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Re: Re: A few thoughts about Oom Yung Doe
Re: Re: A few thoughts about Oom Yung Doe -- Robert Hamburger Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: Cathy ®
02/15/2003, 13:12:44
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:=I came across this message board and I just want to share a few thoughts about Oom Yung Doe. I trained at Oom Yung Doe for a year, I found the training to be strong and beneficial. I enjoyed training and I am glad I chose Oom Yung Doe to pursue martial arts training. There is alot of negative information regarding Oom Yung Doe and its practices and in my time there I never experienced any of the things I have read about. Oom Yung Doe is not a cult or a con, I was never pressured to do anything and the accusations regarding brainwashing and mind-control are completely ridiculous. I think alot of this confusion stems from people not having a full understanding of traditional martial arts. The Instructors always treated myself and the other students with the utmost care and respect. They were honest and always carried themselves with honor and integrity. People have made statements that they were harrassed or threatened when they left the school, but the instructors I trained under were supportive and encouraging, even when I decided to leave the school to pursue other interests. I was never afraid of being harmed for leaving. People have also made claims that Oom Yung Doe does not support education and advises students not to attend college. That is completely untrue, at the school I trained at they even give out awards to students for their academic accomplishments in higher education. I have had lessons with some of the National Instructors and they have a remarkable level of skill and ability. It was clearly evident that they have a deep understanding of traditional martial arts. I'm not trying to say that Oom Yung Doe is better than other schools or styles, but I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to develop themselves mentally and physically. Sincerely, Cathy.

Thanks, Cathy, I'm glad you're experience with OYD was a good one. That is not the case with everyone. Also, it sounds like you are a relatively recent student. Those here practiced in many cases ten years ago, when the organization was Vastly different. I also studied OYD for a year. While I too enjoyed my training, and found the movement beneficial, I was struck by several things. If you'd trained recently, you probably saw the same things I did.

1. The instructors were miserly with their instruction. What I mean by this is, since I was on a payment plan, they would tell me that even though I was physically ready for additional sets in Pal Gae for example, they COULD NOT TEACH IT TO ME UNTIL I MADE MY NEXT PAYMENT. Now, I was under contract for one year, so what were they afraid of?

2. At the end of every class, during the closing exercises, there was a sales pitch. It could be for a Sae Gae Moo Do, or ther herb, or the retreat, or for international training. Also, I would miss the majority of some classes that I PAID for, so that they could push the benefits of international training on me. This kind of hucksterism should be left outside of lessons.

3. I'm sorry, but I have to take issue with the honor and integrity. I've been in meetings with national instructors (who were convicted fellons)who told easily verifiable lies, to convince students to sign up for international training. That was the last straw for me.

Again, I'm glad you had a beneficial experience with OYD. In many ways, I did too. But their single minded pursuit of my dollars turned me off. Now they are pressuring people to sign 3 year contracts that are unbreakable. If they are on the up and up, why force contracts at all. If the instruction and experience is worth it, and has value, people will keep coming and paying.

Thanks for sharing your opinion, but I disagree with many of your comments. Yes I am a relatively new student, I trained
about 2 years ago, I understand that things may have been different a long time ago, but if they were they are not that way anymore so I don't understand why peolple keep bringing up the same issues.
1. I was never in a situation where I was not taught something until I made my next payment. I was even given some 5th section movements as a 3rd section, we were given new movements based on our ability and learning pace, not our wallets.
2. I can honestly say I was never given a sales pitch at the end of a lesson.
3. You mention National Instructors telling verifiable lies to students, I'm not sure as to what you are referring to, but I've met many of the National Instructors and never felt as if I was being lied to or misled.
The reason they have contracts is because Oom Yung Doe only wants to train serious students that will be committed to their training. There are plenty of punch and kick schools out there that you can train at for $30 a month and not have to sign a contract, if thats the kind of training someone wants they can easily go there, but if you are looking for serious and traditional martial arts training there needs to be a commitment made. I trained with students who left for various personal reasons(ie:moving, transferring to a college/job out of state, family issues etc...)and the instructors were always more than willing to sit down and discuss the situation. I think in every situation they were allowed to break contract. Oom Yung Doe has absolutely no obligation to do so under the contract, but if the situation is sincere they will not turn their backs on you. The whole thing comes down to how you handle yourself, if you storm in demanding a refund or out of the contract, honestly i wouldn't deal with you either, but if you sit down with your instructor and express sincere concerns then they will always try to help you. I know because I was in that exact situation.
I'm not sayig that you are a liar, I just didn't experience any of the things you mentioned. I trained at a Minnesota school, where did you train? Thanks again for your response.
Cathy





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