Travel Journal for South Korea, Andong’s Seokmun-Hoheup Visit/Workshop for Gail Pickens-Barger

Day 1 – Travel Day, Tuesday – April 16, 2024.

Drove from Port Neches, Texas at approximately 1:30 AM to IAH, Intercontinental Bush Airport in northern Houston, Texas.  My husband dropped me off at the Delta departures area of the airport.  I was traveling with a carry-on bag and a backpack bag.  I additionally wore a pocketed vest, to carry my valuables, IDs, Passport.  Arrived at security check in at approximately 3:30 AM.  There were few passengers at that time, I was practically the only one going through security at that time, and the TSA agents were very sweet, and helped me a lot to get through security.  I did not have to have any additional pat down or extra x-ray.  Sometimes I have to have an extra security check and pat down because of my internal pacemaker device.

My flight was scheduled to leave at 6:44 AM, and arrive in Minneapolis, MN at 9:23 AM, where I’d pick up the second flight to Seoul, South Korea.  My gate upon arrival was only two gates away from the departure gate.  From Left to Right,  Dr. Paul M, Catherine P, Gail Pickens-Barger (me), Monica R, Linda B, Malinda M.. Dr. Paul has the longest arms of all of us!  This was my first time meeting everyone.  On the plane, I sat next to Dr. Paul, and Malinda was sitting behind us.  Linda and Catherine were sitting together and Monica was in a different section of the plane.  As it was my first time to be in the presence of Dr. Paul, we were able to converse on a number of subjects, including the breathing study and the translation of the book.

Day 2- Arrival Day, Wednesday – April 17, 2024.

We arrived at approximately 3:30 PM on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.  We went through customs, and then picked up any checked baggage.  We were to meet up with Dr. Zuzana N and Mr. Lee.  We first met up with Mr. Lee, and we had food at the airport, while waiting for Zuzana.  Dr. Paul, went and found Zuzana, and then we were to take the subway to the train station, to take us to Andong.

I sat next to Mr. Lee, and we had some conversations around writing Hangul, and most of us took short naps on the way to Andong.

We arrived late in the evening, Grand Master and members of the Andong Seokmun community picked us up from the train, or the subway from the train station.  We were then taken to the government Andong center, where we had tea time with the Grand Master, and various community Andong members.  Monica, Zuzana and I were taken to the Guest House, compliments of the Governor’s wife (thank you), and Linda, Malinda and Catherine were taken to the CM Park Hotel.  

Day 3- Government Center & Andong Center, Thursday – April 18 2024.

Monica, Zuzana and I were to stay at the center for the following days, so we packed up our belongings, and teacher Mu-Hye checked us out of the Guest House, and walked us over to the center.  When we got there we had tea time with the Grand Master, then walked to breakfast.  Monica, Zuzana and I dropped off our luggage, prior to breakfast at the center.  Mu-Hye left early from breakfast as he had to teach class.  We came back to the center, changed clothes and joined in the class that was already in session.

Grand Master did Dantain Tape placement, and I got a new tape placement of my Seokmun Point.  It was at a different location (but not by much), when he placed the tape.  During this class session, I had a diaphragm massage, as I was tightly holding my core.  We finished class, and went to a local restaurant for lunch.  I did Level 2 hang gong, and received some adjustments of my postures.  Dr. Paul helped me with my focusing and center portion of the class.

In my session with Level 2 hang gong, I learned differences in the poses #3, and #4.  #8 shoulder width feet, and in #10 I learned a better way to get into the posture.  Which also helped me with pose #11.  

Several community members gave us car rides as we traveled to Andong Center, in the city of Andong, and took a class with teacher, Eun Son.  I additionally had a massage on the diaphragm from the lead teacher at the Andong Center.  I did Level 1 hang gong during this class.  I received several adjustments to the Level 1 postures.  This was the first time for me, to be in front of a teacher, doing Level 1. 

In Level 1 poses I received comments suggestions on pose #6 – to have my foot on top (was having some foot challenges, so will do that when I can), #8 I kept coming out of the pose, and again I have some challenges in my back, so on good days I can hold that position. #9 I was again shown a better way to get into the posture.  I was dipping my head towards the floor, and in the method I was shown, it was easier to stay in the posture.  #11 my hand posture was corrected, and lastly in #12 feet shoulder distance apart, was emphasized.  

The community members of the Andong center prepared an evening meal.  We met several new community members in this class.  I really liked the tofu soup, and it was teacher Eun Son who made the soup!

