If you happen to be passing the Bangalow RSL Hall on a Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday morning (or Wednesday afternoon), you may be curious about the sounds coming from inside. If you peek through the door, you’ll find people of all ages and backgrounds, dressed in black and white, practicing deep breathing, stretching, bending, and even falling—all part of a centuries-old practice known as Hapkiyusul.
Hapkiyusul is an ancient discipline that focuses on strengthening muscles, enhancing cardiovascular health, and teaching valuable self-protection techniques. It’s a holistic system that combines a variety of exercises and methods designed to improve both physical fitness and overall well-being. While its exact origins remain somewhat mysterious, it’s believed that the practice began in India before making its way through China, Korea, and Japan, ultimately returning to South Korea in 1946, where it became more formally documented.
The system was passed down through a long line of masters, with the most recent custodians being three Korean and Japanese practitioners. It was from the last of these masters that the discipline was handed down to Jarrod Taylor, who now teaches Hapkiyusul classes in Bangalow. Recognised as the highest-ranked practitioner of the discipline, Jarrod’s journey is truly remarkable.
Raised in Rosebank and Lismore, Jarrod developed an early interest in Hapkido and Asian culture, particularly Korean traditions. His passion led him to South Korea in 1999, where he began studying both Hapkido and the Korean language at university. In 2002, he met Kim Yun Sang, the final custodian of Hapkiyusul, and began rigorous training with him, practicing twice daily for nearly two decades. Upon Kim’s passing, Jarrod was bestowed with a rare honour—one of only two 9th Dan ranks ever awarded by Kim—as well as being informally named his successor. In 2023, Jarrod and his family returned to Australia, where he began teaching the discipline in the Northern Rivers, including in Bangalow, Lismore, Bexhill, and Murwillumbah.
While Hapkiyusul had been practiced locally for some time, Jarrod’s expertise was needed to ensure its proper instruction. The 90-minute classes are open to people of all ages and fitness levels. When many think of martial arts, they envision high-impact moves like karate kicks or dramatic throws. However, Hapkiyusul is different. Classes begin with 45 minutes of stretching and cardiovascular exercises, followed by paired exercises that use the partner’s body to enhance strength, flexibility, and joint mobility. This gentle, methodical approach provides a way to improve muscle tone, strengthen connective tissue, and increase overall body flexibility. In addition, students learn simple yet effective self-protection techniques—not dramatic moves, but practical methods for defending oneself in real-life situations.
A unique aspect of Hapkiyusul is its mental discipline. Every class involves memorising a series of movements, which is excellent for brain health, especially as we age. The practice’s mental focus helps to sharpen memory and cognitive function.
As someone in their 70s with average fitness, I’ve been practicing Hapkiyusul for almost a year. It has had a positive impact on my fitness and general health, and best of all, I haven’t experienced any injuries.
Murray Hand