Kuk Sool Won of St Paul | Twin Cities Martial Arts with Classes for Kids, Adults, Families, and Workouts

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.

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.

“Functional conditioning” is THE buzzword in the fitness industry right now, though, like most ideas, it isn’t exactly new, just newly repackaged and marketed.  It seems that the billion dollars worth of exercise machines filling fitness centers across the country really don’t do all that much for our health.  Machines (as any fourth grader who has studied basic physics can tell you) do work for you, making your workout easier and, therefore, less of an actual workout.  Add in the potential for real injury even from using the machines correctly, and you’ve got a bunch of expensive, gleaming, and fairly useless pieces of equipment.  Oh sure, you might be able to do 45 minutes on the stair machine, but can you actually climb that many stairs in real life?  Go ahead and try — I did, and (once I stopped wheezing in agony) that was when I stopped using the stair machine and started running stairs and hills instead.  ‘Cause I actually NEED to climb stairs in my life, and a stair machine doesn’t do a thing to prepare you for the 152 steps up the Highland Park Watertower with a two-year old in a sling.

 So, how do we wean ourselves off of exercise machines and into real, functional fitness — the kind of fitness that leaves us able to run without gasping, jump without injury, slip on the Minnesota ice without falling or at least without breaking?  Get the heck out of the typical fitness center and either a) find a personal trainer who uses free weights, resistance bands, medicine balls, or heavy stones and tree limbs or b) start taking a comprehensive, well-taught martial art.

 I will admit that there are aspects of Kuk Sool that do NOT (in my mind at least) fall under the banner of “functional.”  God help me if I ever actually NEED to use a spear, for instance.  But I need all the help with balance that I can get, and I get plenty of practice with that when I do forms.  The cardiovascular conditioning that comes with a 1000 kick workout translates into running with kites, chasing a dog, and racing my kids on their bikes.  Real-life flexibility?  After 6 months of Kuk Sool, I found I could prop my foot up on the HIGH ledge in the shower when I shave.  Do I adore my well-muscled shoulders, arms, and back?  Oh yeah, baby.  And I love them all the more for the way they can haul a kid, lift the groceries, pull me up on the jungle gym, dig a garden, and climb a tree.

 Get out of the gym.  Get off the elliptical trainer.  Don’t brag to me about how much you can lift on the Seated Leg Press.  Come on over to the dojang and train for real flexibilty, balance, and strength.  Then enjoy a body that functions as well as it looks.

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!

As most of you know it is Thanksgiving this week in the States. If you are not from here and have no idea what it is, Americans basically eat a lot and watch American Football pretending to celebrate giving thanks for Pilgrims and Native Americans and such. We like to forget killing almost all Native Americans off, but that is another sad story.

Anyways, I am goign home to MN so I will try and get some good pics at Kuk Sool for everyone and maybe get an interview with my Instructor up here in the North, Pu Sa Bum Nim Steffen Kellogg.

As for posting on this blog, I may not post a lot this week, but do not worry after this long weekend we will be back in full force. If you are in the US enjoy the Holidays, if you are not and want some wonderful Kuk Sool go to YouTube.com and search for “kuk sool.” You should be happy enough for weeks.

This weeks recap features posts that have produced the most traffic to this blog in the 3 months we have been up. Thank You and keep reading.

Interview with Master Thomas Brewer - Berkely, California
- Kwan Jang Nim was kind enough to grant us an interview and had some very interesting stuff to say. Including Dinner and stories with Kuk Sa Nim and running the oldest Kuk Sool School in the States.

Kuk Sool B-Day Contest Winners

- We ran a contest a while back in October for my B-Day and these three were the winners. Stay tuned to this blog for more contests in the future.

Kuk Sool Holiday Wishlist

- Who doesn’t need new Martial Arts stuff for the holidays? We put together a list of stuff you may want for this coming season.
The Best Form Ever - Crane Over Cloud

- My favorite form performed in my favorite video. So beautiful.

Docublogging Master Lee [Video]

- Docubloggers featured Master Lee on one of their episodes from Central Texas.

2007 European Championships Highlight Video

- Excellent Video showcasing the Demo at the Euro Championships with demos done by KJN Sung Jin Suh and KJN Alex Woo Suh at the same time!

