Kuk Sool
The name Kuk Sool, is best understood by breaking it down into its two 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.
So we can translate Kuk Sool to mean National (in this case Korean) Martial Arts. Kuk Soo 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.