Basic to Choi Kwang-Do’s training philosophy is Grandmaster Choi’s conviction that all aspects of martial arts training should contribute towards one’s overall health and longevity. Evidence of this philosophy is seen in all of Choi Kwang-Do’s movements, where fluid, continuous movements replace the rigid stop and go movements found in many traditional martial arts. According to Grandmaster Choi: “Tense lock-out movements are not only impractical by can actually cause harm to the joints of the body by repeated hyperextension. Continuous rhythmic movements promote better cardiovascular conditioning and stress reduction benefits, both of which are vital to good health.
Recent studies in psychoneuroimmunology have show that fast, rhythmic exercise, performed continuously for about thirty minutes, helps to counter the harmful effects of stress by strengthening the body’s immune system and relieving anxiety.” Stress, in itself, has been proven detrimental to health, which is why Grandmaster Choi has eliminated overly stressful training aspects, such as overemphasis on competition, excessive contact during training, and harsh, abusive teaching methods.
