Haidong Martial Arts Academy

About Haidong Martial Arts Academy

Haidong Martial Arts was founded in 2002 by Masters Park and Master Oh in Levittown, PA.  After teaching hundreds of students the arts of Gumdo and Tae Kwon Do, Masters Park and Oh bequeathed the teaching responsibilities to Master Dr. Frank Bergman and Chris Koch. 

                        

                     Master Park                                                                           Master Oh

Haidong Martial Arts Academy was founded in 2008 as a not profit 501 Educational Corporation.  It's mission is:

v  To foster the Haidong Gumdo education, to maintain charity and to promote patriotism.

v  To encourage understanding of the Korean and American culture, to encourage high scholarship in school.

v  To assist in the building of character, to promote school loyalties.

v  To perpetuate friendships, to cement social ties within its membership.

And to foster the maintenance of the Dojang by and for its members

Master Park and Oh are now concentrating on their own personal development and travelling to train other school owners and Gumdo Masters.

Classes are taught every Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Hope Lutheran Church, 2600 Haines Rd., Levittown PA

Our Instructors

Dr. Frank Bergman is our lead instructor and our Master Instructor -  Sabum Nim. Dr. Bergman D.C, D.A.B.C.O, F.A.C.O has maintained a Chiropractic Office in Levittown for over 30 years. He has studied martial arts since 1972 and has trained in Tai Chi, Aikido, Hapkido, Tae Kwon Do and of course Haidong Gumdo. Dr. Bergman holds a Masters 3rd Dan in Gumdo and Masters rank 4th Dan in Tae Kwon Do and has been teaching this art for over 20 years. Dr. Bergman competed at the 2008 World Gumdo Games in Korea where he also had the opportunity to study the people and culture of Korea. Dr Bergman lives in Levittown with his wife and has two daughters who also hold the Black Belt in TKD.

Mr. Chris Koch is assisting Dr. Bergman and is serving as our training instructor - Kyo Pu Nim. Mr. Koch has studied the martial arts since 1972 including TKD and Japanese Judo. Mr. Koch is a Brown Belt in Judo and ranked 4th in the state of Indiana in 1974. He is a 1st Dan in Gumdo and working toward his Master’s rank under the training of Master D.J. Park.

Our Purpose and Expectations

Purpose of Learning Gumdo

The modern society, characterized by technology, information and globalization, has brought abundance of amenities and luxury to its members. However, it also brought corpulence, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and various diseases due to stresses.

In addition, the materialism and the individualism has spread to the society and slowly becoming serious problems. Our society demands a cure for problems but the gap between the reality and the ideals are only growing deeper. Gumdo offers a solution to the problems. Self-cultivating education and physical training of Gumdo will help the practitioners to increase confidence and patience, to relieve stresses and to build a healthy body. Through learning of etiquette, self-control, meditation and breathing exercises, the practitioners learn the ideals of loyalty, filial piety, righteousness and faithfulness.

Therefore, the objective of Gumdo is to nurture individuals to have sound minds and bodies to make a better society, by providing its unique training and education.

Fundamental Principles of Gumdo

• Patriotism : love of nation
• Filial piety : love of parent
• Courtesy : learn and behave oneself of social regulation
• Faithfulness : follow your heart’s will to spread universal faith

  

10 commandments of Gumdo

1. Quietly show respect before entering the Dojang.

2. Always keep the uniform clean and tidy.

3. Be respectful of others and maintain a proper attitude in the Dojang.

4. Do not make excessive noise or disturb the atmosphere of the Dojang.

5. Do not practice right after eating a meal.

6. Do not practice or even enter the Dojang under influence of alcohol.

7. Regard the sword as your life and be respectful when handling it

8. Keep the Dojang clean at all times.

9. Do not criticize or look down on other martial arts.

10.  A student trying to master sword techniques should maintain an open mind and should not be jealous or easily agitated.

Student Oath and Pledge

As a Student of Haidong Martial Arts Academy, I swear to uphold and strive to emulate the following ideals:

Courtesy – I will always treat others, as I would like to be treated.  I will be polite, respectful and considerate of others.  I will address my instructors and fellow students as Sir/Miss/Ma’am and to bow to all before and after each class.

Integrity – I will keep the promises I make.  My word is my bond. I will be trustworthy in the eyes of others.  I will be honest with myself.  I will always stand for and do what I know is right.

Perseverance -  I will keep working toward my goals and I will obtain my dreams no matter how hard or far away they seem

Self-control – I will always strive to do my best; focus my thoughts and control my physical and mental reactions.  Loss of my self-control is disastrous both in sparring and personal affairs.

Indomitable spirit – I will never, never give up, not even when faced with insurmountable odds.  I will have unbeatable spirit. If I get knocked down either mentally or physically, I will always get back on my feet.  Knocked down 7 time, get back up 8 times.