▲ Director Lee Jang-hyuk

‘Busy’ is a word that might represent the daily routine of many city dwellers today. They are loaded with works and hardly can make time to give themselves a break. So ‘healing’ has become the word that might represent the want of many city dwellers. People try to find a way to heal their tired body and mind from yoga to pilates. Recently, Dahnmudo, aka healing martial art, seems to be spreading fast. It is a martial art built based on traditional Korean martial arts that have passed down from the Dangun, the god-king of Gojoseon, era. The most distinguished characteristic of Dahnmudo is that it is a martial art for ‘healing’, not for attack or protection. 

From children to elderly
Dahnmudo Deajeon branch director Lee Jang-hyuk explains “The strong, smooth, fast and slow movements of Dahnmudo help us ease our body. Smooth movement eases joints and makes the muscles strong and the energy circulates better. Everybody can enjoy Dahnmudo from 4 year old child to 100 year old elderly. Children become positive and concentrative and grow their brain power. Adults can have clear head and relieve stress and fatigue. Above all, it strengthens muscles and immunity and deepens breathing and keeps the balance of our body.”

Spreading Korean humanitarian spirit to the world
Lee started Dahnmudo in summer 2004 in Daegu and worked at Ilsan branch for 12 years. He moved to Daejeon branch in August 2016 as the director. 60 members are registered to Daejeon branch but enthusiasts are visiting from many cities including Seoul, Cheonan, Cheongju, Jeonju and Yeongcheon. “I hope more training halls of Dahnmudo will open near Sejong and Daejeon so that more people can learn the value of the Korean humanitarian spirit and to spread it to the world.”