SuperNinjaMom----8/3/2004 6:28 PM----Post Number: 1


Hooray!!!! Success!!!! I finally found someone who has the 4-video teaching set that covers all the basic cuts, stances, drills, techniques, and forms for Haedong Gumdo IN STOCK!!!

I was able to order the set from Dynamics World, and I received the set in two days. I asked (because I knew there might be others interested in getting this set), and they have about 8 sets left in stock. The videos are not listed on their website or in their catalog, but I was able to get them by emailing and asking about them. If interested, you can reach them at dynamicsworld@hotmail.com, and ask for the four-video set from the World HaeDong Kumdo Federation. The set sells for $180 plus shipping.

I believe they are currently out of stock of the Korean textbook that goes with it, but I have found the textbook available through Chajonshim Martial Arts Supplies.

Well, I've already started brushing up and practicing with the videos, and I am correcting things in my basics and technique. I also borrowed a kagum, and have found that the difference in pitch of the whistle (the 'swoosh' when I swing the sword) provides excellent, immediate feedback on whether or not my cut and grip are right.

Forgive me for being so excited (Look out, I might actually learn something!!), but I thought the community might be interested in knowing where the set is available.

Anthony_Boyd----8/3/2004 10:32 PM----Post Number: 2


I am curious why you feel that these tapes and your self-observation is superior to the instruction at your dojang.

SuperNinjaMom----8/5/2004 1:27 AM----Post Number: 3


Long story.....but I do not see the tapes as superior to my training, but as an important adjunct to it.

There were four higher-ranking HDGD students at my dojang. Two (same family) had to leave for schedule conflict reasons (they are senior teachers in the TKD school, and are at the dojang already about 17 to 20 hours a week). One moved out of state (military reassignment...it happens often in our community). One is on an extended leave of absence. That leaves me as the senior-ranking student, responsible for introductory training for all beginner-level students, as a recent blue belt.

At about the same time, our school opened a new location, requiring our Kwan Jang Nim to be away from the location with the HDGD classes, much more of the time. Instead of being able to pop in to his office any day of the week, at almost any time of day to ask questions, he became available only for a few hours one day a week, while the new location was going through 'birth pains'.

During the same time period, while commuting back and forth from the new location, (within the last three months), Kwan Jang Nim was in a serious car accident, and was left unable to use his right wrist for the majority of that time. He is much better now, and is beginning to teach the advanced HDGD student class again, but only on alternate Saturdays. In the meantime, he was able to borrow an old (and I am ashamed to say, obviously bootlegged) copy of "volume 1" of this set, and recommended that I review it to watch for the small details, nuances, etc. that I could pick out, and to aid in my teaching (improve my technique, identify the details that should be stressed with the beginners, and help with my confidence in teaching). The tape quality was poor, but quite honestly, my main reason for wanting to get a 'legal' copy so badly was that I didn't want there to be any question about the integrity of borrowing someone else's tape, if it was of questionable origen, or copyright legality.

After the car accident, and as soon as the ranking students left, KJN was set to close the class for the summer and not accept new HDGD students (four other students are high school or college students who are out for the rest of the summer). I talked with him about possible options, and I said I was willing to help with teaching, if it meant that new students could continue to learn (we have two white belt students, and one brand new student who wanted to join at that time).

I am honored and humbled to be trusted with this responsibility, and I am determined to do my best. My KJN is now meeting with me for private instruction every other Sat., and between his guidance, the tapes, and scads of stuff I'm reading on stretches, history, technique, exercises, etc., I am hoping to do adequate service to the new students.

I am open to any/all suggestions on how to do a better job.

SuperNinjaMom----8/5/2004 1:46 AM----Post Number: 4


"Forgive me for being so excited (Look out, I might actually learn something!!),..."

I just re-read my first post in this thread, and I can understand why you would ask that question, Anthony. I am excited about the prospect of learning new things from the videos. I did not mean to imply that I wasn't learning before.

Sorry for any confusion or misunderstanding this may have caused.

Anthony_Boyd----8/5/2004 4:26 AM----Post Number: 5


Glad to hear it. I may be too sensitive to this topic anyway as I get asked for videos etc all the time, and worse get asked to critique other peoples' instructors for them... I have kind of been developing a knee-jerk reaction to the whole topic.

I have just called the vendor. They are out of stock at the moment. They expect a new shipment in about two weeks.

Dave.