Both Zuzana, Monica and I came back to the hotel and took showers in our other classmates’ hotel rooms, then were brought back to the center, to sleep.  Monica stayed with Catherine in the Hotel, while Zuzana and I stayed at the center.  Warm floors, on blankets.  I was very hot, and had a hard time getting to sleep.  We asked Paul the next day if he could get us together in a hotel room.

Day 4 – Mask Play, Folk Village, Mountain Climb to view Folk Village, Visit to the oldest temple in South Korea, Gumi Center Practice & Evening Meal. Friday – April 19, 2024.

A 6 AM class was happening at the main Andong Center, led by a student, and Zuzana was still sleeping, moved over to a different section of the room.  I took the 6 AM class, and really enjoyed the main meditation portion of the class.  This I think made up for the lack of sleep that I had.  Odd being trying to sleep on the floor, versus, relaxed and calm during main practice meditation.

I had a nice interaction with my teacher, Mu-Hye.  We went over the painting that I had given the Grand Master, and we went over the min-zines I created of Hang gong levels 1,2,3.  I gave him a handout and I demonstrated how to fold the paper into a mini-zine.  We did that for Levels 1,2 & 3.  I showed him photos of my children and family too.  He also gave me demonstrations on some of the postures that I had questions on.  

We went to the same breakfast place on Friday, then we were driven by community members, and saw the Mask Play.  We then took golf carts and toured the Hanael Village.  Queen Elizabeth had visited, and planted a tree at the village.  I got to see the unusual tree, and the way that the floors were heated back in the olden times for the houses in the village.  The gentleman who actually did the renovation of some of the painted work at the temple gave us mask necklaces.  It reminds me of western bolo ties. 

Mask dance at the village.

How the floors were heated during the summer.  In addition, there was pipe work, to also heat the ovens in the kitchen with this method.  How interesting.  

     We then traveled to the mountain that was on the other side of the river/stream, which allowed us to see the village from on top of the hill.  It was one of the few areas that were untouched by the invasion.  

Left to Right. Dr. Paul M, Baek Lym (Nation’s Treasure Painter), Malinda M, Gail Pickens-Barger, Zuzana N, Linda B, Mr. Lee, Monica R and President of Seokmun Community, Kim Ok-rei. 

Next up was the visit to the oldest temple in South Korea.  Here is some of the work that our local Seokmun practitioner from the Andong/Government center does for his living.  He restores painted works for the temple, located near Andong.  Which holds the oldest temple in South Korea.

It is really like a mandala, what we see in yoga a lot.  Very vibrant and colorful.

So we really got our high intensity workout that day, look at these stairs!  Apparently, we just missed the festival being held at the temple the previous week.

Two dragons facing off and as the artist explained (if you look closely there is a ball of energy formed above their fiery exhale).  The artist explained this is the Yeo-ui-ju  that is formed when their energies meet.  I thought it was pretty cool, though it had faded.  

We additionally went to the Gumi Center with teacher/leader, Cheon Moon.  We had tea time, and a practice.  The warm up at the Gumi Center was different, as was the recovery session different from the standard warm up/recovery methods.  We were also fed a meal by the community members from Gumi.  My favorite was the radish garnish with herbs and mushrooms.  

Linda and Malinda were asking Grand Master different aspects of the postures, and Grand Master demonstrated the movement based dance, by what energy he could feel in a song/musical piece.  He taught us some techniques in movements.  I really enjoyed that particular session.

We had a round table discussion with the Gumi community members.  A lot of the members were Level 14s!  After a lively discussion, we did a main practice meditation session.  I encountered a bit of sleep paralysis, which I’ve had before in the past.  

When we came back to Andong, Zuzana and I stayed in the VIP room at the hotel.  It included a nice massage chair, which we both enjoyed.  We were to move to a different room the next day.

Day 5 – Workshop, Lunch, workshop, checkup Dinner, Class lecture.   Saturday – April 20, 2024.

Workshop started at 9 am on Saturday.  I did Level 1, Level 2, Level 1 with the main practice meditation.  Teacher Mu-Hye did the diaphragmatic massage for me on that day. We had lunch.  Enjoyed a Tea Meditation.  This is similar to the Noting and Labeling meditation we do in my advance yoga training with Lex Gillan at the Yoga Institute in Houston, Texas. I think though I like the Seokmun variation better than the Noting and Labeling technique.

