Kuk Sool Won™ is a systematic study of all of the traditional fighting arts, which together comprise the martial arts history of Korea. As a martial arts system, Kuk Sool Won™ is exteremely well-organized; and seeks to integrate and explore the entire spectrum of established Asian fighting arts and body conditioning techniques, as well as mental development and traditional weapons training. The following list includes some, but by no means all, of the elements of Kuk Sool Won™.
HAND TECHNIQUES
Closed and open hand striking methods, including: palm, fist,
wrist, finger, and specialized hand training techniques
Pressure point striking
Striking with arm and shoulder
Blocking and parrying
LEG TECHNIQUES
Fundamental kicks, including: front, inside, outside, & more
Throws include: body throws, projection throws, hip
throws, leg throws
Pressure point grappling
Grappling defense
Wrestling techniques
Ground fighting
JOINT LOCK TECHNIQUES
Restraining methods
Joint breaking techniques
Combination joint locking
Control and redirection techniques
Arresting and pain-compliance techniques
FALLING AND ACROBATICS
Body conditioning and agility techniques.
Body protection techniques.
Acrobatics for defense and offense.
BODY CONDITIONING
Overall stretching and flexibility training
Cardiovascular conditioning
Muscle toning
Ligament and tendon strengthening
Joint flexibility and bone conditioning
ANIMAL-STYLE TECHNIQUES
Techniques based on the movements and/or characteristics
of certain "martial" animals such as:
Tiger
Praying Mantis
Crane
Dragon
Snake
Bear
Eagle
TRADITIONAL KOREAN WEAPONS
Sword: short & long, single or double, straight or inverted
Staff: short, middle & long, single or double
Jointed Staff (flail): double or triple
Spear
Cane
Rope
Fan
Bow & Arrow
There are 24 different traditional Korean Royal Court weapons in
the curriculum of Kuk Sool Won™
MARTIAL ART HEALING METHODS
Acupressure
Acupuncture
Internal energy systems
Herbal medicine
MEDITATION AND BREATHING
Various breath control techniques
Meditation and breathing postures
Concentration techniques
As you can see, Kuk Sool Won™ covers an extensive variety of martial art techniques. But it is not merely concerned with methods of attack and defense, Kuk Sool Won™ also includes the study of healing techniques and the development of internal power, in addition to the physical training. Mental development is of equal importance in Kuk Sool Won™ and helps to instill self-confidence and self-discipline, a calm self-assurance, and the psychological and spiritual values which are traditionally associated with the character of a martial artist.
Although Kuk Sool Won™ as it is practiced today is relatively new, its roots stretch far and deep to the very beginnings of the Korean people. This early history and the ancient traditions upon which this art is founded should be viewed as important as the physical techniques themselves, for it is only from the understanding and appreciation of these classical roots that one is able to grow as a student of the martial arts.
Reviews
"Love, love , love this place! The teacher is kind and patient with the kids. My daughter loves going to class and would go everyday if she could! Highly recommend this class A++++"
Linda S Redwood City CA
“My daughter and I love the classes at RWC Martial Arts Center. The biggest factor is the quality of the teaching - patient and understanding yet always striving for excellence. We love that there is a "family class" on the schedule, where my daughter and I can learn together. This class is fast becoming one of our favorite joint activities..”
Caroline S. Palo Alto CA
Like many parents, I didn't know much about choosing a martial arts instructor. Friends who knew more pointed us to Master Hafez, some focusing on his skill as instructor and others highlighting the value of Kuk Sool as a discipline. But their advice served mostly to ratify our choice based on proximity.
Four years later, I'm certain we made the right decision, even if for the wrong reasons. The convenience has indeed been nice. I've now read up a bit more, and Kuk Sool probably is a great discipline, for a few reasons. And Master Hafez certainly is technically skilled, both as practitioner and as an instructor. But most important is his engagement with his students: His understanding of what makes each tick, his passion for seeing them succeed - in Kuk Sool and in life, and their instinctive recognition of that. Our boys who studied with Master Hafez are quite different from one another, both physically and in personality, and their experiences with him have been correspondingly different. But I'm confident that Master Hafez has left an imprint on both that will last a lifetime, both in their physical confidence and, even more, mentally.
(And yes, they've won plenty of tournament medals, progressed to black and black/brown belt etc. I suppose those are important to some. To me, those are simply reflections of their true growth, not the objective itself.)
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