What is Kuk Sool?

The romantic origins of Kuk Sool date back to the very beginning of Korea starting with “Sah Doh Mu Sool” which means family or tribal martial art. The next martial art to develop was “Koong Joong Mu Sool,” or “Royal Court Martial Art.” Shortly afterwards came “Bull Gyo Mu Sool,” which refers to the martial arts practiced in the Buddhist temples during ancient times. These are the three segments of Korean martial arts history from which the techniques of Kuk Sool are derived.

So it can be said that Kuk Sool is an extensive martial arts system which is derived from the rich and varied martial art techniques and traditions that have arisen in Korea throughout the ages. Realize that Kuk Sool is not considered a sport, nor is it simply another oriental self defense method, it is a comprehensive martial art that is dedicated to the cultivation of mental and physical well-being and to the preservation of traditional Korean Martial Arts.

For self defense, Kuk Sool is unsurpassed. It combines kicking, punching, throwing, falling, choking, joint-locking and a myriad of weapons techniques into a beautiful and dynamic style that emphasizes speed and fluidity. In conjunction with the physical training, the use of acupressure & acupuncture as well as certain breathing techniques & meditation, is employed to improve and maintain health, develop internal power, and retard the aging process.

Philosophically, Kuk Sool stresses humility, self discipline, loyalty and respect for others. Together, all of these aspects allow Kuk Sool to provide the means for attaining a long and healthy life.

As a martial arts system, Kuk Sool covers the entire spectrum of the established Asian fighting arts and body conditioning techniques, as well as mental development and traditional weapons training. These include (but are not limited to):

 
  HAND TECHNIQUES
  • Closed and open hand striking methods, utilizing:
    back or side of the hand, wrist, palm, fingers, fingertips & fist;
    also included are special hand conditioning exercises
  • Striking with forearm, elbow, and shoulder
  • Pressure point striking
  • Blocking and parrying
 
  LEG TECHNIQUES
  • Fundamental kicks
  • Spinning kicks
  • Jumping kicks
  • Combination kicks
  • Double-leg kicks (i.e. kicking with both legs simultaneously)
  • Pressure point kicking
  • Specialty kicking
 
  THROWING and GRAPPLING
  • Body throws
  • Projection throws
  • Leg throws
  • Pressure point grappling
  • Grappling defense
  • Wrestling techniques
  • Ground fighting
 
  JOINT-LOCKING TECHNIQUES
  • Restraining methods
  • Joint breaking techniques
  • Multiple/Combination joint-locking
  • Escorting techniques (which use control and redirection and
    rely on exact methods of joint manipulation and pain-compliance)
 
  FALLING TECHNIQUES and ACROBATICS
  • Landing postures and other body protection techniques
  • Conditioning the body for impact resistance
  • Agility training
  • 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

    •    etc.
 
  TRADITIONAL KOREAN WEAPONS
  • Blade-only Weapons:
    • Short Sword
    • Long Sword
    both with variations of single or twin swords, using either
    a straight or inverted grip
  • Pole-only Weapons:
    • Short Staff
    • Middle Staff
    • Long Staff
    all used singly or as twin weapons
  • Pole-Blade Weapons:
    • Spear
    • Moon-Blade (a unique type of halberd)
    • Battle Axe (single or twin weapon variations)
  • Other Assorted Weapons:
    • Jointed Staff (flail), with variations of 2 or 3 sections
    • Knife-Throwing (thrown gripping the blade, not the handle)
    • Hooked-end Walking Cane
    • Rope or Sash (for entangling and/or tying up adversaries)
    • Folding Fan (often made with lethal enhancements)
    • Bow and Arrow (using a traditional “thumb-draw”)

    NOTE: There are 24 different traditional Korean Royal Court weapons
    in the curriculum of Kuk Sool plus Buddhist and Tribal weaponry.
 
  MARTIAL ART HEALING METHODS
  • 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 covers an extensive variety of martial art techniques. But it is not merely concerned with methods of attack and defense. Kuk Sool 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 and helps to instill confidence and self-discipline, a calm self-assurance, and the ethical and philosophic values which are usually associated with the character of a martial artist.

Although Kuk Sool 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 truly able to grow as a student of the martial arts.