Our members from the US talked about continuing the Tea Meditation practice on a regular basis.  I made note of the type of container that one makes the tea from.  The center also had a container to store the tea in, for the tea meditation refilling process.  If some of us are doing the tea meditation online, then one would need to acquire some similar type of container, in order to continue to fill one’s cup.  I’ve used a tall hot drink dispenser, when I’ve provided tea for my students.

After the tea meditation, I did Level 2, Level1, and then followed the folks in front of me for a mixed level hang gong postures.  Several of the postures were from Level 5.  Some of them were postures that I already knew from my yoga practice.  Specifically East to West posture, and Plough posture.  Level 5 Poses, #1, #2, #3, #4.  Level 6 Poses, #4, #5.  Level 8 Poses, #4, #5.  Level 10 Poses #1.  I wonder if this particular set of poses (some were repeated) are done different times of the year?  Or for a specific purpose during an in-person workshop day. 

We did Lying, seated and lying meditation, and accumulation.  We then had a checkup.  I was promoted to Level 3, during my checkup.  I was not expecting that.

After dinner, we were given some gifts from the community, traditional geese, and a Korean ornament, which is typically worn on a hanbok traditional Korean outfit.

We then had a training session with the Grand Master, and took photographs with members and our participants.

Dr. Paul M and Mr. Lee received their Instructor certificate, level 3.

Community members, US crew and teachers at Government Andong Center.

                Grand Master presenting Dr. Paul M Teacher Level 3 Award. Mr. Lee receiving Teacher Level 3 Award from Grand Master Cheon Pyeong Nim

Kim Ok-rei, President of the member Seokmun Andong Community, Gaile PB, and Baek Lynn Nation’s Master Painter

 Gaile PB and Mu-Hye Andong Top Teacher

Cheon Pyeong Nim and Gaile PB

Hospitality from the Andong Community members!  Lovely!

Day 6 – Travel to Suwon.  Main Center, Publishing Building, North Suwon Center, then to Seoul Korea.  Sunday – April 21 2024.

We checked out of  the CM Park Hotel and left Andong in the early morning. Our kind community member drivers took us to the bus station. On the journey to Suwon we stopped along the way at a rest stop.  Some of our crew purchased food and novelty items, then the rest of the bus trip we enjoyed the mist-filled hills that lined our path.

Waiting for our transportation to the Bus, to travel to Suwon.  Getting a last minute massage!

Misty side of the road as we traveled to Suwon.

We arrived early to the city of Suwon and enjoyed some pastries at the Paris Baguette shop as we waited. At the appointed time, we took a taxi to the Suwon main center.  As it was Sunday, it was closed. We walked to the Seokmun-Hoheup publishing center, where we met with the other Grand Master from the North Suwon Center.  He led us through the neighborhood to the North Suwon Center. The roads were blocked, as there was a marathon run/walk activity going on in this part of Suwon.

Our visit included tea time chat, a tour of the North Suwon Center.  We received lovely gifts of tea service from the Cheon-Sang-Hwa Suwon Region Grand Master.  Additionally, we received specialized personal tea from the main center.  Very unexpected and made everyone feel welcomed and special.

I think Grandmaster Cheon Pyeong Nim was enjoying the heavy bags he volunteered to carry.  Building muscle!

We had a main meditation practice at the North Suwon Center. 

 It was such a lovely space.

Front Row. Zuzana, Mr. Lee, Monica, Gail, Malinda, Dr Paul M, Catherine & Linda.  Back Row. Grand Master Cheon Pyeong Nim, Cheon-Sang-Hwa Suwon Region Grand Master, and Su-Il Grand Master.

We had dinner in Suwon before departing to Seoul, South Korea in a taxi ride.  

Day 7 – Activities in Seoul Korea.  Monday – April 22 2024.

Several of us in our group had activities to attend to in the morning.  Most of us came together to go eat Udon noodles.  Took the subway to get to a different neighborhood.  Several of us walked the neighborhood to do some tourist shopping.  

We gathered later on and took the subway to visit the Hyundai Shopping Center.  Being in the big city, going to the mall, seemed to me so different from being in the city of Andong.  Similar to here in the US, a big city like Houston, Texas has the energy of that type of town, compared to where I live in the Port Neches/Nederland/Beaumont Texas area, a small town community feeling.

Back to the AirBnB, attempting to do laundry.  Linda and Malinda spent a bit of time with me, going over Level 3 posture questions that I had.  I was able to take my notes from the US workshop that the Grand Master gave in Minnesota, along with what I have read in the big book.  Linda and Malinda were able to supplement my knowledge to where I feel confident in the poses.  

