Sunmoo-Do, ``Throw Away Your Stress!``

`Keeping your back straight, breathe deeply… one, two, three``.

In the evening of July 23, twenty or more men and women students are practicing sitting knees half -crossed, closing their eyes. There were a few working women..

Then, breaking in the ‘silence’, they are posturing various positions with their arms and legs, moving all of the bodies with sweat on their brows.

Lee, Mikyung (27, Female), who works for a company, said, ``Two month of practice has removed constipation completely. To learn one proper posture, I focus on my body and mind. And it relieves me of my stress.``. Recently, the number of people who resort to traditional martial arts for their health conditioning have increased. Aside from the well-known methods, such as Taekgyun and Haedong Fencing, Sunmoo-Do became popular as a good way for many people who suffer chronic diseases and stresses.

- What is Sunmoo-Do?

- Sunmoo-Do originated in India as a traditional training method for Buddists 2500 years ago. In Korea, it was imported around Shilla period and was known to have helped Wharang (Young academy students) to keep up their bodies and minds. Although it was briefly discontinued during Japanese occupation, Sunmoo-Do was revitalized by Master Yangik at Bumeo Temple in Pusan 40 years ago.

- It begins from simple stretches and Yoga and it has developed into flamboyant martial arts, such as flying kick and acrobatic turn in the air. However, all of these are only by-products to reach a harmony among body, mind and breath.

- How to practice it?

- Sunmoo-Do is composed of preparatory and main sessions. As for general public, the preparatory session is more appropriate than the main session which requires high-quality skills. The former consists of Sun stretch, Sun Yoga, and Sun breathing, from which the Sun Yoga (so called 5 body method) is the essential in that 5 body parts (arm, back, leg, head, belly) can be relaxed to help the backbone and joints. Nevertheless, practicing 18-step postures steadily for an hour everyday (Sun Stretch which is also called `Yooyeongong’) will help relax the body. The preparatory session is good for us to practice even at a small space, like at home or in office.

- The breathing method is important in all the steps of the Sunmoo-Do. In particular, the `three-breath` method is very effective to release internal wastes and to calm the body and mind. The method starts with breathing deeply with nose, shutting mouth lightly with knees half-crossed. Keeping the upper tooth and lower tooth close to each other, the end of tongue touches the borderline and opens the lip slightly. Then, breathe a little in a lengthy time and repeat the above steps three times per session, which should be practiced three times per day.

Disease prevention through united body and mind.

It is known that the postures of Sunmoo-Do, which are harmonized with `stillness` and `action`, relaxes the body and mind so that they help to prevent and cure various diseases. The Korea Sunmoo-Do association said that there were many cases in which the practitioners, who have continued it for several months, got better from chronic diseases, such as nerve disorder, arthritis and diabetes. Also there were quite a few people who are free from chronic fatigue and stresses through Sunmoo-Do. Some people were even able to stop drinking because of their body conditions changed.

The first thing is to change life style.

- All the practitioners are not to get the same effect. Steady trainings should be performed under the willingness to change the life style, such as to quit drinking and smoking.

- Master Jeokwoon, Head Buddist at Golgul Temple in Kyungjoo, Kyungbuk and the headquarters of the Sunmoo-Do, said, ``Sunmoo-Do is not a method to be healthy but a way to live. The most important thing is a strong will of correcting disordered body and mind by means of steady practice and training.``

Yun Sang-Ho ysh1005@donga.com