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Yes, it’s true. I am moving to Chicago.
I have accepted a job at Leapfrog Online as a Web Producer. My new job is located north of the city in Evanston, IL, but I will be living in the City.
After graduating from Purdue University in December, I retired my instructor position to Brandon JKN and moved back here to Minnesota where I kept this website and blog going. I am happy that PSBN Steffen and DBN Nicki are getting their voices heard by posting on the blog and know they will take care of all of you readers and students from around the world.
I want to say Thank You to all the readers of this blog and I hope that wherever you are, you know someone is practicing Kuk Sool somewhere else in the world. We are all Brothers and Sisters.
I will be training at Sa Bum Nim Hill’s school in Chicago, and I am really looking forward to training there. If there is anybody from there that reads this blog, I will see you soon.
There is also a possibility that I will be in the U.K. this Fall because my girlfriend will be studying abroad in London. I don’t need much more of a reason than that to come across the Atlantic and practice with some of you U.K. Kuk Soolers. So maybe this Fall we will have to arrange a place to meet and train if you are from the U.K.
If you want or need to contact me in the future my personal email is maxkpage [at] gmail [dot] com, I also run my personal website at www.maxkpage.com
In the future, I would like to start another Kuk Sool Blog or my own school so you may hearing from me again on the Net. Until then, We all need more practice. Thanks for reading and keep it up for PSBN Steffen and DBN Nicki.
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 Every once in a while I see a story about a real-life self-defense incident that just makes me smile. Recently I read a perfect story from Lighthouse Point Florida.
Apparently back belt and marathon runner by the name of Margot Foster, 53, came home and found a man (aged 24) ransacking her house. The surprised thief tried to flee but she tackled him outside her house. The thief was able to free himself and then flee. However, Margot gave chase until the burglar tried to clear a six-foot-high wooden fence. Then, in her own words, she, “grabbed him by the neck, ripped him off the fence, threw him to the ground, and put her knee to his chest.” She then held him until the police arrived.
The image just makes me smile. I can just see this man trying to flee as this woman of twice his age easily keeps up with him, runs him down, and then literally throws him to the ground like the proverbial sack of potatoes.
Margot was quoted as saying, “I was a victim when I walked in. As soon as I walked out he became my victim because I was taking care of the situation.” That is Indomitable Spirit!
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50,000 push ups. 50,000 crunches. 5,000 techniques. 15 minutes of daily meditation. 1,000 acts of kindness. A reading list, wrongs to be righted, relationships to be mended, and writing assignments. Are you exhausted yet? This is the Ultimate Black Belt Test. A program designed by Master Tom Callos, the Ultimate Black Belt Test (UBBT) is a series of physical, written, reading, social, and mental challenges designed to transform those who accept the challenge. I like that word, “transform.” I’m generally pretty pleased with myself as a person (sometimes a little too pleased), but I am intrigued by the idea of transforming myself. So, I’m taking up the gauntlet informally. I’ve modified the list a tad to fit better — I need to practice my techniques more often, so I’ve got a daily technique requirement. But I’m not taking things off just because I don’t like them or think I’ll be able to do them. Like those push ups. It breaks down to 150 a day and Sundays off. Not too hard, right? The first day wasn’t. But I spent all day yesterday racing around, moving things, shuttling kids, forgetting to eat, cleaning, and somehow those 150 push ups slipped by me. So, 300 today. Have you tried doing 300 really good push ups in a day? No knees, no wuss ups. It’s pretty damn tough, even 10 at a time. But I want to transform. I don’t think it’ll be dramatic — you’ll still recognize me at the end of 13 months. But I might be a little fitter, a little less prone to injury, a little calmer, a little nicer. And I’ll blog about it along the way, so you can judge how I’m doing. Want to join me? Check out the requirements at: www.ubbtrequirements.com/requirements_2008.html. Then let me know how you’re doing.
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We here at Kuk Sool Won of St Paul are so happy for Chuck Norris the inventor and his Action Jeans. They’re pretty much better than your jeans.
* You can see more detail of the jean in the Second image below.
I don’t think the Action Jeans are still on sale but maybe if you contact Century Martial Arts Supply you may be able to get them back on the Market.
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In interviews and talks with instructors one of the recurring themes that comes up is perseverance. This sequence (done without any computer help) took 600 tries to get just once. Now think about Ki Cho Hyung. We are trying to do about a hundred (depending on how you count it) moves in a precise sequence with our body. In addition, we are trying to learn it to the point where it is reproducible. I’ve heard it said from a number of different masters that it takes 100 times to learn it, 1000 times to be able to do it, and 1,000,000 time to master it. Is it any wonder that almost every school has a sign that says, “we need more practice”?
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So I am sitting in Houston Airport waiting for my flight (we’ve been delayed three hours so far), and I’m trying not to let the frustration ruin what has been an outstanding weekend.
I have spent the last three days with my fellow instructors at the Kuk Sool Won annual instructor training. There were instructors there from all over. One even came from as far away as Japan. We were trained, helped, and coached by Kwan Jahng Nims Barry Harmon, Choon Ok Harmon, Alex Suh, and Sun Jin Suh. It was, once again, a wonderful opportunity to get ideas, learn, and correct a wide array of martial arts and business techniques. But the high point had to be Kuk Sa Nim’s speech.
Every once in a while I catch a glimpse of just how truly awesome Suh In Hyuk, Kuk Sa Nim really is. Of course, I have always known that he can do astounding things, but every once in while it hits me on a visceral level. It can be mind blowing.
This time it was Kuk Sa Nim sharing his philosophy of martial arts instruction. He said that the main points of a true martial arts instructor are: “like, love, respect”.
When he said this I was blown away. Not because I was surprised, disbelieving, or in disagreement, but because I realized that this man lives this philosophy. It is part of who he is. And we are all richer for it.
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Kuk Sool uniforms come in all shapes in sizes, but people new to Kuk Sool sometimes don’t get to see that higher level uniforms are segmented and earned through rank. In this post we will go through all the uniforms and ranks (with awesome pictures) from our Comprehensive Korea Style of Kuk Sool Won.
Regular Training Uniform
This uniform is worn by everyone that practices Kuk Sool no matter your rank. It is a plain black that has Korean writing on the back that reads “Kuk Sool Won” or something of the like. This uniform also requires you to have a patch of the Korean Flag and the Association Logo. You may also have your countries flag on the sleeve. There are some differences depending on what country you are in. In America you are not allowed to have a patch that signifies what Dojang you are form but in Korea you are allowed to have a patch that has your Dojang name on it.
The only way to distinguish rank is to look at the belt of the individual in this uniform. Colored belts are easy to determine rank. Black Belts it gets a little harder. Jo Kyo Nim and Kyo Sa Nim Ranks (1st and 2nd Degree Black belts) have the same thickness of belts. Pu Sa Bum Nim, and Up all have a thicker belt. There is a special thick white belt given to you when you promote to Kwan Jang Nim but usually they do not practice in this belt.
1st - 3rd Degree Black Belt Generals Uniform (Jo Kyo Nim, Kyo Sa Nim, and Pu Sa Bum Nim Ranks)
This uniform is formal uniform attire for tournaments and special events (ex. Demonstrations) that resembles old time Korean Generals Uniforms. At these three ranks the trim will be Silver only.
4th Degree Black Belt Generals Uniform (Sa Bum Nim Rank)
This is one of three Generals Uniforms that does not share colors with multiple ranks. The others that do not share colors across multiple ranks are 9th Degree Black Belt (Chong Kwan Jang Nim) and 10th Degree Grand Master Rank (Kuk Sa Nim). It will always have Red and Silver trim.
5th and 6th Degree Black Belt Generals Uniform (Kwan Jang Nim Rank a.k.a. Master)
Only does this uniform finally signify Master level in Kuk Sool Won. All ranks above fifth degree are referred to as Kwan Jang Nim or Master until you get up to 9th Degree and 10th Degree. The Red trim only signifies Master level achieved as years and years and years of training.
7th and 8th Degree Black Belt Generals Uniform (Kwan Jang Nim Rank)
Still called Kwan Jang Nim or Master, these Masters are the elite of Kuk Sool Won. Only those truly dedicated and passionate about Kuk Sool Won can achieve these ranks through constant practice and teaching. The uniform has Red and Gold Trim.
9th Degree Black Belt Generals Uniform (Chong Kwan Jang Nim a.k.a. Chiefmaster)
Chong Kwan Jang Nim or Chiefmaster are only second to our beloved Grandmaster Kuk Sa Nim. Their Uniform has only Gold Trim for those who taught many to Master level.
10th Degree Black Belt Uniform (Kuk Sa Nim a.k.a. Grandmaster)
The Founder and head of the World Kuk Sool Won Association is Kuk Sa Nim In Hyuk Suh. Kuk Sool!
