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

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.

This is one you will probably email to all your friends. Adapted from a recent video interview that got a lot of bad press for Scientology. However, he was apparently Hilariously talking about Kuk Sool! Who woulda thought?!?!

* Big Thank You to AirNick productions for puttin’ this video out there. Hilarious job.

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!

Awesome Video explaining the significance of our Martial Arts history of Open Hand Techniques, Fan Techniques, Cane Techniques, and Korean Rope Techniques.

* You gotta love the “Supermanesque” Music they have going on in this movie.

Kuk Sa Nim performs Sohn Mohk Soo wonderfully. These videos Kwan Jang Nim Gene Gause are puuting up on YouTube are great because they show Kuk Sa Nim breaking down the technique so you can see the joint-locks and pressure points. I would suggest notcing how fluid and effortless Kuk Sa Nim’s techniques are. Not to mention his minimal foot movement.

More props to Kwan Jang Nim Gene Gause and his school for releasing these awesome videos. This video is extremely awesome because it slows down each technique to show you the joint-lock and manipulation every time. Enjoy!

Here’s the video from the Purdue Kuk Sool Won Club I just passed on to JKN Brandon. Props to Hong Tti Tony (filming, compiling, and editing) and everyone in the video.

The Club website can be found here: Purdue Kuk Sool Won - Martial Arts Club

It is the Holiday season and with the season comes gifts. So I thought I would give away some of my knowledge.

As you could probably figure out I am a Web Developer/Designer as well as a Kuk Sool Instructor. Since I give away my Kuk Sool knowledge why not give away some of my web knowledge?

So here is the gift:

Any Kuk Sool School Owner who emails me will receive:

• Free Website Critique and Advice
• Internet Marketing Advice
• Search Engine Optimization Tips
• and How to Better use the Dojang website for current students

All of these things will help your school grow and give you things you want as a student.

So if you are a school owner drop me an email at stpaulksw@gmail.com or if you are a student send your instructor the link for this post by emailing it to them or clicking on the “Email this Post to a Friend” link at the top of this post.

Happy Holidays!

* I will only accept email from Head Instructors. For security reasons. Sorry Assistant Instructors.

Maybe so one day, you can do something like this:

Staff Form is the first weapons form we all learn in Kuk Sool Won. We will all practice it countless times throughout our career. Here is a quick video of myself doing Joong Bong Il Hyung at the St.Louis Tournament and some quick tips below:

1. Balance

Especially at the beginning you need to demonstrate good balance with all the spinning techniques. If you do not show proper balance, especially at a tournament, it is immediately known to everyone watching that you have not practiced the form enough.

2. Good Stances

Just because you have a staff in your hands does not mean you get to neglect your stances. Stances will not be as low as empty hand forms because you need some clearance to spin your staff but they should still be proper and low enough to show you actually are a Martial Artist.

3. Power and Precision

This form must be controlled, powerful, and precise. Each movement and strike with the staff must be made with purpose and direction. Practice, Practice, Practice. Especially practice the spins on your own. Don’t just do the form over and over again do the set of 15 spins to get the basics down and sharpened from time to time.