First Off, I would just like to give a huge Thank You to Kwan Jang Nim (Master) Thomas Brewer for answering our interview questions. Kwan Jang Nim was sent our interview questions because his student, Cynthia Dahn Bo Nim, won our birthday challenge.

Q: What is the Name of your school?

A: Kuk Sool Won of Berkeley

Q: Where is your school Located?

A: Berkeley, California

Q: How long has it been open?

A: The school opened in 1980 under Master In Joo Suh (now Chiefmaster). It is the oldest location in America.

Q: What is Your Kuk Sool Rank?

A: I am a Fifth Degree (Kwan Jang Nim)

Q: Where are you originally from?

A: I am originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of Kuk Sool?

A: At the moment my hobby is rock climbing. It is great cross training for martial arts.

Q: Any other basic background info you would like to share?

A: I started Kuk Sool on 1983. I moved from Michigan in January and started working on the Pacific Stock Exchange. I had taken Tae Kwan Do and so when I came out to California I started asking around about the different Martial Arts. I figured San Francisco had to have the best MA because of the large Asian population. At the Stock Exchange a couple of guys were black belts so I asked them. One asked me what I had taken and when I answered Tae Kwan Do he said that Kuk Sool Won was the best Korean Martial Art and I should check it out. He told me the other Black Belt that worked there had taken Kuk Sool and I should talk to him. I did and he told me that Kuk Sool was too hard and I should find a Tae Kwan Do school. That was all it took for me. I headed directly for the closest Kuk Sool school and signed up. I worked in San Francisco but lived closer to Berkeley so I signed up there. Master Byung In Lee was the main teacher. After five months I moved to San Francisco and switched to that school.

Q: When Did you Start Kuk Sool Won? Why?

A: At the San Francisco school I had a couple of different instructors before Kuk Sah Nym started teaching in the class again. In 1986 I earned my Black Belt and Master Sung Jin Suh came over from Korea shortly after that. I taught Kid’s classes and helped around the school for the next few years until Kuk Sah Nym asked me if I wanted to purchase the Berkeley school. I had been thinking about opening a school so it was good timing. I had tired of the Stock Exchange and thought I could train more if I ran a school. I took over Berkeley in December of 1989.

Q: What is your favorite Hyung? why?

A: My favorite hyung at the moment is Oon Hak Hyung. I have only known it for about a year so it is still new and still really, really challenging. I have never practiced a form that I couldn’t do 5 times in a row.

Q: What is your favorite technique or technique set (Ho Shin Sool)? why?

A: I don’t really have a favorite set of techniques. If pressed I would have to say Ki Bon Soo because that set is the keys to the kingdom.

Q: What is your favorite thing to teach?

A: My favorite thing to teach is techniques. Maybe it was my years of being around Kuk Sah Nym (when he taught, it was mostly techniques) but I like to see people’s faces when they see how a technique can work.When they get it!

Q: Where has Kuk Sool taken you in the world?

A: I went to Korea twice in the 1980’s. The first time by myself on a semi lark and the second time on a Kuk Sool trip. By coincidence Masters Jay Lee and Marlin Sims were in Korea at the same time on my first trip and I met them and went around Korea with them. Other than that I am mostly a homebody.

Q: What one thing would you tell any Kuk Sool student to be successful in Kuk Sool?

A: The one thing I would tell any Kuk Sool student to be successful is patience. Be patient with yourself and your practice. At the San Francisco school on Ellis Street there were newspaper clippings of the Grandmaster on the wall as you left. One of them was headlined something like “Grandmaster of Martial Arts says key is patience”. The Korean masters who taught then were not known for their support and encouragement. Many a class I left with my tail between my legs. But seeing that clipping reminded me that this was a long term process and if I quit I would not see the rewards of that process. For me that patience has paid off.

Q: Who has inspired you in Kuk Sool?

A: My biggest inspiration in Martial Arts has been Kuk Sah Nym. He is in another world when it comes to the martial arts. He exposed me to what Martial Arts can be. Not that I will ever get there but to know that is what I am working toward is enough for me.

