Battle Hopak as a form of fighting dances

Can we say that the dance is a martial art? Many will immediately remember the Brazilian capoeira, but not everyone knows that this is not the only dance with elements of the struggle. There is also the so-called combat hopak. He is very often compared with capoeira, in fact, according to philosophy, he is closer to a style like kung fu.

Combat Hopak is the art of combat, combining throws and blows with the plasticity of the dance of the hopak. Very often in this technique, grips and blocks are used, blows are applied with both feet and hands.

Not everyone knows that the gopak as a military philosophy and national martial art has been developing for 20 years. To date, fighting dances are very popular among young people involved in sports. About 7,000 children are regularly engaged in combat hopak schools in Ukraine. Trainers are very hopeful that from them in the future will turn out to be an excellent generation of defenders of the fatherland.

Views on this martial art

The first one says that the combat hopak is a Ukrainian combat system that originated in Zaporizhzhya Sich, where schools taught this art of combat along with reading and writing and playing musical instruments. But the revolution cut short the tradition of combat hopak, and only in 1985, Vladimir Pilate from Lviv decided to restore it. There is evidence that the man lived for many years in the East and, returning to Ukraine, was already a master of sports in karate. Pilate, who had extensive experience behind his shoulders, had a desire to found his own martial arts school. However, he was advised to return home and try to do it in Ukraine. For the foundation of the future art of battle Vladimir decided to take the movements of such folk dance as a hopak. He came up with the term "combat hopak". So, the first version says that this is the ancient Ukrainian martial art, which was revived with the support of the state enthusiasts. It is an integral part of the national culture of Ukraine. V. Pilat, the founder of the school, speaks about the combat hopak as a copyright style.

A second look at the Hopak, painted in ultra-nationalist tones, suggests that the roots of martial art go to arias or ancient ukraem. But it should be said that some modern Russian martial arts are also considered to have originated from Aryans or Hyperboreans. In all these arguments there is not enough sport, but a lot of patriotism.

The last view represents the Ukrainian combat hopak as a modern compilation of different elements of oriental fighting arts with dance movements of hopak and folklore of Ukraine. At the same time, the philosophy of oriental martial arts is very similar to the philosophy of fighting Ukrainian dance, but includes a little national supplement. Life, perceived as a battlefield, is given for the sake of fighting for justice, the ideals of honor, the Ukrainian state.

Combat fight

The duel is usually conducted in a circumscribed circle with a certain musical accompaniment, setting the overall emotional background of the competition. Only those who already have master's degrees can use the weapon in a dance-duel (this can be a sickle, a two-handed sword, etc.). As a rule, all competitions are held in the national costumes of Cossacks. Thus, they acquire immense entertainment and popularity among ordinary people who are not even familiar with the technique of combat.

Types

Combat Hopak has several types. There is an opportunity to go on sparring or show single exercises. When an athlete performs alone, it is more like a dance to music, in which a great emphasis is placed on demonstrating combat techniques. Sparring can take place both in an easy form, when the blows are only implied, and in a more risky one, in which the battle is going on in full force.

Levels of Excellence

All martial arts have mastery degrees. There are seven combat corpses. Three students - beginner (Zheltyak), third grade (Falcon), second rank (Hawk). There is an intermediate degree - Jura (first class). And three workshops - Kozak (MS), Character (MSMK) and Magus (deserved MC). Each degree has its own coat of arms.

The development of combat hopak in the capital of Ukraine

In Kiev, the formation of a war hopak begins in the mid-90's. With the active cooperation of students in 1997, the Battle Hopak School began to operate, the basis of which was the Kyiv National University named after M.Sh. T. Shevchenko.

For the first time in Kiev at the beginning of 2001, the All-Ukrainian Educational and Educational Seminar of Combat Hopak was held.

In the same year in South Korea, a presentation of Ukraine was held with the help of representatives of the Kiev school, which were included in the national team of the International Federation of Combat Hopak. They entered the top three winners and got the medal for third place. Also in 2001 in Kiev was organized demonstrative performance of the students of the Battle Hopak School, which struck all the spectators.

The long-standing Cossack martial art was gaining popularity among young people. Therefore, in the spring of 2002 a branch for the very young pupils is opened at the school named after M.Sh. Chornovil.

Since 2004, the combat program has been introduced into the curriculum of the University of Ukraine. The same year was the year of the Art Center Art Center "Hopak", acting in conjunction with the Kiev Federation of Battle Hopak. He organizes and conducts show programs, as well as demonstration performances, and not only in his country, but also abroad.

Directions of development

Depending on the nature and individual abilities, anyone who wants to learn a combat hopak can try his hand at various martial arts directions. Let us consider them in more detail.

• Wellness. This direction is very suitable for calm and peaceful people or for those who have health flaws, wishes to come to harmony of spirit and body.

• Folklore and art. It has an orientation towards people who love creativity, they want to take an active part in presentations, festivals, other demonstration performances.

• Athletic. Being the direction of persistent and active people, it seeks to establish and revive Cossack daring at various competitions, to establish the glory of Ukrainian chivalry and nobility.

In general, each of the directions gives his follower good physical training, knowledge of military equipment, the ability to behave in any situation. The growth of mastery raises the requirements for the student's dedication, self-discipline and perseverance. Only a few out of a hundred usually go to combat level.

When training a combat hopak, great attention is paid to the comprehensive development of the individual. Together with combat techniques, the Hopak people study music and singing, traditions and histories of the Ukrainian people, the basis of chivalry.