In this study, we explore the principles of somatic movement inherent in Eastern psychosomatic disciplines with the aim of developing a somatic movement program for well-being. Taking into consideration the principle known as ‘BRACED’, we examined the Kishinbeop of Kouksundo and the Yukjagigyeol of Hwalinshimbang whose training methods are based upon the relationship between Yin and Yang and the five elements (water, fire, wood, metal and earth) and viscera, and developed the ‘Ohaeng Eumseong Chum’ program. The water dance is a movement that strengthens the kidneys and bladder, paired with the sound of ‘Chwi-’. The fire dance strengthens the heart and small intestine with the sound of ‘Whaw-’. The wood dance is for the lungs and large intestines, and makes the sound of ‘S-’. The earth dance is composed of movements for the spleen and stomach accompanied by the sound ‘Hoo-’. This study contributes to the development somatic movement and to the study of well-being movement, which can help dancers and individuals to get to know their bodies and live a long and healthy life.

We analyzed Taepyeongmu (Dance of Peace) from a somatic point of view to understand the dance’s movement principles, using Kim Kyeonghee’s “BRACED” principle (year of paper that used “BRACED”).’ Taepyeongmu is a dance composed with various rhythms and parts. Accordingly, there are lots of body movements and turns, where it is essential to ‘Breathe’ and ‘Align’, which require ‘Relax’ of the body and the mind as in the principle of ‘BRACED.’ Consequently, the inner and outer movement are well ‘Connected’ to perform the Queen’s ‘Dance’, ‘Expecting’ peace in the country.

Based on the ‘BRACED’ principle, it is evident that all of the six principles of somatic movement are inherent in this dance. By conducting this research, we hope to lay the foundation for studying the principles of somatic movement of other traditional dances.

This study aimed to find the somatic movement principles inherent in KoukSunDo by analyzing systematically personal experiences, which KoukSundo training methods had treated at the individual level with a focus on self-awareness and self-feeling only on self-awareness and self-feeling at the individual level through the body and mind training methods of KoukSunDo and the somatic materialization(embodiment) processes based on the "BRACED," which is the fundamental principle of somatic movements. Conducting a research on the training of KoukSunDo according to this principle of somatic movements will be significant to establish the practices of KoukSunDo as an academic area and thus increase their values.

The study analyzed the Naegijeonsinhaeng method in the training stages of KoukSunDo to analyze the principles of somatic movements inherent in it. These principles include the Breathe principle inherent in Danjeon Breathing; the Relax principle inherent in Simpyeonghwagi as a peaceful state of mind; the Align, Connect principle connecting the mind and harmonizing the mind and the body through the alignment of the body; the Expect principle sending energy to each and every Jangbu; and the Dance principle moving like a big crane dancing leisurely. These findings suggest that the principles of somatic movements are inherent in the movements of KoukSunDo, which is a unique body and mind training method to the Korean people.

The findings of the study will contribute to the wide spread of body and mind training methods of KoukSunDo unique to the Korean people as somatic practice around the world like yoga and qigong.