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

Kuk Sool Won of Timberhill Master, Kwan Jang Nim Daniel Jolly, is known for his great sparring ability. Also, he is a giant. If you see a really tall Master walking around at a tournament you will know who he is. He is also very nice and talented.
Say Hi and Remember to bow.

Here is his schools website where you can learn more about Kwan Jang Nim and his history: Kuk Sool Won of Timberhill - Texas Martial Arts

Video of the Two Instructors at Kuk Sool Won of Walzem down there in San Antonio, Texas. Sa Bum Nim Lawson and Kyo Sa Nim Jen doing some great demos.

I’ll also pass on a little link love to help them rank a little higher in Google.

Here is there Web Page: San Antonio Martial Arts - Kuk Sool Won

Kwan Jang Nim John Ives is Chief Instructor of all the UK schools and one of the top Masters in the World. Whenever I see him I am always surprised how tall he is (6′2″).

Big Thank You to Kwan Jang Nim John Ives for taking time to answer our questions. Also, Thank You to his Student and my friend, newly promoted, Pu Sa Bim Nim Stuart.

Q: What is the name of your school?

A: Kuk Sool Won of Norwich

Q: Where is your school located?

A: Norwich, UK

Q: How long has your school been open?

A: Since 1975

Q: What is your Kuk Sool Rank?

A: 6th Dahn Kwan Jang Nim

Q: Where are you Originally From?

A: Norwich, UK

Q: Why Did you Start Kuk Sool?

A: For Fitness and Self-Defence

Q: When Did you Decide to Become and Instructor? Why?

A: I didn’t decide. I was told to teach. However, over the years I have found it valuable and rewarding. It is a pleasure to see my students progress.

Q: What is your Favorite Hyung? Why?

A: Guhm Moo Hyung, because it is an ancient traditional form with advanced techniques. I really enjoy this form.

Q: What is your Favorite Technique Set (Ho Shin Sool)? Why?

A: Bu Chae Sool (Fan Techniques) because it is a very versatile weapon.

Q: What is your Favorite Thing to Teach?

A: Jok Sool

Q: Where has Kuk Sool taken you in this World?

A: All over the world. Europe, Asia, Canada and North America.

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

A: Practice!

Q: Who has inspired you in Kuk Sool?

A: Kuk Sa Nim

Q: What is your favorite Kuk Sool memory?

A: My first visit to Korea.

Q: How would you say Kuk Sool in the UK is different from schools in other countries?

A: Kuk Sool Won schools in the UK are very close knit.

Q: What do you think the future holds for Kuk Sool in Europe?

A: Growth.

As you know I offered an unbelievable Web Site Critique offer to Kuk Sool Instructors everywhere this last Holiday Break. So I thought I would list them here and give them some link love.

Kuk Sool Won of Menlo Park (California)  // Pu Sa Bum Nim Kristin Quintana

Kuk Sool Won of Costa Rica // Kwan Jang Nim Dickson Kunz

Kuk Sool Won of Muncie (Indiana) // Jo Kyo Nim Ken Ring

Kuk Sool Won of Burton (Michigan) // Pu Sa Bum Nim Kenneth Wright

I was surprised no international people tried to take me up on this offer as a lot of the UK Kuk Sool Schools have good websites but may be a little lacking in the Search Engine Optimization. Oh well. I hope that everyone I gave critiques to finds some time to implement them and have them work out for their school. Best of luck!

There are a lot of online places you can go and find articles and postings about Kuk Sool. I have pooled a couple resources I have found over the years for everyone to view. Enjoy.

Articles

World Kuk Sool HQ Article Page - PDF’s of Kuk Sool Magazine Articles

Magazine Articles on Kwan Jang Nim Byung In Lee

KSW of Lowestoft Articles

School Newsletters

Kuk Sool Won of South Austin Newsletter

Kuk Sool Won of Alameda Newsletter

Blogs

Kuk Sool Won of St Paul Blog - You are Here

Blue Moon Blog

Baby Powder Boy Blog

Pressure Points

Kuk Sool of Beccles Pressure Point Guide

KSW of Flint Maek Chi Ki Reference Guide

KSW of Flint Maek Cha Ki Reference Guide

Lung Meridian Pressure Point Diagram

Terminology

KSW of Beccles Terminology Guide

KSW of Sudbury Terminology

KSW of Flint Kuk Sool Terminology Guide

Korean Counting

KSW of Sudbury Korean Counting

Meditation

KSW of Beccles Meditiation Guide

Magazine Covers & Posters

KSW of Norwich Posters and Covers Page

You-Won-Wha

Technique Principles Article

This is definitely my favorite video, of my favorite form, from one of my favorite Kuk Sool Websites. Enjoy the beauty that is this form. Crane Over Cloud.

* Video originally from the Cambridge, Beccles, and London Kuk Sool Website

It’s getting to be around that time of year again. So I thought I would get out all the options for your Martial Arts Holiday Gear. Here’s a couple things you may want to think about asking for this Holiday Season:

1. Extra Uniform

I think this is a pretty smart choice because who wants to constantly be doing laundry all the time because you only have one uniform?

