STOKERS SIDING Hapkido instructor and 4th dan Phil Eizenberg has revealed how learning martial arts can inspire and empower the spirit while keeping you looking youthful and energised.
Fit and young for his age Phil, 67, is a well-known Hapkido instructor who said the benefits of training and learning a martial art were unlimited.
“It keeps me feeling and acting young,” he said.
“I can do this because I started Hapkido training at age 35 and have continued ever since.”
Phil explained that Hapkido is a Korean Royal martial art that incorporates meditation, gentle tai chi-style exercises, stretching and practical self-defence.
“It combines the use of weapons with hand and foot techniques,” he said.
Phil said he’s inspired by Hapkido’s ability to develop the human spirit at both a conscious and subconscious level.
“It develops courage and empowers the individual with skills from concepts that have been taught for many, many years.”
Phil (pictured) also used an example of how Hapkido helped save one young student.
“A general example of how the techniques work is shown in the development of many of my students whose parents contact me and tell me how their children always remember their training with me,” he said.
“This training has developed their individual character, given them confidence and self-esteem and kept them safe.
“A specific example: One of my young students was accosted in the toilets at Knox Park.
“He used some of the kicking techniques taught by me and was able to escape without injury or harm.”
Phil said Hapkido teaches discipline, control of emotions, and gives high-level skills to protect them and others in adverse situations with road-tested defence techniques.
“You start Hapkido at any age with a white belt (beginner level) and progress through belt gradings to black belt level (1st dan),” he said.
“Generally, it takes about four years to achieve black belt level.
“Hapkido techniques are complex and enjoyable to learn. There is a huge body of work to discover and keep you interested your entire life.”
The history of Hapkido in Korea goes back nearly two thousand years.
It was originally only taught to the aristocracy and the “men of letters”, until around 1960 when it came into prominence again and began to be taught to the general public.
It is the preferred defence technique of Korea’s special forces Hapkido is one of Korea’s national arts and is not practised as a sport.
“It is not aggressive. You can see Hapkido in action in many movies and television series,” Phil said.
To find out more about the youthful and spiritual benefits of Hapkido contact Phil at the Australian Hapkido Association 0418 436 172.
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