Kuk Sool is
beautiful and dynamic "hard-soft" style of martial
arts emphasizing speed and fluidity. At the same time it is an
elegant and powerful system which integrates the body, mind
and spirit. Kuk Sool uses physical training and forms to
develop internal power. Self defense techniques build
confidence and keep the joints supple.
Kuk
Sool Won, which can be translated as Korean National Martial
Arts Association, is a systematic study of all of the
traditional fighting arts which together comprise the martial
arts history of the Korean nation. As such, Kuk Sool Won is an
extremely well-organized system of martial arts which seeks to
integrate and explore all aspects of the traditional Korean
martial arts.
Although Kuk Sool
Won as it is practiced today is relatively new, it's roots
stretch far and deep to the very beginnings of the history of
the Korean people. As students of Kuk Sool, this early history
and the ancient traditions upon which our art is founded
should be as important to us as the physical techniques
themselves, for it is only from our understanding and
appreciation of these classical roots that we are able to grow
as students and as martial artists
Grandmaster In Hyuk Suh spent more
than 50 years in single-minded
practice and research in order to learn, compile, master and organize the more
than 3,608 techniques that comprise KUK SOOL. He founded the Kuk Sool Won
(National [Korean] Martial Arts Association) in 1961 and brought it to the
United States in 1974. The World Kuk Sool Association, headquartered in San
Francisco, California for 17 years, relocated to Houston, Texas in 1991. This
Association has since grown to include more than 1,000 member schools in Asia,
Europe, Canada, the Middle East, and the Americas, and continues to grow in
strength and numbers daily.
For self-defense, KUK SOOL is
unsurpassed. It is a beautiful and dynamic "hard-soft" style
emphasizing speed and fluidity. It covers the entire spectrum of the traditional
Asian fighting arts and techniques of body conditioning, as well as mental
development and traditional weapons training. These include (but are not limited
to):
Hand Striking
Closed and open hand striking
methods including palm, fist, finger-striking techniques and specialized
hand training techniques
Pressure-point striking
Striking using the arm and
shoulder
Blocking and parrying
Leg Techniques
Foundational kicks
Spinning kicks
Jumping kicks
Combination kicks
Double leg kicks
Pressure-point kicking
Specialty kicking
Throwing and Grappling
Body throws
Projection throws
Leg throws
Pressure-point grappling
Grappling defenses
Wrestling techniques
Ground fighting
Joint-Locking Techniques
Restraining methods
Joint-locking techniques
Combination joint-locking
Control and redirection
techniques
Arresting and
"come-along" techniques
Falling Techniques and
Acrobatics
Body conditioning and agility
techniques
Body protection techniques:
offense and defense
Animal-Style Techniques
Based on the movements and/or
characteristics of certain "martial" animals such as the Tiger,
Praying Mantis, Crane, Eagle, Snake, etc.
Traditional Korean Weapons
Sword (geum): short,
middle and long; single or double; straight or inverted
Staff (bong): short,
middle and long; single or double
Flail (jool bong)
Spear (chang)
Walking Cane (jee peng ee)
Rope (poh bahk)
Fan (bu chae)
There are 24 different
traditional Korean Royal Court weapons in the curriculum of Kuk Sool Won,
plus Buddhist and family weapons.
Martial Art Healing Methods
(Beginning at Instructor Level)
Acupressure
Acupuncture
Internal energy systems
Herbal medicine
Meditation and Breathing
Techniques
Various breath control
techniques
Meditation and breathing
postures
Concentration techniques
As you can see, Kuk Sool Won
covers an extensive variety of techniques and martial arts methods, but it
is not merely concerned with the physical methods of attack and defense. Kuk
Sool Won includes the study of healing techniques, the development of
internal power, and physical conditioning. Training in Kuk Sool Won 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 Won.
Philosophically, Kuk Sool
stresses humility, self-discipline, self-control, loyalty and respect for
others. Together, these aspects of Kuk Sool provide the means for attaining
a long and healthful life.
YOU WON HWA
The theory of YOU-WON-HWA is the
foundation of Kuk Sool Won training.
From the theory of YOU (flowing,
as in water), we learn to "go with the flow." When we are
pushed, we pull; when we are pulled, we push. Also, water symbolizes many
things, not the least of which are adaptability, softness and at the same
time, great force.
The theory of WON (circle)
acknowledges that every person has his or her own circle of "private
space." Attacks which invade this space should be redirected with
flowing and circular defensive motions. This circle should be thought of as
least resistance; always rolling (active), and therefore, difficult to hold
or grasp.
Finally, the theory of HWA
(harmony) represents the unity of mind and body. In practice, this is
accomplished through repetition. Harmony is achieved within oneself, through
a state of "emptiness" that recognizes "+" (yang)
and "-" (um) are part of one; each is there to allow the
other to exist, and cannot exist if the other part is not there.
The ramification of the theory
of YOU - WON - HWA is that as flowing water seeks a harmonious state with
its environment, constantly adapting to external changes, we should also
seek to maintain harmony within our inner circle so that all trespassers in
this space are redirected in direct proportion to the force they introduce.
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Kuk
Sool Won, which can be translated as Korean National Martial
Arts Association, is a systematic study of all of the
traditional fighting arts which together comprise the martial
arts history of the Korean nation. As such, Kuk Sool Won is an
extremely well-organized system of martial arts which seeks to
integrate and explore all aspects of the traditional Korean
martial arts.
single-minded
practice and research in order to learn, compile, master and organize the more
than 3,608 techniques that comprise KUK SOOL. He founded the Kuk Sool Won
(National [Korean] Martial Arts Association) in 1961 and brought it to the
United States in 1974. The World Kuk Sool Association, headquartered in San
Francisco, California for 17 years, relocated to Houston, Texas in 1991. This
Association has since grown to include more than 1,000 member schools in Asia,
Europe, Canada, the Middle East, and the Americas, and continues to grow in
strength and numbers daily.