Q: What is your favorite Kuk Sool memory?

A: I will always be fond of when the San Francisco school was in the Mission district and after class we would have dinner and Kuk Sah Nym would tell stories.

Q: Why Berkeley?

A: I ended up in Berkeley because it was meant to be. That might sound airy-fairy but it was the right place for me.

Q: Is the California lifestyle as laid back as they say it is?

A: The California lifestyle is not so much laid back as it is live and left live. People work just as hard if not harder than elsewhere (it’s soooo expensive).

Q: Have you ever been to Minnesota? and if you haven’t, why not? (it’s the Home of this Blogger)

A: Never been to Minnesota. The only thing I know about that area is what I read in the John Sandford novels. Boy, you sure got a lot of serial killers up there! I do hope to go on the seminar tour one of these years and if it reaches your area I would love to visit. *Which it does, just FYI for everyone

On October 22nd I had my birthday and a Kuk Sool Contest. The contest details were for that first three people to email me would get their instructor interviewed on this blog. Now that I have the first of three instructor interviews I think it’s time to release who the winners are and a little about themselves. Check back on this blog for the next instructor interviews and congratulations to the winners.

Cynthia Dahn Bo Nim
Kuk Sool Won of Berkely - KJN Thomas Brewer

“I’m taking the slow-but-steady path forward to my JKN rank next year. I started KSW in 1999 because I love martial arts, and when my daughters were in grade school I wanted them to have the advantage of martial arts classes early in life… so I selected Kuk Sool Won because I wanted the three of us to study something comprehensive… which Kuk Sool Won clearly is. A trial class with Thomas Brewer confirmed that Kuk Sool Won was exactly what I’d been looking for, and I’ve been delighted with it ever since! I love the way I am continuously challenged to expand my mental, emotional, and physical reach beyond any point I previously thought possible, and this is making a tremendous positive difference in all aspects of my life.

KJN Thomas Brewer is an extraordinary instructor who consistently inspires excellence in his students with personalized attention exactly when it’s most needed, and creative approaches to teaching what might otherwise feel tedious… or impossible. ”

Joy Ja Tti
Kuk Sool Won on Jeju Island, South Korea - KJN Oh Sang Hoon

“I have been doing Kuk Sool for 9 months in South Korea. My husband and I are from the US, but we moved to Jeju after graduating university to come teach English. We have been here for over 2 years and are planning on staying indefinately. I get to study KSW an hour a day, 5 days a week, almost entirely in Korean. It’s pretty sweet. I only wish I had discovered KSW 2 years ago when I first got here.”

Stuart Kyo Sa Nim
Kuk Sool Won of Norwich - KJN John Ives

Stuart and I trained together in Korea but he is obviously from the UK and Kuk Sool Won of Norwich. He will soon be testing for the rank of Pu Sa Bum Nim. In fact, we are such good friends I may even link to a funny photo of him when he was really little as a “Millenium Black Belt.” Stuart is the third one in from the left in the front row of kids.

* Sent to me by Mel JKN. Thanks Mel :)

Today we’re gonna go through some of the upgrades I have done to the blog today and the last couple weeks.

1. You can now Email a Post to a Friend

I am so happy to announce I have finally added this functionality to this blog. I think you will all enjoy it as well.

To Email a Friend the post you like, just click on the post title from the Blog Homepage, and when you the Blog post is loaded you will see a little icon and text appear underneath the title of the Blog Post that says “Email this Post to a Friend”

So now if you think your friend or an instructor will like a post, feel free to click and email them. You do not leave the page at all, you just click and send right from the post. Go try it yourself!

2. What is RSS?

One of the options to subscribe to this Blog is via the Kuk Sool Blog RSS feed. Now, I know many of you have yet to learn how easy RSS is and so I have added a “What is RSS?” page to this site. You can learn what RSS is by clicking this link: What is RSS? or by clicking on the “What is RSS?” link at the top of the sidebar under the big orange RSS icon.

3. Subscribe via Email

Yes, this feature has been on the Blog for a while, but just to let you know that if you don’t like the whole RSS thing you can still subscribe via email. Just enter in you email at the top of the sidebar and you will receive the posts via email.