Where: You can order is from Gaya Won from Kuk Sool HQ or from your own school

2. Generals Uniform

Uber Expensive and probably a good ask for Christmas

Where: Gaya Won or your own Instructor

3. Textbooks

I can’t tell you how nice it is to have a textbook handy when I forget the order of a technique set. Textbooks are incredibly handy for beginners who are just learning a new form or technique set

Where: Gaya Won or your own Instructor

4. Handbooks

Handbooks are different than Textbooks in two ways. First, they cover different topics. They are sword, staff, breaking, knife and club defense, and pressure point and joint locking. Second, they are more explanatory. They have more text and only focus on the topic associated with the book. They are not broken down like the text books into rank.

Where: Gaya Won and your Instructor

5. Throwing Knives

Not a lot of people know how to use throwing knives for Kuk Sool, but if you want to get into it talk to your instructor and get some. The following knives are the two most common I have seen.
3 Pc Set Spear Point Throwing Knives

3 Pc Set Professional Throwing Knives

6. Sword

Another expensive item for your Kuk Sool practice is a sword. I have gotten my sword from Kuk Sool so I don’t really know of any other good websites or anything, but if you have one leave it in the comments below. * Have to be a Black Belt to order from Kuk Sool

Where: Gaya Won and your Instructor

7. Sparring Gear

Sparring gear always seems to only last a year if you’re lucky. Here are a couple links to get what you are looking for.

Macho Full Warrior Sparring Gear Set (With Hogu Chest Protector)

Macho Warrior Sparring Gear Set

Macho Dyna Sparring Gear Set

8. Sparring Gear Bag
Champ Gear Bag

9. School Gear

It’s always a good idea to load up on your own schools t-shirts, sweat shirts, gear, and whatever else they sell at your dojang because it helps out your school, plus it is where you train and you should be proud of that.

10. Martial Arts Shoes

If you go to a Tournament there is a lot of standing around, or maybe you are an instructor and you do a lot of standing around throughout the day. You may want to acquire some Martial Arts shoes.

Adidas Adilux Shoe

Adidas SM-II Low Cut Sneaker Sneaker

This is a demo done by Chong Kwan Jang Nim (Chief Master) Byung In Lee and some of his Black Belt Level students. It is a very informative video because the spokesman talks about the meaning of the techniques and forms they are doing, Here are some of the highlights:

• Guhm Moo Hyung means the “Sword Dance Form.” It allows you to practice the use of Korean Royal Court Short Swords without actually having them on you
• Kuk Sool Won is Primarily a Defensive Martial Art
• In Kuk Sool, the idea is not to mimic exactly the movement of animals, but to mimic the purpose of the movement of the animal and change it to a human form
• Fans are used not only to strike pressure points but to also disguise your movements
• Oh Yeah…….and Master Lee is awesome.

This video was on YouTube and looks like it was produced by Docubloggers

Most people get really nervous and never feel like they are ready for their belt test. Here are some easy ways to get over that feeling and Ace your next Belt Test while impressing your friends and Instructor.

You can also check out each belts requirements at the Kuk Sool Belt Testing Chart

1. Practice Random Techniques 2 Weeks Beforehand

For the 2 weeks before your belt test work on Random Techniques with your in class partner. Instead of practicing in order forwards or backwards have your partner say a random technique and then quickly do it. You should be able to do each technique within 3 seconds of your partner saying the technique start to finish.

2. 20 Wall Kicks a Day

Wall kicks are an extremely effective way of improving your kicks while working on the proper mechanics of each kick. Find a spot on a wall and put one hand on the wall. Practice 20 front kicks, 20 round kicks, 20 side kicks, and 20 hook kicks. If you do that for a couple weeks before your test you will notice a lot of improvement on your kicking mechanics.

3. Read these Previous Articles

3 Tips to Make your Kuk Sool Form Better Today

3 Tips for a Better Spin Kick

How to Increase Your Flexibility

What is the Name of your Kuk Sool Rank

10 Steps to a Gold Medal Cho Geup Hyung

Martial Arts Exercises to do Outside the Dojang

3 Steps to a Perfect Jump Spin Kick

Where can you go Online to find other Kuk Soolers talking Kuk Sool? Well, obviously this blog is a good choice but there are numerous others around. Here is a list of some popular places we Kuk Soolers tend to Congregate:

There are are a couple different ways to join the Kuk Sool Facebook community. One is to join a group and one is to become a Fan. You will either have to login to Facebook or create an account to join.

To Join a group click this link to join Kuk Sool University (192 Members)

Yesterday Facebook also opened up the ability to make Fan pages. So I made one for the World Kuk Sool Association as well as for this school here in Minnesota. After you click on the links below, on the upper right of the group profile will be a tiny little text link that reads something like “add to my stores” or “add to my services” which are just fancy ways of saying “Make me a Fan.”

So if you are a Fan of the World Kuk Sool Association Click Here

If you are a Fan of Kuk Sool Won of St Paul Click Here

* You will have to log in or register to join these groups too. To create a Fan page for your school, click on the “Advertisers” Link on the bottom of Facebook, and the link to create one will be on the right side of the page

Flickr is also a great place to find some Kuk Sool Members posting photos. So if you take a lot of Kuk Sool photography, join up and share your photos.

Click here to visit the Flickr Kuk Sool Won Group

MySpace doesn’t seem to have a single group for Kuk Sool but if you search for “Kuk Sool” on MySpace a lot of videos and user stuff does come up. You can click here to visit MySpace

One of the most active Kuk Sool communities is the forum on Martial Arts Planet. A lot of Kuk Sool people meet here and discuss. You will have to register to put in your 2-cents but you can read all the posts and discussions without registering

Click Here to Visit the Kuk Sool Online Forum at Martial Arts Planet