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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
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“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.
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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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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
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This post will be for all of you who know or have ever been taught some grappling. Here in Minnesota we have grappling seminars once every two months or so.
I just got done traveling to my Alma Mater, Purdue University, and taught a grappling seminar there, so I thought I would write on how to practice what we teach. * In the coming days I will post a list of what was taught at the seminar with some videos
Positional Practice
1. Position Change
You both start in a given position (Mount, in-the-guard, etc…). Start grappling and when one or both has changed position start over. This practice is to help you learn skills, escapes, and counters in a certain position. You can still get someone to tap out. It just has to be from your starting position.
2. Tap Out
Same as Positional Change but instead of stopping if positions have changed you go until someone taps out due to a choke, lock, or technique.
Take Down *more advanced/dangerous
1. Start from the Wrestlers Clinch
Start from a Wrestlers Clinch and go till tap out.
2. Start from Sparring
This is the most advanced way of starting and involves starting from sparring. If you watch Mixed Martial Arts on TV that is what I am talking about. Obviously, very dangerous. Only do this way of practice when you are an advanced student practicing with another advanced student.
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Great Video of Kings Lynn Black Belt Demonstration at the Dojang. Nice job.
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Getting better at Martial Arts is something that is easy for instructors to express but yet so hard for students to grasp. Obviously going to practice is the number one way to get better. If you don’t practice you will not get better. However, somebody that practices everyday will not necessarily be great.
So here I will give ways that I strive to get better with examples so everyone has something easy they can work on every practice.
Do a Little Every Practice
- Stretch a little further than last time in warm-ups
- Kick a little higher
- Jump a little higher
- Cartwheel a little faster
- Do your techniques from Memory a little faster
- Lower your stances just a little bit
- Do one more push-up
- Punch the pad a little harder
- Do a combo every time you attack during sparring
Get in Shape
- Do four way forms with low stances
- Do every kick
- Do every push-up, crunch, sit-up that everyone else is doing
- Fast staff spinning with drops meaning push-ups
- Do extra special workouts outside class (weight lifting, bike,swimming)
Above your Ability
- Try a special kick that you have never tried (Helicopter kicks or 540’s are always a good start)
- Do a handspring, conquer that, then a back handspring, then a backflip, etc… push yourself
- Spar someone who is better than you, but learn from it (better foot movement, “I need to use more combos”, “I need faster kicks”)
- Watch your instructor or Kuk Sool Videos and emulate their abilities
- Meet someone from another school and learn from what they know (a.k.a. Kuk Sool Networking)
- Ask for help, we all need it
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I have just found out, which a lot of you may already know about, but the Kuk Sool Won Great Lakes Tournament will not be in Michigan this year. It will now be in Cleveland, Ohio. As a former Purdue Kuk Sool Won Instructor that is definitely good news for them and anybody else in that area that doesn’t live too close to Michigan. Here are the full details of the tournament.
Great Lakes Tournament
April 5, 2008
Cleveland Heights Community Center
One Monticello Boulevard, Cleveland Heights, OH
Well, practice up and I may see you there or at the MidWest Tournament in St.Louis. Living in Minnesota makes it a little difficult to get to a tournament but I do it every year and so does Pu Sa Bum Nim Steffen. Make sure you get a picture with me and I will post it on the blog.
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Within the last year Kuk Sool Headquarters has started to require every student to learn and verbally recite the Kuk Sool Won pledge at your Black Belt test. So read, learn, and recite the World Kuk Sool Won Association pledge.
Kuk Sool Won Pledge
1. As a member of the Kuk Sool Won, I pledge to obey the rules of the association and to conduct myself in accordance with the true spirit of martial arts.
나는 국술원 회원으로서 회칙을 준수하며 무사도 정신을 발휘할 것을 맹세 한다
2. I pledge to be loyal to my country and to promote the development of a better society.
나는 애국 애족하며 국제간의 친선 도모는 물론 많은 일에 성실 근면하고 내가 살고 있는 지역 사회의 번영과 발전을 위하여 헌신적으로 노력한다
3. I pledge to work together with all classes of people without regard to politics, race or religion.
나는 정치적인 문제에 관여 하지 않으며 종교나 파벌을 초월하여 신의와 우정으로 각계각층의 선량한 국제민들과 협력한다
4. I pledge to promote international goodwill and strive for world peace through the practice of martial arts.
나는 이와같은 정신으로 복지 사회 건설에 적극 참여하고 나아가서 세계 평화 달성에 이바지 할것을 다짐한다
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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.
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