What is Gum Do?

Gumdo is made up of using the sword, Cutting, Forms, Sparring, Breathing, etc.
It has been developed by many swordsmen and trainers.

It is literally translated into "the original Korean sword techniques."
It's the traditional Gumdo for real battles, totally different from Jukdo (using a sword
made from bamboo) sports and Guhapdo, which is imported from Japan.

The trainers of Gumdo use real swords which weigh 1.0 to 1.5 Kg;
they drill in a traditional way by unifying Gum-bub (the training to get used to
the sword,) Gyuk-gum (the training to acquire the skill of cut and thrust,)
Be-gi (training to learn the skill of cutting straw, bamboo, paper, etc.) and
Ho-heub-bub (abdominal breathing.)

The techniques of our sword are not the only important skills for fighting.  But also
a drill for defending oneself and defeating opponents.

By improving physical strength, one can exercise endurance.
By practicing the constant changes of subtle acts, the posture becomes refined
and cultivates one's mind into a noble state if one's spiritual and physical balance
and physical fitness.

Gumdo also teaches a traditional martial art to enable you to handle violent or
dangerous situations.  Gumdo is a long established form of self-defense that
focuses on using one blow effectively to contain bullies and assailants, all the
while instilling confidence and character.