SUGI HAPKIDO PRINCIPLES

WATER. CIRCLE. HARMONY.

GRANDMASTER SON'S MARTIAL ARTS PHILOSOPHY

POWER FROM DANJEON (丹田)

I believe there are two distinct sources of power - one from muscles and one from the core of the body, Danjeon (丹田). Danjeon is the energy center of our body located in the lower part of the abdomen, and it can unleash full human power when adequately trained. While our muscles decline and lose control in aging, the energy from Danjeon increases in training regardless of age by bringing the raw power within us we have had since birth.

Think about the babies. As newborn babies do not have enough muscle power to use their arms and legs, they force their power from their core, Danjeon. Given that their body is disproportionate to their head, their power is quite strong and effective. It is only possible to wiggle, turn, flip, and crawl because their power comes from their Danjeon. This is an excellent example of what Danjeon power can accomplish. However, as we grow and develop our muscles, we tend to use our core less. When we become adults, we heavily rely on muscle strength and, in consequence, forget how to leverage the natural energy from the center of the body.

WHY MARTIAL ARTS MATTER

Training in martial arts is not to seek or build secret superhuman strength. The true purpose of martial arts training is to regain the original strength we all possessed when we were born. In my old days, my father told me I had to "lift it using your belly power" when I picked up something heavy. The "belly power" is ultimately the Danjeon power that generates the energy from the body's core and transmits through arms and legs by moving and turning the body from the center. This is the true power of martial arts we all need to seek in training.

I often see many martial artists in their 60s, 70s, and even older outperforming their younger counterparts. This is only possible because using Danjeon properly generates enormous power and channels it through the hands and legs for maximal strength output. In martial arts, we should never use the muscle strength alone. The energy (氣) from the Danjeon should be transmitted through your arms and legs by the movement of the waist that generates power from the core. The arms and legs are only tools. Danjeon is the center of energy that balances the body and plays a significant role in body movement.

REGAIN YOUR RAW POWER

What makes martial arts different from other sports? In many sports events, we are trained to focus on muscle strength. However, martial artists leverage the power and force the energy from Danjeon, the core of the body. If you want to discover the true power within you and retain control regardless of age, developing the power of Danjeon is the key. In conclusion, martial arts training should not focus on acquiring superhuman strength that exists nowhere. Instead, we should endeavor to find the raw power we have had since birth stored in our own body, Danjeon.