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

Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul is hosting its annual Open House this Saturday, September 26 from 11am to 3pm.  We’ll be offering free mini-classes, playing games, and showing off some of the best martial arts in the Twin Cities.  Come meet our instructors and current students, try out some new moves, and get your questions answered about our school and the martial arts system of Kuk Sool Won.

I took the opportunity this year of tagging along with Steffen PSBN on his annual trip to Houston for Instructor Training at the World Kuk Sool Headquarters.  Although I wasn’t able to participate in the official Training, there was still plenty to do and learn “from the sidelines” as Mel JKN has put it. 

The first thing I learned was that, despite our grumbling as his students, Steffen PSBN is NOT actually a testing maniac compared to other school owners.  In fact, the word from on high was this:  testing is good practice and we all need more practice.  At dinner with Master Jeff Green and Sa Bum Nim Ben Mitchell, we got the wonderful idea of giving practice tests to black stripe students who aren’t quite ready to test for Dahn Bo Nim.  I got to see our first two students take practice tests on Saturday, and, as an instructor, I’m convinced that they will significantly help.  As a mom, it was a little heartbreaking — one of the practice testers was my son, and his emotional unreadiness was obvious.  But by practicing, I know his readiness to test will improve.  Besides, we came home with testing plans that will be affecting all our black belt testers, and my turn will be coming.  It’s always only a matter of time before testing begins to affect you personally. 

I also had the pleasure of seeing Pu Sa Bum Nims and Sa Bum Nims testing.  It was awe-inspiring, as usual.  It also reinforced the practicing of odd-side forms at black belt.  Master Daniel Jolly emphasized this point during Houston testing in October — as black belts we must practice forms on both sides equally.  And Su Suhk Kwan Jahng Nim Harmon certainly reinforced it during this test. 

I got to meet a delightful group of women from the San Francisco Bay area who have trained under Sun Im Kwan Jahng Nim Suh for years.  These “California girls” are the students who took up the mantle of school owners when their head instructor moved.  None of them went into Kuk Sool with the plan of school ownership, but when the need arose, they jumped into the role.  We swapped ideas and stories, compared notes on training pre-schoolers, and had a great time.  I look forward to next year and the chance to reconnect with them. 

The one thing that I missed that I wish I had been able to witness was Master Daniel Jolly’s speech about loyalty.  There are some organizational changes going on in the big wide Kuk Sool family, and, as with any change, there are some grumbles, worries, and doubts.  Master Jolly spoke about his loyalty to Kuk Sa Nim and the loyalty that is returned to him in kind.  It occurred to me that, ultimately, we are all Kuk Sa Nim’s students.  I know how I feel about my students and the lengths I would go to for each one of them, and I trust the same is true of Kuk Sa Nim. 

I’m thankful that I co-own a martial arts school and don’t have to have a real job.

I’m thankful for every student who walks through those doors. 

I’m thankful for a family that loves and supports me, even if they can’t remember the name of whatever it is that I do all the time.

I’m thankful to work with other instructors who share a love of Kuk Sool and who make me laugh, inspire me, and add to the enjoyment of what I do every day.

I’m thankful to work under an instructor whose talent, energy, and ambition have made this school so successful in so many ways.

I’m thankful that what I wear to work is so darn comfy.

I’m thankful that I get to wear other, more flattering clothes too sometimes.

I’m thankful to have so many friends that I love and am loved by. 

I’m thankful for every day I live without pain.

I’m thankful that I get to spend my days with my children.  I’m thankful that I get a break from them sometimes, too.

I’m thankful that I live a life of abundance, without fear, surrounded by love, and full of joy.  I hope the same for all of you. 

Kwan Jang Nim Alex has recently had a professional Video made to promote his 2 new schools down in Texas. Fortunately for everyone else he offers the video to help other schools who would like to use it. So all we had to do was put our school Contact Information on the end and drop it on our Homepage. Click the image below to go to our homepage to watch it.

Q: What is the Name of your school?

A: Kuk Sool Won of Walzem

Q: Where is your school located?

A: San Antonio , Texas

Q: How long has your school been open?

A: I’ve been teaching in San Antonio since 2002, before that I had a school on McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey for 4 years.

Q: What is your Kuk Sool Rank?

A: Sa Bum Nim (Fourth Degree)

Q: Where are you originally from?

A: A small town named Oldhams , Virginia

Q: What are your hobbies outside of Kuk Sool?

A: Music, Sports, Hanging out with family and friends

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

A: I’m a down to earth, fun loving guy. I love to train hard, but I believe that in all training, there should be some fun.

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

A: I started Kuk Sool Won in the early 90’s at Ramstein Air Force Base under the instruction of then Kyo Sa Nim Daniel Jolly, who is now a Kwahn Jahng Nim. I had visited several schools on base before viewing a Kuk Sool Won class. But after talking to Mr. Jolly for a while, I was threatened. He told me that I BETTER be in class Monday and not to make him come looking for me, because the base was not that big. So I have been in Kuk Sool Won since that day….LOL…

Q: When did you decide to become an instructor and why?

A: I mentioned as a white belt that I wanted to teach one day. So I asked KJN Jolly what rank I needed to be to help him with the children’s class? He said. “Just show up and everything will be fine.” That was the start of me being a helper which turned into an assistant and now a school owner and instructor.

Q: What is your favorite Hyung? Why?

A: My favorite Hyung is Gum Moo Hyung, I love the fact that is a deceptive form. If you don’t know the history of it, you would think that it’s an empty hand form, but it’s actually a weapons form. This fact alone makes it special, and the movements are absolutely amazing.

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

A: I don’t actually have a favorite technique, I love them all. As a whole, techniques are my favorite part of Kuk Sool Won. But if I had to pick, I would go with the combination of Maek Chi Ki and Maek Cha Ki. I like those sets because they can be used in any capacity and are very effective.

Q: What is your favorite thing to teach?

A: Sparring and Techniques

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

A: Not too many places; did most of my traveling through the military but trained everywhere I could.

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

A: Be patient and learn to examine the little things just as much as the big things. An example of that would be, when you watch your instructor or someone do a back step and punch, don’t just look at the punch but everything that led up to it, such as proper stepping, body alignment, center of gravity etc.

Q: Who has inspired you in Kuk Sool?

A: Kwan Jang Nim Jolly. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be in Kuk Sool today. Over the years I’ve watched him deal with injuries and always bouncing back through training and healthy living. His attention to detail is a great asset that he instilled in me and a lot of his students. Being a student of his and learning from him on how to run a school and teach are lessons that I will never forget.

Q: What is your favorite Kuk Sool memory?

A: Being promoted with my daughter on May 19th 2007

Q: Do you Teach Military Kuk Sool Practicioners in a different way? If so, How?

A: For the military personnel that I have taught, it was nothing different just more intense. I may have altered a technique here and there but it was based on different scenarios versus just standing in a dojang. However, I teach my students to give 100% every time they practice. If they practice at 100% they will perform at 100% when need be. This world is not getting any safer, so training with intensity could be the difference between life and death if we are ever caught in that type situation.

Q: If you could change one thing about Texas what would it be?

A: Well I can’t speak for all of Texas but for San Antonio , I would like to turn the temperature down just a bit. It’s hot almost year- round, but at least it’s not terribly cold.

Q: What has been the biggest hurdle in teaching your own child Kuk Sool?

A: Understanding that she has to be herself and not what I want her to be. I had to back off and treat her like a student that was coming through the ranks versus coming in as a black belt. Once I backed off and let her be the belt she was, she became one of the best students in the school. To often as parents that teach or coach our own children we think they should be the best and over-train them. This hurts them more than helping them. That was my biggest hurdle and best lesson.

Q: Have you ever been to Minnesota? and if you haven’t, why not? (This dojang’s home)

A: I haven’t been to Minnesota. I never had a reason to go there, but who knows what the future has in store for me.

Thank You Sa Bum Nim for granting us the interview. If you would like to see Sa Bum Nim in action check him and his other instructors out in their Promo video: San Antonio Martial Arts Promo Video - Kuk Sool Won of Walzem

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

Great Video of Kings Lynn Black Belt Demonstration at the Dojang. Nice job.

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!