During a profoundly inspirational Haidong Gumdo (Korean Sword Art) seminar with EUHGA Headmaster Sang-Hyun Han, the following question was asked by one of the participants:

‘why do we put ourselves through suffering in practice?’

I can’t piece together the exact answer, but I do remember I felt deeply inspired.

The gist of Master Han’s response was:

We practise Martial Arts not only to gain skills, but to build our character. To improve ourselves as human beings.

We put our bodies and minds under the stress of training, because it is exactly the struggle (as well as the recovery from it) that makes us stronger, more resilient, and eventually – more confident.

If applied profoundly enough, this principle eventually transcends the Arts for which the practising happens.

It serves to make us stronger, and more flexible. Physically and mentally, but also emotionally.

Even spiritually.

The best thing is: It doesn’t end. The experience gained is always cumulative.

Self-knowledge and growth go ever deeper..

I dig it.

Picture featuring EUHGA Headmaster Sang Hyun Han, Senior Master Seung-Eun Chae, EU Technical Director Master Chul-Kyung Lee and Master Corné van Es – Courtesy of European Haidong Gumdo® Association