with Hapkido and at the higher level surpasses physical limitations through Sinmoo.  Sinmoo Hapkido is also a way of life.