Feedback written by Chanté from South Africa 🇿🇦

[HAEDONG]

Written by Chanté Pienaar
Haedong Kumdo Instructor in Cape Town, South Africa 🇿🇦
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2025 was a very special year for Haedong Kumdo students in South Africa.

We spent the entire year anticipating Grandmaster Kim's visit, eager to attend his amazing classes and learn from him at the 2025 South Africa Haedong Kumdo seminar.

As the year progressed, the air was electric, and excitement grew. The wait felt endless; it felt like a dream come true – meeting and learning from our one-of-a-kind Grandmaster Kim! 😊

Finally, the time had come, and we were overjoyed when the seminar started!

A week to absorb and appreciate the teachings we'd been craving.

The experience exceeded expectations, helping me advance in my Haedong Kumdo journey. I'm more in tune with my body's capabilities and the beauty of Haedong Kumdo as an art as a direct result of Grandmaster sharing his wisdom.

From the strongest strokes of a sword, to the slightest shift in movements from one foot to the other, I realised the extreme importance of body awareness and being in tune with my surroundings.

Balancing my energy and executing a stance in a manner that is "just right" can be done whilst trusting slow movements as well. Perfect execution can be achieved without "exploding" from one position into the next.

Perfect, sharper speed can be achieved once that trust in balance is established. And you know what?

My body has felt the effect of being pushed to the limit, especially whilst maintaining a perfectly still stance.
I definitely came out on the other side of training feeling stronger!

Martial arts isn't just a lifelong commitment. In fact, when it's a passionate part of life; it is really a WAY of life. It has helped me grow and improve, both mentally and as a committed student.

Grandmaster Kim was patient, letting us make mistakes, learn, and improve.
He taught us to listen to our bodies through breathing techniques and energy flow – something I grasped only after he demonstrated its importance.
I'm applying these techniques both to my Haedong Kumdo practices and my daily routine.

This might sound underwhelming, but how can we tackle the day without harnessing our energy?

The balance and calm I've discovered have transformed my daily flow positively.

Thank you, dearest Grandmaster Kim, for visiting and teaching us. Your impact has been phenomenal! We appreciate your time and ongoing guidance. Your support means a great deal. Looking forward to many more visits and seminars! 🎊 🫶🏻

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A Short Commentary
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Dear Chanté,

Thank you for your sincere reflection.
What you described is not simply improvement in technique.

It is the beginning of understanding principle. When stillness gives birth to speed, and balance replaces force, the body has started to return to its natural order.

True power does not come from explosion. It comes from alignment.
True sharpness does not come from tension. It comes from trust.

I am especially glad that you are carrying this awareness into your daily life. When training influences how you breathe, move, and respond beyond the dojang, martial arts becomes a way of living — not a scheduled activity.

Continue to train steadily.
Let understanding settle quietly into your body.


With respect,
Grandmaster Jeong Seong Kim
Founder & President
United World Haedong Kumdo Federation
Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo