Why practice a Sword Martial Art in this modern world? What use is it to you?

A question I have been asked and a very relevant one too I must say. I have practiced martial arts now for over 30 years, starting with Aikido, moving through Kenpo Karate and Kickboxing, Okinawan weapons and Tai Chi and Qigong and my current study for the last 15 years the Korean sword art of Haidong Gumdo.

Going back a bit, why do people start to practice martial arts? Self defense being the obvious one, not liking other sports, angry, frustrated and always getting in to trouble? Need to channel the energy into a martial art.

Nowadays there is a lot of MMA mixed martial arts and the seemingly glory of a career in fighting and making money from this system. Martial arts solely focused on the win and the glory and how much hurt one can instill on your opponent in the shortest time possible. Invariably ending in a blood bath.is this the true purpose of an art?

I started martial arts at the age of 12 as I grew up in a house with brothers who practiced martial arts and it was my oldest brother who gave me my first karate suit and from there it all started and has continued. Now as I make my way in age 49, I ponder the questions of my training and my approach to the martial arts.

So what can training in a sword martial art do to benefit you in daily life in a modern world? Are the ways of old warrior codes any use to a modern day warrior?

How can you even think of being able to defend yourself with this kind of sword training, when we do not carry weapons as we walk the streets of life each day? Sure what use is it to learn this discipline of sword techniques?

So by training in Korean sword arts of Haidong Gumdo similarities do exist with other martial arts training systems.

1. We train our bodies to be strong and resilient and to withstand great stress and pressure.
2. We have the added resistance of using training swords and then real swords and trust me when you add this to your body you will feel a whole different set of muscle groups being activated.
3. Building on flexibility like other arts we train our tendons, ligaments and joints to be super strong and flexible.
4. We utilize inner Qigong energy techniques to calm the mind and the spirit and to cleanse the body.
5. Using a sword really focuses the mind as you cannot afford to be absent minded when you handle a sword, unlike throwing a punch or a kick in the wrong way, you cannot get away with this with sword training.
6. Power, accuracy, focus, discipline all are part of the mindset and body awareness that comes from sword training.
7. Movement in circular ways with the sword with power and speed adds a new dimension to how your body moves.
8. Defense and attacking become dynamic as you train against other swordsmen and your reaction time becomes impeccable. Trust me you do not want to there on the receiving end of a sword strike even with a wooden training sword. In karate and other systems you could probably take a few kicks or punches if you have trained you body correctly, but if a sword attack come you must not be there.
9. Training in sword techniques will allow you a chance to resolve some mental emotional stresses and when you practice you can use the training cuts of your sword practice to cut away parts of your life or yourself that do not serve you.
10. In modern days training we do have competition for students to train in, and learn to challenge themselves on international stages and better themselves through competition. Although for me this is never the reason to do a martial art. Martial arts should not be about win or defeat it should come to the level of character improvement, better understanding of the self and how you a human being strive for your own goals towards being a better human being. Advancing your spiritual connections and realizing the truth about who you are all can be done with the right instruction.
11. Breathing and energy preservation are also a key component of your sword training and learning to synchronize your breath with your movements is essential. fluid movements with intentional breath changes will make you understand more about the inner connection to yourself and your art.

So back to sword training and self defense? I ask which self are you trying to defend? Have you thought about that ever?

Can the techniques and movements of a sword art be adapted to help you in a situation where you do actually need to defend yourself? What is the best defense when someone attacks? I would say not be there, so with the dynamic movements of Haidong Gumdo you learn firstly to move to avoid an oncoming attack and then you learn to counter that attack albeit with a training sword but these movements can, under the right instruction be adapted to hand to hand situations.

Learning to control your mind and how to know when to react and when not is also a beneficial part to your sword training.

When training with a sword as Master Han the Headmaster Of Haidong Gumdo in Korea says “ one must have an intangible mind when training in sword arts” Can this be a benefit to you in modern day life? I would suggest yes as life throws many challenges to you an “intangible mind” will be a beneficial action that you can learn through sword martial art training.

Learning to cut, block and stab with the sword can help you to eliminate evil in your heart and to save others……Quote from Master Han

When you practice discipline and focus and accuracy during your sword training you can adapt this to your attitude to life, you can become more focused on your goals in life, you can become disciplined in your life to attain whatever it is you are seeking, and you can become accurate in your actions and serve to live a quality life worth living.

So yes it is beneficial to train in the ways of a sword art in this modern world and you will learn more about your character and your potential to succeed in life and also identify your weakness and find an answer to this through the ways of Haidong Gumdo.

Come along to your local Haidong Gumdo martial arts school and learn how sword training can benefit your life.

Alan Kane, Headmaster of Haidong Gumdo Ireland.

www.haidonggumdoireland.com