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

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

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: