What is Kuk Sool Won? A brief modern history

Kuk Sool Won, which can be translated as National (Korean) 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 a martial arts system, Kuk Sool Won covers the entire spectrum of the traditional Asian fighting arts and techniques of body conditioning, as well as mental development and tradition weapons training. These include (but are not limited to):

· Hand Striking
1) Closed and open hand striking methods: including palm, fist, wrist, finger striking techniques and specialized hand training techniques.
2) Pressure point striking
3) Striking using arm and shoulder
4) Blocking and parrying

· Leg Techniques
1) Foundational Kicks
2) Spinning kicks
3) Jumping kicks
4) Combination kicks and double leg kicks
5) Pressure point kicking
6) Specialty kicks

· Throwing and Grappling
1) Body throws
2) Projection throws
3) Leg throws
4) Pressure point grappling
5) Grappling defense
6) Wrestling techniques
7) Ground fighting

· Joint-Locking Techniques
1) Restraining methods
2) Joint breaking techniques
3) Combination joint-locking
4) Control and redirection techniques
5) Arresting and “come along” techniques

· Falling Techniques and Acrobatics
1) Body conditioning and agility techniques
2) Body protection techniques
3) Acrobatics for defense and offense

• Body Conditioning
1) Overall stretching and flexibility training.
2) Cardiovascular conditioning.
3) Muscle training.
4) Ligament and tendon strengthening.
5) Joint Flexibility and conditioning.

• Animal-Style Techniques
Techniques based on the movements and/or characteristics of certain “martial” animals such as Tiger, Preying Mantis, Crane, Dragon, Snake, etc.

• Traditional Korean Weapons
1) Sword: short, middle, and long, single or double, straight or inverted.
2) Staff: short, middle and long, single or double
3) Jool bong.
4) Spear.
5) Cane.
6) Rope.
7) Fan.
There are 24 different traditional Korean Royal Court weapons in the curriculum of Kuk Sool Won (plus Buddhist and family weaponry).

• Martial Arts Healing Methods (beginning at Instructor Level)
1) Acupressure.
2) Acupuncture.
3) Internal energy systems.
4) Herbal medicine

• Meditation and Breathing Techniques
1) Various breath control techniques.
2) Meditation and breathing postures.
3) 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.

Although Kuk Sool Won as it is practiced today is relatively new, its roots stretch far and deep to the very beginnings of the history of the Korean people. As students of Kuk Sool Won, this early history and the ancient traditions upon which our art is founded should be as important to us a s 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.
(For a more depth study of the origin of Kuk Sool Won see Kuk Sool Won Textbook Vol. І.)