KUK SOOL WONTM of Tomball, Texas
Traditional Korean Martial Arts
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KUK SOOL WONTM of Tomball, Texas Traditional Korean Martial Arts |
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Introduction to Kuk Sool Wontm
The development of Kuk Sool WonTM is a significant event in the history of Korean martial arts. In order to understand the significance and the complexity of the Kuk Sool WonTM, it is important to differentiate between a style of martial art and a system of martial art styles. Tae Kwon Do, Shotokan, Judo, Tang Sool Do, Aikido, Hapkido and so on are all different martial art styles. Kuk Sool WonTM, on the other hand, is not really a style of martial arts at all, but is instead a highly scientific, comprehensive martial arts system. This means that Kuk Sool WonTM is not limited to a particular style of martial arts, but is a systematic study of the entire Korean martial arts spectrum dating from ancient times to the present. It includes many martial art styles within its scope.
While Kuk Sool WonTM may contain certain elements specific to other styles of martial arts, it goes far beyond the ranges of other martial art styles, for example, Tae Kwon Do is mostly kicking, Judo is mostly throwing, Aikido is mostly joint-locking, etc., while Kuk Sool WonTM incorporates all of these and emphasizes each. Kuk Sool covers every aspect of the martial arts spectrum in order to give the practitioner and student an understanding of the broader range of martial arts technique and theory.
What is Kuk Sool Wontm? A Comprehensive Martial Arts System
Kuk Sool WonTM is a systematic study of all of the traditional fighting arts, which together comprise the martial arts history of Korea. As such, Kuk Sool WonTM is an extremely well organized system of martial arts which seeks to integrate and explore all aspects of the traditional Korean martial arts. As a martial arts system, Kuk Sool WonTM covers the entire spectrum of the traditional Asian fighting arts and techniques of body conditioning, as well as mental development and traditional weapons raining. These include (but are not limited to): Hand Striking utilizing both closed and open hand striking methods, as well as palm, fist, wrist, finger striking techniques and specialized hand training techniques. Pressure point striking, striking using arms and shoulders, Blocking and parrying are also studied in depth. Leg Techniques will include foundational kicks, spinning kicks, jumping kicks, combination kicks, double leg kicks, pressure point kicking and specialty kicks. Throwing and Grappling which addresses body throws, projection throws, leg throws, pressure point grappling, grappling defense, wrestling techniques and ground fighting. Joint-Locking Techniques that include restraining methods, joint breaking techniques, combination joint locking, control and redirection techniques, arresting and pain-compliance techniques. Falling Techniques and Acrobatics such as body conditioning and agility techniques, body protection techniques as well as acrobatics for defense and offense Body Conditioning, which encompasses overall stretching and flexibility training, cardiovascular conditioning, muscle toning, ligament and tendon strengthening, joint flexibility and conditioning. Animal-Style Techniques based on the movements and/or characteristics of certain “martial” animals such as Tiger… Praying Mantis… Crane… Dragon… Snake… Bear and Eagle. Traditional Korean Weapons including the sword - both short and long, single or double, straight or inverted. The staff - including short, middle and long, single or double. Jool bong (or jointed staff, double or triple) as well as the Spear, Cane, Rope and Fan. There are 24 different traditional Korean Royal Court weapons in the curriculum of Kuk Sool WonTM plus Buddhist and Tribal weaponry.
Martial Art Healing Methods that are taught at the Instructor level teach Acupressure, Acupuncture, Internal energy systems and Herbal medicine.
Meditation and Breathing Techniques focus carefully on various breath control techniques, meditation and breathing postures as well as concentration techniques.
Dahn Juhn Ki Bub Ki Breathing Exercises
Ki is the Korean term that “internal” training revolves around. Often described as a mysterious inner energy force, ki is the source of internal power and is tied closely to the cardiopulmonary system, i.e. breathing and blood circulation. In order to become a proficient martial artist, one must develop ki through meditation and special breathing exercises.
