What is Kuk Sool?


A Comprehensive Martial Arts System


Kuk Sool is a systematic study of all of the traditional fighting arts, which together comprise the martial arts history of Korea. As such, Kuk Sool is extremely well organized and seeks to integrate and explore all aspects of the traditional Korean martial arts.
As a martial arts system, Kuk Sool covers the entire spectrum of established Asian fighting arts and body conditioning techniques, as well as mental development and traditional weapons training. The following list includes some, but by no means all, of the elements of Kuk Sool.

 

  HAND TECHNIQUES

 
  • Closed and open hand striking methods: including palm, fist, wrist, finger striking, and specialized hand training techniques.
  • Pressure point striking.
  • Striking using arm and shoulder.
  • Blocking and parrying.

 

 

  LEG TECHNIQUES

 
  • Fundamental kicks.
  • Spinning kicks.
  • Jumping kicks.
  • Combination kicks.
  • Double leg kicks.
  • Pressure point kicking.
  • Specialty kicking.

 

 

  THROWING and GRAPPLING

 
  • Body throws.
  • Projection throws.
  • Leg throws.
  • Pressure point grappling.
  • Grappling defense.
  • Wrestling techniques.
  • Ground fighting.

 

 

  JOINT-LOCKING TECHNIQUES

 
  • Restraining methods.
  • Joint breaking techniques.
  • Combination joint locking.
  • Control and redirection techniques.
  • Arresting and pain-compliance techniques.

 

 

  FALLING TECHNIQUES and ACROBATICS

 
  • Body conditioning and agility techniques.
  • Body protection techniques.
  • Acrobatics for defense and offense.

 

 

  BODY CONDITIONING

 
  • Overall stretching and flexibility training.
  • Cardiovascular conditioning.
  • Muscle toning.
  • Ligament and tendon strengthening.
  • Joint flexibility and conditioning.

 

 

  ANIMAL-STYLE TECHNIQUES

 

Techniques based on the movements and/or characteristics of certain “martial” animals such as:

  •   Tiger
  •   Praying Mantis
  •   Crane
  •   Dragon
  •   Snake
  •   Bear
  •   Eagle, etc.

 

 

  TRADITIONAL KOREAN WEAPONS

 
  • Sword: short & long, single or double, straight or inverted
  • Staff: short, middle & long, single or double
  • Jool Bong (jointed Staff): double or triple
  • Spear
  • Cane
  • Rope
  • Fan
  • Bow & Arrow

    There are 24 different traditional Korean Royal Court weapons in the curriculum of Kuk Sool plus Buddhist and Tribal weaponry.

 

 

 

  MEDITATION and BREATHING TECHNIQUES

 
  • Various breath control techniques
  • Meditation and breathing postures
  • Concentration techniques

 

 

As you can see, Kuk Sool covers an extensive variety of martial art methods, but it is not merely concerned with methods of attack and defense, Kuk Sool also includes the study of healing techniques and the development of internal power, and physical conditioning. Training in Kuk Sool also helps to instill self-confidence and self-discipline, a calm self-assurance, and the psychological and spiritual values which are traditionally associated with the martial character.  Mental and physical well-being is of primary importance in Kuk Sool.

Although Kuk Sool as it is practiced today is relatively new, its roots stretch far and deep to the very beginnings of the Korean people.  As students of Kuk Sool, this early history and the ancient traditions upon which our art is founded should be as important to us as the physical techniques themselves, for it is only from our understanding and appreciation of these classical roots that we are able to grow as students of the martial arts.

 

 

 


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