Information for a newbie interested in joining Kuk Sool Won.

[enigmatic_cat]

I'm a 21 year old male, and I was curious about Kuk Sool Won. I'm totally new to the Martial Arts experience, and any information and help would be great!

 

For a person without much physical expertise (somewhat of a computer nerd, and not very good at sports), how might I fare?

 

How acrobatic is the art, and how physically demanding is it compared to other Martial Arts? Is there any general information (besides the stuff I've read on the official site) that I should know?

 

How applicable is this art to real life situations pertaining to self defense? Is it generally a sporty art, or is it a combative art (Flash vs. Function, I guess)?

 

I'm not too interested in the competitive aspect of it, it's something I want to pursue in tandem with my school life (University student pursuing a CS degree) at my own pace, for my own physical and mental self improvement. Is this art a good one for me?

 

The website of the dojo in my city is here...

 

http://kswbrown.com/

 

What do you all think? Can you tell if it's one of these McDojos I keep hearing about? Thank you all for your time, it's greatly appreciated!

[cross]

For a person without much physical expertise (somewhat of a computer nerd, and not very good at sports), how might I fare?

 

I dont know much about KSW specifically but you will find that most traditional martial arts are very personal things. Meaning you study at your own pace and the aim is to constantly improve yourself both physically and mentally. So it really doesnt matter how good you are to begin with because you will always improve.

[ZR440]

I'm going to move this over to the Korean forums where it should noticed more by current KSW students and instructors.

[DLopez]

I know you would enjoy your experience in Kuk Sool Won training.

 

Kuk Sool Won is about the furthest from a McDojo as you can get!

 

We learn the usual aspects of a Korean martial art, the punching and kicking techniques. The kicking starts off with basic standing kicks, then as you progress, you learn the more difficult jumping, spinning, and low spinning kicks, but never before you are ready for them. You will also however, start learning in your very first lesson, the basic foundational form, or Ki Cho Hyung, and the first set of joint lock techniques, Ki Bohn Soo.

 

But probably the most important aspect of Kuk Sool Won that you will begin learning and notice right away, is the emphasis on etiquette. This is one of the biggest things that separates the quality dojangs from the McDojos.

 

Sparring is entirely up to you, but depending on your dojang, when you are able to start participating can vary. Our dojang has the requirement of being yellow belt level at least before you can start sparring. You will find that sparring does not have a lot of emphasis placed on it in Kuk Sool Won, though. We only spar once a week, as there's just too much to learn with the forms and techniques.

 

The techniques will take time to learn to apply them effectively, as we learn not only joint locks and throws, but how to use pressure points (accupressure) to enhance the effectiveness of the locks and throws.

 

The forms in Kuk Sool Won are really beautiful when performed properly. They emphasize footwork as well as hand work, low stances which builds strength in your legs, and develop great balance.

 

Check out this video link to see what the joint lock and throwing techniques, and also what Ki Cho Hyung looks like when performed correctly:

 

Black belt promotion and demo

 

Yes, you will learn how to fall like that too, in Kuk Sool Won. Don't worry though, you won't be expected to be that good right away! Remember, that was a black belt demo'ing those techniques.

 

Later, once you've progressed in rank (at least red or brown belt), another entirely new aspect of martial arts will become available to you - weapons training. Weapons training will start off with the long staff and perhaps the Korean straight sword and Jool Bong (nunchakus). I really look forward to each weapons class.

 

You should be able to contact the KSW dojang in your area and schedule a free class to experience first hand what KSW is like. Most KSW instructors are very amenable to that.

 

I hope you decide to at least go see what it's like for yourself!

[aefibird]

Great video link Dean, thanks!

[enigmatic_cat]

Thank you for the video Mr. Lopez, it's really great!

 

I have another question, what aspects of martial arts is the focus of Kuk Sool Won? I know Tae Kwon Do focuses on Kicks more than punches, and Jiu Jitsu and Judo with grappling and throwing, but KSW?

 

It's hard to find much information regarding KSW when it isn't too popular, but I guess that's a good thing, since there's nil chance of it being a McDojo, right?

 

Also, I've recently attended a free session in a Shaolin Kung Fu dojo, but I refused to go back since the instructor wasn't a very nice guy at all, he'd have been trying to work with . One thing I noticed is that it was a very competitive school, after each session, he'd make each student practice his forms in front of everyone else, regardless of their experience (even me, as a FIRST timer). I wasn't comfortable enough to do it at that time, but it was a requirement apparently. Is it common to do this in Kuk Sool Won dojos, or any martial art dojo in general? I wasn't really too comfortable doing it at that time, especially since I'm very clumsy to begin with, hehe.

