SBN Doug

Woo, That's going to get very confusing if you try and take two art as detailed as KSW. I suggest you take a good look at each, and pick one. What you learn right now in KSW is critical to your performing the techniques properly, and learning more advanced techniques in the future. I'm sure it's the same for the other one. What's right in one art, is very frequently wrong in another. Especially when they're from different countries. I haven't heard of the other one but it sounds interesting. Is it Chinese? Oh, and don't worry about it being a club. Your instructor still has to be certified through headquarters to operate. I'm looking to open one myself. It's a good way to build class size before moving to a dedicated location. Doug

Rush, Amazing you didn't see one in Texas. They're thick through Houston, and a fair amount in Austin and San Antonio. If you look at the organization web site (https://www.kuksoolwon.com) you can find the locations of all the official "full time" schools. As with Woo's post, there are a ton of un-listed clubs being run by authorized instructors at places like YMCAs and universities. The instructors are usually like me, have a career already, but still want to teach what we know. I would have started one already, but I can't find anywhere that doesn't already have a Joe Shmo Karate in them. Doug

Ken, or any other Muay Thai practitioner, I'm curious. I only know Muay Thai from Van Damm's movie, which I doubt is all that accurate. What makes you art as effective as you note states? All I can see from the film is a lot of shin, knee, and elbow strikes (which I have learned as well). Enlighten me, because I truely would like to know (I'm not being sarcastic). Doug

Rushman, What would you like to know? They are few and far between , except for California and Texas (previous and current locations for the world headquarters).

Yeh Kungfuwoo, I would say this system does exactly that. You get the benefit of the cross-training a lot of people on this board favor, without having to change schools. And, with every new level, I find we get more in depth into most of the skills than I had originally imagined. That's why I've stayed with it for about 9yrs, and plan to stay with it for a long time. I don't see myself ever getting board, or reaching a plateau in KSW. Where are you taking classes now? Who's your instructor? [ This Message was edited by: KSN Doug on 2001-11-12 05:46 ]

Ohhhh That's sort of an instructor's uniform. We get one when we're promoted to 1st dahn. Usually for special occations only. Some where it when instructing class, to stand out. Most of us only were our usual uniform, since we end up working out pretty good too.

Fancy? We just have all black top and pants. Just a few insignias other than that. Not like some of the bright colors that were discussed in that other string. Now that's fancy. Oh, and welcome Kungfoowoo. Good to see our Kuk Sool contingent growing. Lots of good martial artists to draw from here. [ This Message was edited by: KSN Doug on 2001-11-10 12:49 ]

I was reading some archived BB Magazine issues, and found where the leaders of the Hapkido Assoc. and Kuk Sool Won Assoc. were attempting to merge the two systems back in the 80's. It says they were not able to reach an agreement, but a number of schools in Korea split off and formed a Hapkido-Kuk Sool organization on their own. Question to the group, does anyone have any more info on this almost historic event? Also, are there any other systems that have (or attempted to) merge in recent history?

Use your speed advantage, and go for the knees. Blow out one of his knees, and he looses any size advantage he had.

So you're saying you just picked it up on your own? No formal instruction? Cool. Isn't that typically a Japanese weapon? Or does someone know of another country that has used it?

I'm talking about any kind of Eastern archery. I'm being taught in Kuk Sool Won, so mine is Korean archery. But, I wouldn't mind hearing about anyone's martial arts archery experiences. We have to pull the string back with our thumb. We are also taught not to really sight with a single eye, but to keep both eyes open and "feel" the correct elevation based on where we pull the string to on our body.

Well if your instructor disapproves, then definately never mind. I agree, it is all in the head. For my daughter, it helped her get past it. But I can see where it wouldn't work the same for everyone. ltr

Hey KickChick, did you try using a re-breakable board? It really helped my daughter get past the "fear" of the board, and focus on the precision of the kick needed, when she was going for her first break (She was 8 at the time). [ This Message was edited by: KSN Doug on 2001-11-07 13:18 ]

Kuk Sool Won is all black dobok. Standardized lettering is on back and right lapel, while Korean flag is on left lapel.

