Sung Ji Kwan Sword Training Academy

Siljun Dobup

The practice of using the sword aiming to strike a balance between theory and practice.

Siljun Dobup teaches:

Etiquette
Tradition
Breathing
Drawing
Sheathing
Cutting

Students of Siljun Dobup will practice:

Jee (Earth)
Soo (Water)
Poong (Wind)
Hwa (Fire)
Cheon (Sky or Heavens)

These forms seek to create a healthy mind and body and at the beginning stages, stress is released and the focus is most noticeable. Since the sword is a dangerous object, it requires greater awareness, which compels the wielder to focus and empty his or her mind.

Balance and Posture are developed and through sword practice and after advancing to the forms, a student will learn the study to breathe and accumulate “Ki” energy. There are five ascending stages of training in Siljin Dobup: Jee earth, Soo water, Poong wind, Hwa fire, Cheon sky. There are also forms and 6 basic cutting moves to study before set Jee.

Advance Progression:

Set Soo emphasizes flexibility, rhythm, and the removal of excess force.
Set Poong teaches how to focus one’s strength in a short period of time and the proper way to impact the target. This technique draws out maximum destructibility from a state of accumulated “Ki”.
Set Hwa combines the use of “Ki”, breathing, flexibility, control of strength, and focus to bring out one’s maximum potential.

Depth:

Set Jee (Putting down “the self”) – It is the first stage and a student must empty and accept new things.
Set Soo (Flowing like water) – Our mind should flow like water. Water can harmonize in any place and transform into any shape without losing its character. Our mind should be flexible like water and open to the unlimited possibilities.
Set Poong (Stopping like Wind) – The wind blows or stops without being seen. Our minds are limitless and free of charge One cannot maintain the freedom of moving and find the weakness of the opponent.
Set Hwa (Burning like fire) – Build the fire and energy “Ki” to help the spirit ascend.
Set Choen (Sky) – Cheon is the final chapter to start controlling your mind. It is the freedom and harmony.

Training Methods

Group Lessons

Group sessions will give you the opportunity to practice with other students, and still receive guidance and the Siljun Dobup necessary training to improve and evolve through the five stages of Siljun Dobup. Such training will give you the comparative level learning which will increase your awareness and participation, but ultimately boosting self-esteem and confidence.

Private Lessons

Private sessions are an effective way to turbocharge your training. During private lessons, an instructor can spend one-on- one time with you to fine tune your techniques and improve your performance. It is a popular way for students to accelerate their progress and obtain the one-on-one attention.

Etiquette

School Etiquette:

Three Levels of Respect

Respect towards the national flag: Respect towards the national flag, shown by saluting, signifies Siljun Dobup’s principle of loyalty towards one’s nation. This will be done as one enters and leaves the school as well as at the beginning and the end of practice sessions.
Respect towards the master or instructor: Respect towards the master or instructor shown by bowing, signifies Siljun Dobup’s principle of respecting one’s parents, teachers, and elders.
Respect towards other students: Siljun Dobup also teaches that should be respect among fellow students. One must treat with respect in order to be treated with respect. This signifies Siljun Dobup’s principle of treating all human beings and all living things with respect.

Basic Etiquette:

Always pay respect to the school, by bowing, when entering and exiting.
Always address the master or instructor of the school as “sa beom nim” or “sir” and show due respect.
Always be polite and patient towards fellow students regardless of rank.
Always wear the uniform and equipment properly, maintain them in a clean and safe state for practice. No external jewelry (watches, bracelets, or rings) should be worn to avoid catching or snagging on to any part of the uniform or sword.
During practice, be considerate and aware of other students’ safety.
There shall be no swearing, joking or speaking loudly regarding non- Siljun Dobup related matters, horseplay or any other behavior which displays a lack of respect.
Don’t be late and always be prepared for practice quickly; to listen and follow instructions from master or instructor.
Avoid excusing yourself from practice without prior permission from master or instructor.

Grand Master Jin K. Seong:

“Every martial art has an original form. The form is very important and it must be real, but to be realistic, real combat experience is necessary.

Through practice, that experience is proven and preserved. I have been practicing Kendo for over 30 years, always with the mentality that I am fighting real opponents. Siljun Dobup is based on real combat, and many unnecessary movements have been removed. With the right mentality, anyone can enjoy practicing this martial art.

Siljun Dobup teaches etiquette, tradition, breathing, drawing, sheathing, and basic cutting in progression order. Jee, Soo, Poong, Hwa, Cheon forms, aim to create healthy minds and bodies.