Essay writing assignments for dan candidates - Ben in Belgium
■ What is the essence of martial arts ?
Through the training of Martial Arts you can achieve and accomplish more than just defending oneself. In a lot of branches of the arts, the essence lays on the aspect of defending yourself against an opponent, which of course is not wrong but it is more than that. I believe it’s essential to put meaning and understanding in de movements you make. When you make a punch, kick of cut in whichever martial art, the intent behind the movement is crucial. That being said, a practitioner of Haedong Kumdo must always be aware of his intent behind a block, cut or even behind the drawing of the sword. The meaning must always be clear for the student of martial arts.
For me, this was just the beginning of my martial arts adventure. After years of training Hapkido and Haedong Kumdo, the meaning was not the only thing driving me to go forward. In Hapkido as well as in Haedong Kumdo you become one with not only the sports, but also with the environment and the Korean culture. In Kumdo in particular you become one with the sword. The flow running through your body will flow through your sword as it becomes an attachment of your body. The energy you can create from within yourself is wild and free and, by lac of a better word, unbalanced as it comes and goes. But containing that energy and learning to use it is the key to success. Not only in martial arts but in life itself. So through focus and training, discipline and hard work, being humble and never to give up, the essence of martial arts is to become one with yourself!
■ In your personal opinion, what is the most important part and the favorite one in Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu HK for you?
I guess you can say this answer leans on a possible answer for question two. My favorite part is the addition of an extra sword. It’s like a whole new dimension that has opened my eyes. The double sword forms don’t only make things more challenging but they’re also unique around the world.
As for my opinion on the most important part in the Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu style of Haedong Kumdo is the continues flow through every, and I mean every single move. When you make a single cut, a lightning cut, complete a Ssang(su) Kumbup form, … it all has one beginning, one end and between those two a continues flow. The techniques are so well designed and developed that every move flows into another. I believe this is one of the most important aspects when learning to master the techniques. Following that flow, leading/channeling your energy and being one with the sword(s) and your surroundings. In my opinion, that is the way of the sword and therefore the most important part of Kumdo.