What is Kuk Sool Won?

Kuk Sool Won literally translates as Korean Martial Arts Association and is a systematic study of the martial arts history of Korea.  It is a complete system that includes hand strikes, kicking, throwing, joint locking, grappling and traditional weapons training as well as meditation, ki-training, and healing techniques such as acupressure and acupuncture.  It also has a strong emphasis on making the mind & body strong and healthy using traditional and modern training methods.  Mental development is of equal importance in Kuk Sool Won, which helps instil self confidence and self discipline.

Below are some (but not all) elements of Kuk Sool Won, which shows the diversity of the system.  

 

HAND TECHNIQUES

- Closed and open hand striking methods, including: palm, fist,
wrist, finger, and specialised hand training techniques
- Pressure point striking
- Striking with arm and shoulder
- Blocking and parrying

 hand
leg

LEG TECHNIQUES

- Fundamental kicks, including: front, inside, outside, & more
- Advanced kicks, including: jumping, spinning, combination,
double leg 
- Pressure point kicking
- Specialty kicking

THROWS AND GRAPPLING

- Throws include: body throws, projection throws, hip
throws, leg throws
- Pressure point grappling
- Grappling defense
- Wrestling techniques
- Ground fighting

 throw
jointlock

JOINT LOCK TECHNIQUES

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

FALLING AND ACROBATICS

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

 rolling
splits

BODY CONDITIONING 

- Overall stretching and flexibility training
- Cardiovascular conditioning
- Muscle toning
- Ligament and tendon strengthening
- Joint flexibility and bone 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 		animal
sword TRADITIONAL KOREAN WEAPONS 

- Sword: short & long, single or double, straight or inverted 
- Staff: short, middle & long, single or double 
- Jointed Staff (flail): double or triple 
- Spear 
- Cane 
- Rope 
- Fan 
- Bow & Arrow 
- There are 24 different traditional Korean Royal Court weapons in
the curriculum of Kuk Sool Won™
MARTIAL ART HEALING METHODS

 - Acupressure 
- Acupuncture 
- Internal energy systems 
- Herbal medicine 

MEDITATION AND BREATHING

 - Various breath control techniques 
- Meditation and breathing postures 
- Concentration techniques		 meditate1