Here are my reasons for doing HDGD:

1) Exercise with some purpose and artistic flavor.
2) No kicking technique.
3) Uses a weapon other than my bare hands.

For me, the artistic value of HDGD is more important. It's not just about knowing how to use a lethal weapon, but it is more about training the mind and the body to work as one. I see the HDGD movements as an artistic expression not unlike the artistic expressions of a painter on a canvas. I find this to be challenging and something worthy of a life-long pursuit.

What're your reasons for doing HDGD?

I started Haidong Gumdo because I am [was] a sword enthusiast. I enjoyed fencing and thought Haidong Gumdo would be enjoyable. I never looked into the artistic side of it too much... If I wanted that, I would have joined an Art Class or taken up Expressive Dance.

I quit because I strongly disagreed with how the content was being taught and why students/instructors were being promoted. I always felt that a student/instructor should be promoted according to: A) their performance in competition against a live, resisting opponent, and; (2) the amount of technical knowledge they can demonstrate [in competition, sparring or teaching]. Since Haidong Gumdo would probably fall under "internal art" because it has no physical competitive outlet, demonstrating your technical knowledge through sparring/fighting becomes difficult, if not impossible.

My favorite part about Haidong Gumdo was, and always will be, sparring. Bamboo cutting was a novelty which kept me motivated for awhile. Oh, and the poofy pants. Gotta' love those poofy pants...

Edit: Gammar

No kicking?


Ha~

I started studying it because it was a more or less comprehensive sword art with a focus on real test cutting, and use of actual blades. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that the art was even more comprehensive than I had been led to believe and capable of being even more so.

Frankly , at the beginning more out of curiosity , at that time I was looking for Kumdo(kendo) Dojang, and due to misinformation , unknowingly, I veered into a HDGD dojang back then and found the sword movements in HDGD is much more exciting and just as challenging.
Been in HDGD for 4 years, out of that I spent 2.5 years sabbatical leave out of the Dojang and recently I rejoined the Dojang again. For 4 years ,it had passed on, I practised both in and out of Dojang, I did not regretted at all . In fact , the strong desire to further training prompted me back to dojang despite external difficulties.

Yeah. No kicking. If I had more sense when I was in TDK in my younger days, I might have known how to preserve my knees better. They still hurt when they are stressed during kicks. I think it was all those kicks to the punching bag. I really don't know.



Like you, I was pleasantly surprised to find that HDGD is very comprehensive. I am really looking forward to learning the single-handed forms.

I find it one way to attempt to integrate mind, body and spirit.

Like Tony, I find it to be a comprehensive (and ever expanding) system. I imagine any deficiencies I experience are related to my own shortcomings than to the system, which has proven to be flexible enough to incorporate new material while retaining its essential philosophy.