I have to take kumdo

[sooner_sadiq]

Well my hapkido instructor here in Korea has made me a generous offer of teaching me Kumdo for free. While this is extremely cool of him I have never been a huge weapons fan, and when i did train weapons I did sticks and Knives. So my question is: is their any practical benefit to training kumdo or is it more of an art? I know many hkd practioners do it as well so what is your take on it? I will be going in with an open mind but thought I would get some other opinions on it as well.

[Brian R. VanCise]

Well my hapkido instructor here in Korea has made me a generous offer of teaching me Kumdo for free. While this is extremely cool of him I have never been a huge weapons fan, and when i did train weapons I did sticks and Knives. So my question is: is their any practical benefit to training kumdo or is it more of an art? I know many hkd practioners do it as well so what is your take on it? I will be going in with an open mind but thought I would get some other opinions on it as well.

Lot's of advantages it will certainly make you a better overall martial practitioner. One of the key things is learning to judge distance well.

You should enjoy it quite a bit. Kumdo is lot's of fun to train in.

[CDunn]

It depends- 'Kumdo' in Korean merely means 'sword way', and there are at least three arts that can be referred to with it.

Haedong Kumdo is a flowing, internal sort of art. It does not translate specifically into the bare handed arts, but it will refine your motion and control, and will strengthen you in places you never knew existed. Perception, awareness, composure, and smooth motion are emphasized.

Daehan Kumdo is essentially Japanese Kendo. I'm sure you can find plenty of arguments about it, having no first hand experience, I will make no arguments.

Daehan Haidong Kumdo is a rival organization to the Haidong Kumdo organization. Their art, I assume, is more like the HDKD than the Japanese styles. I do not know much about it.

[tbmonti]

Gumdo training is outstanding exercise as well a alot of fun. What is more fun than getting to hit your opponent with a stick.

Respectfully,

Anthony B. Monti

[Insun]

I can only speak from experience of my own but I find sword is a great way to exercise. I have fibromyalgia and find that the breathing done propperly during sword training energizes me. At 61 years old I am able to do more squats and push-ups then the children in my class.

Using a broom handle or umbrella or any similar item you could defense yourself very well.