After the visit to the mall, our group came together for a discussion about Seokmun-Hoheup and spent a bit of time writing thank you notes to our hosts. I had a great discussion with Catherine about the history of the Korean peoples.  I’ll be writing up those notes in a separate summary.
 

At the AirBnB in Seoul, South Korea

Day 8 – Leaving Seoul, Korea.  Arriving in Minnesota/Houston, Texas.  Tuesday – April 23 2024.

Zuzana left first early in the morning, Catherine was picked up by her brother at 11 am, our checkout time, and the rest of us headed to the subway, to take us to the airport for departure.  Dr. Min accompanied us to the airport.  We were a bit early for check in, so we gathered with the remaining people for a great lunch.  

There is a bit of construction going on in the airport.  Malinda and Linda accompanied me to my departure gate, as I was leaving a whole hour earlier than they were leaving.  It was a very long flight on the way back.  I had a decent seat, and was able to get up, even with being the middle person in the middle section.  My airplane companions were Chinese.  My right sided companion had a physical translator device.  He had fun conversing with the device.  My right sided companion was fluent in English.  I had checked a bag, as I was bringing it as a carry on the hangul typewriter to take back to the states.  

Getting back to Houston, came the way of a stop in Atlanta, Georgia.  I had to take the airport train, to get from the international location to the domestic flights location.  Customs went by very fast, and I had to pick up my checked baggage and basically put it onto a transfer baggage location as I was getting ready to do another security check.  The typewriter as it went through security, raised some eyebrows.  Even though typewriters were still popular in the 1980s, 1990s, a lot of the people I encountered did not know about the manual typewriter.  I was able to board my Atlanta flight early, as I needed extra time to safely load the typewriter in the overhead bin.  

I got to my home, after a 2 ½ hour drive at about 3 am in the morning.  It took me several days to get back onto my normal schedule.  As I write this section of the summary I am a week and 3 days since coming home from the experience.  I still have some trouble sleeping and getting back into my routine.  My youngest child is also in their last weeks of school, getting ready for the university, so normal end of the school year activities are different with them graduating.

Being as I do the Seokmun-Hoheup movement and breathing practice remotely from the US team, I was able to enhance my experience with the Korean workshop with the different teachers and centers.  It became apparent to me, my lack of understanding of some of the physical differences in the postures.  

Additionally the placement of the dantian tape was a bit different in how I placed the tape.  Being in the presence of a teacher, also helped with the letting down of my thoughts in helping me to focus and concentrate on the Seokmun Point.  Being in a room with others who have gone before me in their different levels, also enhanced the experience.

My experience probably is a bit different than those who regularly met with Dr. Paul M and Ben K.    I additionally teach in-person classes with my chair tai chi and the yoga classes that I teach.  For over 4 years now, I have also taught online using the Facebook, Mind Body Online, Wellness Living and Zoom online platforms.  Not all online experiences give one the ability to grasp the subtle details of learning, doing the poses.  Great experience to do Seokmun-Hoheup in person with a community of like minded folks.  Thank you!

Submitted for review.  Gail Pickens-Barger. NACYT-500, E-RYT 500, Certified Yoga Teacher. Experienced 500 Teacher Level. Twenty-four years teaching, kids, adults, seniors, chair and adaptive populations.   May 3, 2024

Korean restaurant at the Incheon International Airport.  All masked up and ready to go!

Seokmun Hoheup is a comprehensive practice rooted in movement and breathing, designed to foster physical and mental well-being. This approach incorporates specific postures and breathing techniques that aim to promote mindfulness, inner stillness, and a sense of energy flow throughout the body. The practice involves focusing on the dantian point, which is believed to be a crucial center for energy cultivation.

As part of the Seokmun Hoheup practice, individuals are guided through various levels of postures and breathing exercises, each designed to deepen awareness of the body and breath. Additionally, the practice emphasizes the placement of Dantain Tape, which may aid in facilitating a more focused and concentrated practice by guiding the practitioner’s attention to the Seokmun Point.

The practice is often undertaken in a communal setting, where practitioners can benefit from the supportive energy of a like-minded community. Through shared experiences and interactions with others who have also progressed through different levels, participants can enhance their understanding and application of the practice.

The underlying philosophy of Seokmun Hoheup centers around the idea of achieving a harmonious balance between physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of well-being, seeking to enrich each practitioner’s journey towards greater self-awareness and holistic health.

Overall, Seokmun Hoheup breathing practices offer a unique approach to personal growth and self-discovery, complemented by a supportive community and guided instruction.