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Posted by Max Jo Kyo NimArticles on February-26-2008 |
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 Now any Kuk Sooler can enjoy our favorite Korean specialty in space thanks to the new Korean Astronaut and the country’s research.
Here is an excerpt from the article about the space food breakthrough Read the rest of this entry »
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* True Account by Head Instructor Steffen Kellogg from Kuk Sool Won of St Paul, Minnesota
I have always loved stories of Kuk Sool being successfully used in self-defense. But until recently I had not been in an altercation that went to the extreme of actual physical confrontation. I had always been able to talk my way out of confrontation or just project enough of an aura of confidence to deter attackers. Last night that all changed…
First a little back ground on the philosophy of self-defense that I teach. Seth Hicks Pu Sa Bum Nim (Kuk Sool Won of Urbana-Champaign and Purdue University) and I were once discussing how we teach self-defense. We were both in agreement but he had the better presentation; so I stole his presentation idea. Since then I’ve taught the three pillars of self-defense: Etiquette, self-control, and lastly, the physical techniques of self-defense.
- Etiquette
- Self-Control
- Physical Techniques
I tell my students that 90% of possible confrontations can be avoided with good etiquette. And that of that 10% left over, another 90% can be avoided simply by being able to control our body, breathing, and emotions. Projecting confidence, being assertive, and not letting your anger get the best of you are all parts of self-control. Each one helps to deter potential aggressors. Finally, the physical techniques are used in the last extreme to protect ourselves or others when we have tried everything else and getting away without risk is not an option.
The True Self-Defense Story
I have been apartment caretaking for about 5 and half years. In that time I’ve handled countless complaints, noise disturbances, and belligerents. So last night at 3AM when I was woken by pounding on a door and bellowing in the hall, I was more annoyed than surprised. I quickly put on my dobak pants and went out in the hall to calm things down. What I found was a man trying to kick down the door of one of my tenants. Another of the tenants had already called the police and was trying to get the belligerent to leave from a safe distance away. I could smell the alcohol on this guy from 20 feet away. I quickly interposed myself between the drunk and the door. At this point it had gone beyond caring what the drunk wanted, I was worried for the lady behind the door. I didn’t want this guy getting to her.
So I took up a conciliatory natural stance. I had both hands up feet set beneath me with my knees slightly bent. He backed off from the door, and started making odd squaring off gestures like he wanted to be in a fighting stance but had only seen one in a Bruce Lee movie. That didn’t bother me as long as he was out range and not armed. I started trying to calm him. Calling him sir, trying to tell him the police were on the way (he thought they would help him), telling him that he needed to either leave or calm down, that there was no way he was going into that apartment. Normally this is all it takes. The guy had nothing to lose, he didn’t have friends watching, there was no face to lose, but he still wouldn’t leave.
His next tactic was to mock me. Self-control was the name of the day. I don’t lose anything by accepting mocking (Especially by someone that drunk). He started to advance on me and I dropped my left foot back enough to be in a more defensive stance. Still at this point I did not want to hurt him. I just wanted to stall him until the police could get there. Unfortunately, for me he decided to play with the fire alarm. I pulled his hand away from the alarm, and that is when techniques came into play.
One of the things I especially love about Kuk Sool is the wide range of options we have. We can go for real damage, strict defense, or restraint. I went for restraint.
Kuk Sool Techniques and Armbars
As soon as I removed his hand from the fire alarm he went for me with a wild overhand flail. I blocked his arm and drove him back a couple of steps. I quickly swept his feet (Ki Bon Soo 9), and slid on top. While he was flailing away I slid my leg around his arm and pulled him into an arm bar using my whole body as a fulcrum (a black belt ground sparring technique) I now had him pinned the ground with one leg holding his head down, and the other holding his body down. His elbow was mine to break or not. Still he struggled. Two light heal kicks to the ribs (warning shots), and a verbal threat to increase the kicks until his ribs broke and I was able to completely restrain him until the police arrived.
The whole physical episode had taken less then thirty seconds. When he was properly subdued and in custody, I took stock. My tenant was safe. My heart was pounding but my breathing was completely under control. I could feel the adrenaline rush, but never did the adrenaline control me. I had successfully used what I had learned in Kuk Sool over the years without seriously injuring the belligerent. He was bleeding from a ripped open suture in his hand (he had apparently had an operation on his hand the previous week), and I only had some minor scratches on my calf from his fingernails. And I had managed to do everything within the confines of a 4 foot wide hallway. The mental and physical techniques, that I have practiced for so long in Kuk Sool worked beautifully.
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