Oooo, thanks for the warning. I'll keep my guard up if I give them a try. I know this was all in the TKD forum, but keep in mind, a lot of the Korean you're translating is dependant on the art you're practicing. I do see a lot of the same words, but a lot of the titles differ from that of the ones in Kuk Sool Won. For example: Kuk Sa Nim - Grand Master (10th) Kwan Jahn Nim - Master (5th~8th) Sa Buhm Nim - 4th degree Pu Sa Buhm Nim - 3rd degree Kyo Sa Nim - 2nd degree (me) Jo Kyo Nim - 1st degree You can look at some of the other differences at http://www.kuksoolwon.com.

I went out early and bought one of those machines, and it did help to a certain point. But, I have been told that I may never be able to do full splits. Some of us from certain Western Eurpean decent have a larger knob at the top of our femur (thigh) bone that will not allow our joint to move that far. Fortunately, I am on the taller side (6'1") so I don't need a full split to get a kick up to most apponents heads (if I ever decided to kick that high). As important as the stretch (for higher kicks), you need to develop the muscles to pull your leg up for a high kick. Without well developed inner and outer thigh muscles, you will be very flexible, but still unable to get your leg to kick high. Personally, I don't like kicking high very often. I'm too vulnerable.

Originally, because ever since I saw Bruce and Chuck as a kid, I wanted to be able to do those things. Not from a fighting standpoint, because I never got into many fights, and was friends with most everyone. More from the ability standpoint. What those guys could do was amazing to me, maybe a confidence building thing. Now, I continue because it was everything that I thought, and much much more. I still sit there and watch my masters do things I can't believe I will be able to achieve. This drives me to achieve even more. The thought of being able to tune into my apponents energy through our touching staffs just blows my mind. [ This Message was edited by: KSN Doug on 2001-11-07 07:11 ]

Also, if yours are anything like my past instructors, as you progress, they become more critical. Something they allowed you to get away with earlier in you training, they now feel is time for you to polish up.

I haven't seen anything posted about archery yet. Does anyone else practice "traditional" archery (ie. no compound bows)? My training in Korean archery started about three months ago. Damn, does my thumb ever hurt!

I just started a few months ago, when a master came through with intro instruction. He just came back through, and now I'm sticking them pretty consistantly. I now need to buy some of my own, so does anyone have a line on the best deal for 10in Hibbons? I see them sold seperately for around $22 ea. Does anyone know of any better deals? Doug

I didn't go into TKD for the same reason. I'm not as light as you (195lbs), but the other descriptions are the same (except I'm 35 and can't dance worth a dime). I wound up in Kuk Sool Won almost by accident, and found it to suit my body style and physical abilities perfectly. It starts you out with lower kicks and all the basic hand strikes, while teaching you "grappling" type techniques as well. You might try Hapikdo as well, in the event you have one closer than a KSW school. Go watch a few classes of the different suggestions you've seen here before deciding. Doug [ This Message was edited by: KSN Doug on 2001-11-06 12:12 ] [ This Message was edited by: KSN Doug on 2001-11-06 12:13 ]

Few, Kickchick is giving me bad flashbacks to college physics. In Kuk Sool Won, breaking is integrated into the training and testing requirements as well. Under-black sticks to one board breaks (in most schools), but the technique used to break becomes more advanced as you move up. They usually start with mid level spin heel kick, and progress up to jump kicks and jump spin kicks. Some schools work in palm strike breaks to boards as well, but the only object we break other than boards is a bottle with a palm strike. Again, to focus on speed and precision over un-controlled raw power. I feel it is a good component of an overall curriculum, but should not be a main focus of the training. Just my opinion.

Thanks to all. Dragon, I'm curious. Do you practice in a school or on your own. I haven't seen a large Kung Fu influence since I've moved to CT. I have to drive an hour, a little past Danbury, every Friday to attend any formal classes for Kuk Sool Won. Thanks again. Doug

From a purely elegance standpoint, I love the look of well performed sword techniques. From the thought of not carying it with you, but grabbing something when needed, I like my short sticks and staff. If I want to make sure I have something with me, I like my cane.

The Yahoo club was Martial Art Forum. Few, I haven't worn a belt this white in some time.