[enigmatic_cat]

Another question, how much should I expect to pay monthly for a class like this? What's a reasonable price?

[DLopez]

Thank you for the video Mr. Lopez, it's really great!

 

I have another question, what aspects of martial arts is the focus of Kuk Sool Won? I know Tae Kwon Do focuses on Kicks more than punches, and Jiu Jitsu and Judo with grappling and throwing, but KSW?

 

Glad you liked the vid! That particular school is in Alameda, California.

 

I would say there is an equal emphasis on the punching/kicking, techniques, and forms. However, the techniques (joint locks/throws/grapples) and forms are probably what differentiates KSW the most from other styles.

 

 

One thing I noticed is that it was a very competitive school, after each session, he'd make each student practice his forms in front of everyone else, regardless of their experience (even me, as a FIRST timer). I wasn't comfortable enough to do it at that time, but it was a requirement apparently. Is it common to do this in Kuk Sool Won dojos, or any martial art dojo in general? I wasn't really too comfortable doing it at that time, especially since I'm very clumsy to begin with, hehe.

 

When it's time to practice forms in KSW, you will perform it along with everyone else, not in front of everyone while they just watch. Especially if you are just learning it. You won't be expected to learn the entire form in one lesson either, it just doesn't happen.

 

Also, competition among students is not encouraged. You are competing mostly against yourself in KSW. Now, when we spar, we have to go compete against each other, but it is understood that when the gloves come off, everyone is on the same team again and we are all trying to make each other better.

 

Again, that is just a natural offshoot from the practice of etiquette.

 

There will come a time when you are expected to know the forms, like when you are getting close to testing for a stripe or a belt, and then you will be expected to perform it on demand, but by then you should be confident enough that you know it and can do it.

 

As for the price, it can vary between $70/month to over $100/month. Dojangs that have Master level (5th degree black belt and above) instructors will probably be on the higher end of the scale, while 2nd degree black belts may charge on the lower end.

 

One thing I've become aware of though is that it is certainly worth that much considering what all is available to learn. Obviously however, you must consider how much you are capable of handling.

 

Don't let it bother you that you might be learning from "just" a 2nd degree black belt. My instructor is "just" a 2nd degree black belt, and his instruction only allowed me to win 2 gold medals and a silver medal in the 2003 Kuk Sool Won World Championships tournament held in Houston last October.

 

Trust me, a 2nd degree black belt knows waaaaaaaaay more than I do!

 

Most of your learning will be up to you and how hard you apply yourself.

[enigmatic_cat]

Thanks again for the info, it's really appreciated!!

I would say there is an equal emphasis on the punching/kicking, techniques, and forms. However, the techniques (joint locks/throws/grapples) and forms are probably what differentiates KSW the most from other styles.

 

How would you say that the locks/throws/grapples differentiate KSW from other arts?

When it's time to practice forms in KSW, you will perform it along with everyone else, not in front of everyone while they just watch. Especially if you are just learning it. You won't be expected to learn the entire form in one lesson either, it just doesn't happen.

 

Well, in the Kung Fu class, we did practice our forms along with everyone else, but at the end of class, the instructor would make everyone in the class do their forms one at a time in front of everyone (the instructor wasn't really helpful with his critiques either, and would sometimes be abrasive). I was a bit uncomfortable with this, as I wasn't experienced at all, especially when the instructor wasn't helping much with his attitude.

 

The KSW instructor in my city is a Third Degree Black-Belt. I'm under the impression that Kuk Sool Won is a bit more comprehensive than other arts, and takes things much slower than usual (from what I've read). On the flip side, it allows you to gain a much more comprehensive understanding of the katas, and how they fit in with the artform (am I correct here?)

 

Most martial arts places charge on average about 45-50 dollars/month here... then again our cost of living here is much lower than you would find anywhere else, so I'm thinking that it might be less than 70-100 dollars (hopefully, since I'm a poor College student), I'll call the dojo to make sure tomorrow.

 

I'm thinking of going to watch the adult class tomorrow, to gauge how it is . Here's hoping that it'll be great!

 

[EDIT]

 

One more thing, might you have any more KSW videos? I'm still curious, hehe.

[aefibird]

I'm thinking of going to watch the adult class tomorrow, to gauge how it is . Here's hoping that it'll be great!

 

Hope you enjoy the class!

 

I've never had first-hand experience with KSW (as my nearest school is miles away), but from what I've heard of KSW from the guys on these forums it is an excellent style. I'm sure that you'll love it.