First Martial Arts Forum for inner and outer peace held at the United Nations

On November 3rd 2005 the first Martial Arts Forum for Inner and Outer Peace was held at the United Nations building. The event was organized by the PAX CHRISTI NGO and sponsored by the IRFF and World tongilmoodo Federation with the purpose of realizing peace through the practice of martial arts. The event lasted about 2 hours and included the honorary participation of well-known Taichi master Mr. William Chen and others martial arts masters. The event opened up with the reading of one excerpt from the well-known book of poems TAO TE KING. Afterwards International Master Kensaku Takahashi gave a great speech on IEF philosophy, emphasizing the practice of universal values and unifying the best techniques from others martial arts and inventing new techniques as well.

Following the speech the TIMD group was invited for a 15 min performance by Master Vincent Belmonte, Luis Carreno, Larry V. and white belt student Pepe Castro. The performance included form of peace (pyung hwa eui bom) followed by outstanding self-defense techniques with a special demonstration in ground fighting (TIMD Grappling) and finally closing with eye of the tiger form.

After the TIMD demonstration the Taichi master was invited in to explain the essence of Chinese self defense and taichi arts. He explained that taichi has a double benefit for those who practice it, which is an improved health and greater self-defense skills. Through the practice of taichi, one can improve their health by doing a series of slow movements combined with proper and coordinated breathing techniques representing ying and yang and by having a conscious mind of the present. Tiffany Chen demonstrated those movements and afterwards Master Chen gave an explanation on self-defense application.

As a complement to martial arts a new concept of energy medicine was introduced in which one can benefit by conscious meditation and breathing, It is very similar to the taichi concept except that this has no movements.

The event concluded with a minute of silence followed by group pictures. It was a good opportunity to introduce martial arts as an instrument for peace to the United Nations and we hope that more events can take place at major conferences and that martial arts can one day play a major role in developing global peace and expanding Universal Values throughout the world.

Special thanks to Executive Director of IRFF Ichonori Tsumagari for his great cooperation.

Luis Carreno