Berkeley, California—21 March 2007—Marc Tedeschi, an internationally respected martial arts master and author of notable books, recently released a new series of Hapkido manuals summarizing promotion requirements and techniques associated with specific Hapkido color-belt and black-belt ranks. Copublished by Hapkido West, these manuals are intended to be used as a quick reference for techniques already learned; as a study guide for testing preparation; and as an aid to serious, long-term training. These manuals are not stand-alone textbooks, but are meant to be used in conjunction with Mr. Tedeschi’s landmark 1136-page Hapkido book. These manuals, and the 1136-page book upon which they are based, have been organized based on historical Hapkido models, the practices of mainstream Hapkidoists during the past 50-plus years, and Mr. Tedeschi's own innovations. This teaching system integrates both traditional and modern approaches to the art, and consists of the 1200-plus core techniques that typically define Hapkido. Collectively, Mr. Tedeschi's books and manuals constitute a comprehensive curriculum encompassing all ranks, from novice to master. Further information on these manuals can be found on Hapkido West's website (www.hapkidowest.org).

“These manuals will be of immense value to our students in that they define our curriculum, and outline a clear course of study by which students can more easily learn this complex and varied martial art,” said Philip Atkins, Hapkido West's secretary. “We view these manual as an important adjunct to qualified instruction; not a replacement for it.”

“Practitioners who are visually-oriented learners will find these manuals to be invaluable,” said Neil Johnson, a Hapkido West board member. “All the required techniques for a given rank can be easily perused, and visually replayed in one's mind, without having to read through complex technical explanations.”

“These manuals are very affordable and quite functional, said Erik Medeiros, Hapkido West's treasurer. “They were meant to be used, not sit on a shelf. They are sturdy, can easily be taken out on the mat during training, and the pages lie flat when opened. It is also very easy to cross-reference techniques to the 1136-page Hapkido book, if you need more explanation.”

“When I first began training in Hapkido, it was primarily an oral tradition. Very little was written down and few books existed. If you couldn't remember techniques, that was that,” said Marc Tedeschi, Hapkido West's president. “I wrote these manuals for a very simple reason: I wanted to make it easier for people to acquire the vast range of skills that define Hapkido. When you are dealing with a martial art of this complexity, a clearly defined curriculum is vital to motivating and retaining students.”

Praise for the 1136-page
Hapkido: Traditions, Philosophy, Technique

“This book is in my experience the most comprehensive ever written on a single martial art. It is superbly organized, highly informative, and contains thousands of outstanding photographs. An authoritative presentation of basic principles and techniques, integrated with modern innovations, makes this work indispensable to martial artists of virtually any style.“
– PROFESSOR WALLY JAY

“Within minutes of opening Marc Tedeschi’s new book, Hapkido, you know you have your hands on an exceptional work . . . enormous, comprehensive, detailed, beautifully illustrated . . . It covers so much ground and its material is so well presented that no martial arts library will again be complete without it.”
– JOURNAL OF ASIAN MARTIAL ARTS

“The best martial arts book ever published . . . a monumental accomplishment, nothing less.”
– IRONCRANE.COM

About Hapkido West
Established in January 2007 under the leadership of Master Marc Tedeschi, Hapkido West's core mission is to promote the practice and instruction of Hapkido, both locally and internationally. Hapkido West offers affordable high-quality martial arts training to a broad segment of the general public and seeks to improve educational standards, build goodwill and fellowship, and increase public awareness of the beneficial role of martial arts practice in one’s life.

What is Hapkido?
Practiced in over 100 countries, Hapkido possesses one of the most complex, unique, and varied arsenals of self-defense techniques to be found in any martial art. Its skills encompass all major martial categories: strikes, kicks, blocks, avoiding movements, holds, joint locks, chokes, throws, breakfalls, tumbling, ground fighting, weapons, meditation, and healing. Although combatives are an important aspect of training, Hapkido’s ultimate objective is the harmonization of body, mind, and spirit; the perfection of human character; the cultivation of social responsibility; and the empowerment of self.

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Press Contact:
Philip Atkins
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