As you can see, Kuk Sool WonTM covers an extensive variety of techniques and martial arts methods, yet, Kuk Sool WonTM is not only concerned with the physical methods of attack and defense but also the study of healing techniques, the development of internal power and physical conditioning. Training in Kuk Sool WonTM also helps to instill self-confidence and self-discipline, a calm self-assurance, and the psychological and spiritual values which are traditionally associated with the martial character. Mental and physical well-being is of primary importance in Kuk Sool WonTM.
A Brief Outline of the Development of Korean Martial Arts and of Kuk Sool WonTM
The earliest history of the Korean martial arts is as old as the land itself. Even the mythological founder of the Korean race, Tan’gun, was said to have brought about the development of the Korean nation through martial prowess coupled with his divine origin.
More practically, however the history of the Korean martial arts can be said to have begun when the first man raised his hand in defense of himself or his family and further developed when he began to fashion crude weapons and tools out of wood and stone to use in hunting or in self-defense.
But actually recorded history of the fighting arts of Korea begins some time later. Virtually all of the traditional Asian fighting arts can be identified as emerging from three important sub-groups.
These are: 1. Sah Doh Mu Sool: Tribal clan of Family Martial Arts 2. Bool Kyo Mu Sool: Buddhist Temple Martial Arts 3. Koong Joong Mu Sool: Korean Royal Court Martial Arts
Kuk Sool WonTM Arrival in the United States(Establishment of World Kuk Sool Association)
Just as 1961 is an historic year for the Korean martial arts with the establishment of Kuk Sool Won, so 1973 was an historic year for the birth of the traditional Korean martial arts (Kuk Sool) in the United States. It was in this year that Kuk Sa Nim’s first American student, Mr. Kenneth Duncan, persuaded him to bring Kuk Sool WonTM to this country. After a great deal of paperwork and tons of bureaucratic red tape had been settled with the United States Immigration department, Kuk Sa Nim (accompanied by two assistants) arrived in Los Angeles, California on September 11, 1974.
Kuk Sa Nim was met upon his arrival y his sponsor and student, Kenneth Duncan, and after a brief stay in Los Angeles they proceeded to New Orleans, where the first official Kuk Sool WonTM school had been opened prior to the Grandmaster’s arrival. After a short period of observation and study, during which time Kuk Sa Nim familiarized himself with the American people and their culture. The Grandmaster moved to San Francisco, California. Here he established he World Kuk Sool Association Headquarters School in February of 1975.
After fifteen years of teaching only instructors and masters, Kuk Sa Nim began teaching underbelt (i.e. below black belt) students in the Headquarters school. Because there were only a few Kuk Sool Won instructors in the United States at that time, Kuk Sa Nim once more set about the task of training students to instructor and master level. Since first opening the World Kuk Sool Association Headquarters in San Francisco, Kuk Sa Nim has traveled extensively throughout the United States. He has conducted lectures, seminars and demonstrations, we well as personally testing each black belt candidate (who must be tested before the Grandmaster in order to receive their black belt ranking).
Unlike so many martial arts, Kuk Sa Nim is not one to degrade other martial arts or martial artists. It is his belief that the practice of any type of traditional martial art is beneficial. He has worked closely with martial artists of many different styles, inviting them to participate in the Kuk Sool WonTM Tournament and Master’s Demonstration that has been held annually in the United States for many years. Kuk Sa Nim’s goal is promote all martial arts as personal and cultural forms of development and expression.
In addition to his encyclopedic knowledge of martial arts (having been referred to by at least one source, as a “living history o the Korean martial arts”), grandmaster Suh is also widely sought after for his extensive knowledge and understanding of Asian healing techniques, such as acupuncture and acupressure. One of the world’s leading authorities on the use of acupressure and ki for healing, Kuk Sa Nim has been responsible in many cases for bringing about remarkable cures in patients who had been deemed incurable by both Western and Oriental medical doctors alike. As Kuk Sa Nim says, real martial arts is much more than fighting, “a martial artists must know how to heal as well as hurt an opponent in order to be complete martial artist.
