KUK SOOL WON: Introduction

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO Kuk Sool Won

The name Kuk Sool Won, is best understood by breaking it down into its three parts:

'Kuk': is Korean which translates to mean Nation State or Country.

'Sool': means Martial Art Technique, but the implied meaning goes deeper than techniques. It includes the mental, spiritual, cultural and philosophical heritage of Korean Martial Arts.

'Won': means institution or association.

So we can translate Kuk Sool Won to mean National (in this case Korean) Martial Arts Association.

The roots of Kuk Sool date back to the very beginning of Korea with Sahdoh Moo Sool, which means Family or Tribal Martial Art. The next development was Booldoh Moo Sool which means Buddhist Martial Art. Shortly afterwards came Koong Joong Moo Sool which means Royal Court Martial Art. These are the three segments of Korean life and history which the techniques of Kuk Sool evolved from.

Today's modern Kuk Sool is not a style or type of martial art, but a systematic study of Korea's Martial Art techniques that date from ancient to present time.

Kuk Sool, as organised by Kuk Sa Nim (Korean National Martial Art Teacher) Suh In Hyuk, has three levels of study: Student level; Instructor level; and Master level. Each level of study has a specific lesson plan which has been systematically outlined from a basic level progressing upwards. Kuk Sool lesson plans are patterned along the principle of our education system. A comparison would go as follows: Ki Cho is pre-school level (Foundation); Cho Geup is junior school level; Joong Geup is middle school level; Go Geup is high school level; and Dae Geup is college level. These are all within the student lesson plan. Completion of the first or Student level plan is the Martial art equivalent of a college degree. Completion of the Instructor level plan is the Martial art equivalent of a university's master’s degree. The third or Master level plan is equivalent to the university level doctorate (Ph.D.) degree. It is a course, of study that can be pursued over an entire lifetime.

The basis of Kuk Sool is the building and use of Ki (internal power). Hence, Kuk Sool is classified as an internal Martial Art system. However, to classify Kuk Sool under any one name is an error because of its vastness. To be correct, one must say Kuk Sool is: Internal, External, Hard and Soft Martial Art. Kuk Sool is kicking, punching, throwing, joint-locking, pressure points, falling, choking, weapons, physical fitness, mental control, meditation, breathing, acupressure and acupuncture. These are some, not all of the technique categories contained within Kuk Sool Won. Most cannot be listed because they are still secret.

Kuk Sool leg technique, Jok Sool uses all types of kicking, sweeping and grappling motions. It has a total of 68 different kicks with several variations for each and literally hundreds of different kicking combinations. Punching includes open and closed hands, using all parts of the hand, arm and shoulders for attack and defence. Throwing, joint-locking and choking utilise every part of the body to form an enormous variety of Soo, or technique. To be exact, Kuk Sool contains 3608 Soo. Falling and some acrobatics are an important aspect in escape, evasion and self-protection against a variety of attacks, as well as building a strong and agile body both internally and externally.

Pressure points are used in striking and grabbing. Attacking pressure points properly can be painful, paralyzing or even able to cause death, depending on the strength and precision of the attack. Pressure points are also used in acupressure and acupuncture for healing. Breathing, mental control and meditation are taught to help develop and learn how to use Ki. A strong Ki will mean a healthier and longer life. Learning to control and use a strong Ki will make a superior martial artist.

Kuk Sool weapons date back to the time when man used stone throwing as a method of self-defence as well as to kill small animals for food. Over the course of Korean history many different types of weapons evolved. Of these 24 major weapons, there are as many variations as there are masters who used them.

To explain the many different categories within Kuk Sool it would take at least one volume for each category. Kuk Sool is a martial art of the past, present and future. It contains a benefit for everyone who practices it no matter what age, background or sex.

MORE ABOUT KUK SOOL "KI HAK"

For more than 60 centuries the philosophy of Ki has been studied and developed by martial artists and monks. This philosophy has not been recorded in written form, but has been verbally handed down from generation to generation. Each person possesses a pre-birth Ki and later develops a post-birth Ki. There are a number of steps and the preparation for the final stage of Ki; some of them spiritual, some physical (e.g. certain methods of breathing. The withdrawal of all senses from reaction to stimuli, and finally, higher stages of consciousness). The combination of physical exercise and higher mental activity is an excellent training for the development of will-power and concentration and thus is actually helpful for spiritual contemplation.

Ki helps in attaining knowledge, so that the separate categories of matter and soul may be connected to such a degree that the soul can influence matter or, to a certain extent, even negate it. If this stage is achieved, one is able to accomplish superhuman feats in regard to freedom from disease and longevity far beyond normal expectance.

Early pioneers in the development of Ki include three monk martial artists named Won Hyoh Sobsahn and Sah Myuhng Duhng. Monk Won Hyoh studied and used Hyohl Buhb and Whahl Buhb techniques to heal people suffering from terminal maladies. The latter two monks further developed these two techniques and incorporated them with Jahng Soo Yahng Sahng Buhb and Oh Kwahn Buhb to finally reach Doh In Buhb the method for achieving extended longevity of the individual. Latter, successors further developed these concepts by incorporating them with Dahn Ryuhk Tahn Ryuhk and Soo Jahng Buhb to finally complete the philosophy of Ki.