Testimonial of Students

1.Testimonial of Tan Chuan Yang's parents

Hi Dr. Chua,

My wife and myself would like to thank you and all the instructors (esp. Master Jeffrey ..) and fellow trainees of Han Mu Do Club for the the patience and kind efforts to guide and coach Chuan Yang for the past few years to enable him to obtain his 1st Dan Belt Belt in HMD.

The journey is long and non-ending and hope that you and fellow instructors and trainees will continue to guide him towards building up a strong and good character both mentally and physically.

Congratulations to all those who have passed the Test yesterday and to the wonderful event and seminar organised by HMD Singapore.

With Kind Regards
Tan Hak Heng & Family

2.Testimonial of Alan Poon (Hanmudo red belt)

Hanmudo 한무도 (The korean way of Martial Art)
by Alan Poon on Friday, 10 June 2011 at 23:03

Hanmudo's philosophy

Martial Art practitioner needs to set short term goals in order to achieve more in life.

He needs to train with open mind so as to maintain the harmony with others.

He also needs to train with positive attitude so that he will be able face new challengers with confidence.

My opinion of Hanmudo and my reasons for joining it

Like my teacher, Dr Dennis Chua who took up martial art under the influence of the Brunce Lee, I took up Korean Martial Art too under the influence of Korean's fighting drama. It was the korean drama 'Chuno' that had many fanciful fighting scenes but at the same time it gave deep meaning to the traditional Korean Martial Art. Thus I sort after Korean Martial Art and I find that Hanmudo is exactly what I am looking for.

I have learnt many things in Hanmudo and are able to formulate my own observation. I had practised Judo for a short time when I was in High School and I was introduced to some joint-locking and throwing moves. There are similar techniques being taught here but Hanmudoists execute differently. Due to competitiveness, Judo's throwing has to be quicker and the exceution places too much stress on the back. The technique becomes less effective as one ages. However, Hanmudo's throwing emphasies more on safety and a right posture must be adopted before throwing.

In addition, my character as a Martial Art practitioner has also grown. Despites having learnt some dangerous techniques, I still remain docile. Haha... Say:'parley' instead of using your fist. I have realised that giving a smile, and apologising for the mistake keeps me safe. I have never doubted if techniques taught will be easily countered and I just learnt what is being taught. The common question I hear from my peers is 'What if..' type of question. "What if I do this.... and he attacks me this side?" Peaple are asking them as if they are expecting they will get in a fight the next day. Even it really happens, just how much you do think they will use the techniques they have learnt when the dangers comes in a split second. What really can save us is the common human instinct which can be impoved by practising Martial Art. I say by practising Martial Art, it improves your human instinct to danger by 2%. That is what I have been telling myself and that is 100% the safest I know I can be. Hanmudo is a lifelong school of Martial Art that I want to be in. Not a self-defense workshop.

Alan poon

3.Testimonial of William Toh (Hanmudo 2nd Dan Black Belt)

How Han Mu Do helped me in my family

I find the principles of Han Mu Do very applicable in the family setting as well.

Respect and Care

Respect is very important value to me and I hope to inculcate this in my kids, who are attending Han Mu Do classes together with me. Learning to respect elders, teachers and peers is important but continuing to have respect for individuals even when one's status in society has risen is also important. To me respect means not just having high regards for someone or a set of ideas but also to show due consideration to people around us as well. At home, my kids must learn to respect each other's needs, just as I have to learn to respect their needs too. Respect is a value that is rapidly losing ground in today's society. Schools, corporations and the community at large are having increasing problems due to lack of respect.

When we learn to really respect and genuinely care for each other, we will win respect in return. "He who waters shall be watered also himself". By having respect and consideration to help those around us grow and improve, we make things better for ourselves too. We should be like water that nourishes lives around it. In Han Mu Do trainings, we can improve rapidly when our partners improve too since we depend on each other to practice.

Humility and a teachability spirit opens the door to limitless discovery (not limited by rigid thinking or personal pre-programmed perception of things). Indeed, I learn a lot of things from my wife and kids too.

Han Mu Do reminds me of this important value and I am glad that I can expose my kids to this principle and let them practice it in a tangible way.

Optimism and Resilience

Han Mu Do uses a wide variety of techniques (hands, legs, etc.) to overcome different forms of threats. Never say die attitude. Always there's hope. Whenever there are difficulties in my family (eg. financial, kid's studies, etc.), there is always a solution. Sometimes, it involves creative thinking. Focus on our circle of influence rather than the problem outside our influence. We are also always learning how to bounce back during emotional hard times.

Water theory: Water is free flowing and therefore cannot be broken. It can flow to new horizons without being limited. Water can change its form according to the environment, from solid to liquid to gas and vice versa. Therefore, there is technically no environment that is 'bad' or damaging to water. It simply changes itself.

Optimism is Han Mu Do's third principle.

Wisdom and Balance

Being assertive is good and even essential in life. However, when assertiveness is balanced with sound thinking and wisdom, it's even better. Things get done more smoothly and people are more motivated. Hard techniques should be balanced with soft techniques. In disciplining children, for example, besides being hard on them, we have to praise them and recognize them for the things they did right and well.

Water theory: Water is not fixed and hard but flows in harmony with its surrounding. It yields where necessary so that it can continue to flow. It is gentle but can influence a rock or metal.

Knowing how to yield and regain control is something we always practice during Han Mu Do. In any disputes or arguments, it sometimes works better to yield first before making your views heard. Life is such; we all want to press our views first and believe strongly that we are right. Instead of going head on in a clash of differing views, it works better to let others have a go first, then come up with alternatives.

This is Han Mu Do's 4th philosophy of the 'pen and the sword'.

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