Kuk Sa Nim has been frequently honored by major martial art periodicals. In 1984 he was named Black Belt Magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’. In 1988, Inside Kung Fu awarded him the title ‘Instructor of the Year’ and in 1993, Tai Kwon Do Times designated him ‘Master of the Year’.
Kuk Sa Nim continues to travel actively in the United States and abroad in order to promote the traditional Korean martial arts and Kuk Sool Won. He has been honored by officials in a number of countries besides the United States (e.g. Great Britain, Canada, etc.) and holds the ‘Keys” of many cities throughout the United States (including Houston, New Orleans, Phoenix, etc.). An honorary Kuk Sool WonTM black belt was recently presented to Prince Charles of Great Britain, the first time he has ever accepted an award of this type.
In October of 1991, the World Kuk Sool WonTM Headquarters School was relocated from San Francisco to Houston, Texas. This move was undertaken because of the rapid proliferation of Kuk Sool Won schools and clubs throughout the United States. Kuk Sa Nim felt that a more central location would make it more convenient for Kuk Sool WonTM Instructors and students from all over the United States and Canada to have access to training at the Headquarters school.
According to the Inside Kung Fu article which accompanied Kuk Sa Nim’s Instructor of the Year award (in the 1988 Inside Kung Fu Yearbook), Kuk Sool WonTM is “one of the fastest growing martial arts in the world”, with over 70 schools and 10,000 students in the United States alone. By 1992, four years later, Kuk Sool Won had grown to over 100 schools in the United States.
It is our hope that Kuk Sool WonTM will continue to grow and prosper, so that one day everyone will have the opportunity to experience and practice this vital and exciting martial art.
Etiquette in Kuk Sool WonTM
Since Kuk Sool WonTM is a traditional Korean martial art, etiquette plays an extremely important role in developing the martial art character of the student. Following the rules of etiquette develops self-control which is an essential prerequisite to advanced martial art training. Proper etiquette demonstrates respect for the art, for one’s instructors and for one’s fellow students. In act, etiquette is the first section of the Kuk Sool WonTM Progress Chart and is the single most important requirement to be eligible for further training in Kuk Sool.
Bowing is one of the most visible manifestations of martial arts etiquette. Unfortunately, it is also the concept most often misunderstood by the beginning student. Western culture, in particular, has typically had little experience with the act of bowing. Those experiences are, by and large, associated with either some form of worship, or with subservience or an admission of inferiority. For this reason, the Western mind often reacts to the idea of bowing with a host of (at best) ambiguous or (at worst) completely negative feelings. In the East, however, the vow is not seen as a sign of subservience at all, but rather as a sign of respect and more mundanely, as a simple method of greeting. The Asian bow is, in many ways similar to the Western handshake or to the military salute.
Mohm Puhl Ki Body Conditioning Exercises
Mohm Puhl Ki is a specific set of body conditioning exercises that we do in Kuk Sool. These exercises are designed to move each of the 164 joints in the body to their full range of motion. Mohm Puhl Ki represents a basic set of exercises with a specific goal.
It is important to understand that the goal of these exercises is not just stretching the muscles to improve flexibility. Rather, it to condition the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints so that they adapt to doing the kinds of movements specific to martial arts. For example, in doing kicks, certain muscles have to be relaxed in order to achieve full extension of the kick. Mohm Puhl Ki helps the muscles achieve the appropriate state of tension or relatation for martial arts practice. If you have other goals, such as increasing strength or flexibility, you may wish to supplement Mohm Phul Ki with additional exercises.
Practice of Mohm Puhl Ki need not be limited to the dojahng (martial art school). Mohm Puhl Ki can also be practiced at home or office. For example, you can do the neck stretching exercises at the office or the leg stretching exercises while watching television at home.
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