Indian Clubs Academy SEOUL Camp 2016
Hosted by Joohyun Kim and Haneol Kim | Soma and Body
I have just got back from the Indian Clubs Academy SEOUL Camp 2016 Korea, where I ran and Indian Clubs workshop and a Gada/Mace workshop 5/6 November 2016. I was very fortunate to have a very willing and able group of students for both workshops, who easily picked up the basics of Indian Clubs and swinging the Gada.
DAY 1. On arrival I met up with Joohyun Kim
We made our way into the centre of Seoul to drop off my luggage and have a quick shower after a 15 hour journey to Korea via Kuala Lumpur. There is a one hour time difference between Perth Western Australia and Seoul Korea, which meant no jet lag, a big plus.
Lunch time
Next, it was time for lunch, and I have to say that it’s great to meet up with someone like Joohyun Kim who has local knowledge and could take me to a restaurant which specialises in local cuisine.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Following lunch it was time to soak up some local culture and visit Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, built in 1395 it was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. The Palace has 7700 rooms and is built and designed on the architectural principles of ancient Korea. Sadly the palace was destroyed by Imperial Japan in the early 20th century, however the good news is that it is currently gradually being rebuilt to its former glory.
Photo by Joon-Young, Kim(Seoul, Korea) ko:사용자:영이 – ko:그림: KPK-KeunJeongMoon.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1633940
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DAY 2. Indian Clubs talk and demonstration
Indian Clubs talk and demonstration FRIDAY evening at Soma and Body, here is the link to the video that was recorded Facebook Live .
Indian Clubs Academy SEOUL Camp 2016
DAY 3. Indian Clubs Workshop and Certification
Indian Clubs Academy SEOUL Camp 2016. Indian Clubs Workshop and Certification Testing SATURDAY. 15 people attended the Indian Clubs workshop, which started with:-
- Safety
- Theory on planes of movement
- How to stand
- How to hold a club and change grip
- A warm up, and then learning and practicing basic circles with focus on hand manipulation and elbow movements.
- Moving on, swinging two circles in succession and creating a combination, first one arm and them both arms.
- Natural transitions. Swinging clubs and turning the body without stopping the clubs.
- Forced transitions. Swinging clubs without turning by stalling clubs to change from one type of swing to another.
 Hammer Grip |
 Hammer Grip |
 Sabre Grip |
 Ring Grip |
Certification Testing (individual)
Each student was individually tested at the end of the day, where they had to demonstrate both their knowledge and technique in swinging Indian Clubs.
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The Indian Clubs Workshop Group
Indian Clubs made up ready for the workshop
Joohyun Kim and Haneol Kim went to great lengths to have Indian Clubs made up ready for the workshop.
Two sizes of club were made from maple, a 1lb x 17” club and a 1.5lb x 19” club. These clubs are for sale via Soma and Body. I have used both sizes and think that they are excellent.
The Indian Clubs shown below are available for purchase from Soma and Body, or contact Haneol Kim by emailing:- somaandbody@gmail.com
The prices are:-
- 1lb x 75,000 won
- 1.5lbs x 95,000 won
DAY 4. Gada/Mace Workshop
Indian Clubs Academy SEOUL Camp 2016. Gada/Mace Workshop and Certification Testing SUNDAY. 14 people showed up, we started with a demonstration and explanation of asymmetric hand grips, Gada movements and a warm up.
- Special focus on the importance of triceps extensions.
- The class moved forward to pendulum Gada swings at the back of the body, and then the 360.
- The 360 was practiced extensively in both directions, clockwise and anticlockwise.
- Then the group progressed to the 10-2’s flowed by an introduction into single handed Gada swings and how to build up to them.
- Each student was individually tested at the end of the day, where they had to demonstrate both their knowledge and technique of swinging the Gada.
Joohyun Kim and Haneol Kim made Gada’s from concrete and bamboo for the workshop.
Concrete and Bamboo Gada’s
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 …with Joohyun Kim |
 …with Haneol Kim |
The Gada Workshop Group
DAY 5. House of Strength
DAY 5. Joohyun Kim and Haneol Kim run a group called The House of Strength, which is dedicated to and based on Persian/Iranian Zurkhaneh. I enjoyed taking part in the training and sharing ideas.
I would like to thank Joohyun Kim and Haneol Kim from Soma and Body, for inviting me and your hospitality. I would also like to thank everyone who attended both the Indian Clubs and Gada workshops.
Visit YouTube:- INDIAN CLUBS and how to use them by Paul Taras Wolkowinski
FaceBook:- INDIAN CLUBS on FaceBook
