Breathing
In kumdo, breathing (숨쉬기, sumswigi) is taught as natural, deep, thin and steady abdominal breathing. The Korea Kumdo Association describes three ways of breathing, from ordinary breathing to holding the breath with force in the 단전 (danjeon).
How to say it
- Korean
- 숨쉬기sumswigi
- Spanish
- Respiración
- English
- Breathing
- Japanese
- 呼吸こきゅうkokyū
Breathing (숨쉬기, sumswigi) is the way of breathing used when practising kumdo.
The textbook of the Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회, Daehan Geomdohoe) says one should breathe naturally with the abdomen, in boksikhoheup (복식호흡, abdominal breathing). The breath should be kept deep, thin and constant. For the seated bow (좌례, jwarye), calm abdominal breathing is also prescribed.
In its technical section on hoheupbeop (호흡법, "breathing method"), the same association describes three kinds of breathing:
- Ordinary breathing (평상시의 호흡), which happens without one being aware of it.
- Lengthening both the inhalation and the exhalation: breathe in slowly and deeply, and breathe out slowly and long.
- Leaving an interval between exhaling and inhaling: after a full inhalation, put strength into the 단전 (danjeon), hold the breath for a while, then exhale.
According to the same source, in yeongyeok (연격, continuous striking practice) and in 연공 (yeongong) practice, one should hold the breath to some degree, like a 100 m sprinter, and give everything for intense strikes. In this way the breathing is regulated without thinking about it and the 기력 (giryeok, vigour, spirit) is strengthened. Learning the breathing method is among the stated aims of yeongyeok.
A blog from a Japanese children's kendo class agrees that abdominal breathing is the basis. It says strength is focused in the 단전 (the lower abdomen) while breathing in, and that the stored energy is released in one burst at the moment of the strike.
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