Kuk Sool Update!

I've now been practising the traditional Korean Martial Art of Kuk Sool Won continuously now for over thirty years .

Last weekend I participated in a Masters' training session held in Norwich, with the Grandmasters two eldest son's.

I have to say it was one of the best sessions that I've had for many years and it gave me every reason to want to continue practising this wonderful martial art for several years to come.

Although our Association has been going through some major changes over the past couple of years, I felt re-assured that our art has not lost some of it's more traditional aspects, despite what some people might think.

As Master Alex Suh (the Grandmasters 2nd eldest son) suggested that just because we are more concerned with putting into place more of the safety aspects these days, the techniques that we do learn are still as effective, if executed to their full extent.

Admittedly the Kuk Sool style that I initially learnt at the very beginning is totally different to that which is practised today, I do however personally enjoy my training just as much as I ever did, if not even more.

As long as we still have 'true' Masters like Sung Jin Suh & Alex Suh teaching us, there's definitely no need to look elsewhere for any other martial art training - these guys' are the best of the best and certainly know their particular art inside out.



Kuk Sool!

Weekend In Edinburgh

I've just returned home after spending a weekend in Edinburgh, Scotland, with my wife Alison. It wasn't a vacation as such, more of a working holiday, if you can call practising Kuk Sool work.

The thing that I've always loved about the 'Scottish' is that have a natural fighting spirit, probably gained through all of the years fighting against (us) the English. The other thing that I most like about visiting Scotland is they seem to be the most friendliest and hospitable people on the planet.

My first visit to teach martial arts in Scotland started near-on twenty years ago (this April). Before that time I had only visited Scotland once as a tourist in my late teens.

My intial impression of a 'true-Scot' came about when I literally met a young hot-headed, fiesty nineteen year old lad who began practising at my martial art school in my home town in Suffolk.

The guy's name was Donald and I recognised the fact that he had great potential to become an outstanding martial art practitioner, however I just needed to help him through a difficult stage in his life by supporting him with Kuk Sool training.

At this time Donald had a major problem.... he became homesick and deeply missed the Scottish Highlands and needed to return home to his native town of Thurso, Caithness.

To cut a long story short, Donald invited me to visit him in the North of Scotland to help him continue with his practice, which I must add I was rather reluctant to do so to start with. Eventually his persistence wore me down and I took him up on his offer to visit.

Thurso just happens to be the most northerly town on the British mainland, however after that first initial visit, despite the length of the 700 mile journey I knew that I just had to return.

I kept my promise to Donald by returning more than thirty times to Caithness to help him progress to gain his black belt and beyond. Together Donald and I established the first Kuk Sool School in Scotland, which incidentally is still in existence today and now run by SBN Cathy Smith.

To bring this story up to date, Donald moved to Edinburgh in 1996 to teach Kuk Sool professionally. He is currently preparing for his final test toward 5th Degree Black Belt in May/June 2010.

Alison's and my job this weekend in Edinburgh was to add the final touches to Donald's preparation for Master level. We gave him a small test to see how he was progressing, which I'm pleased to say he breezed through.

In April, Donald and ourselves are returning to the birthplace of Scottish Kuk Sool - Thurso, to celebrate twenty years of training and I know for all of us it should bring back plenty of good memories.

The best thing about the whole situation over the last twenty years has been watching Donald mature from a hot-headed teenager - into an outstanding, responsible Instructor of the martial arts.

I'm proud of his achievement.

Kuk Sool European Championships & Masters Exhibition

Normally I find our annual Kuk Sool martial art tournament a real chore, but this year I have to say that I enjoyed myself emensely.

Without the added pressure of having too many of my own students competing, I was able to relax a little and enjoy the days events.

On Saturday evening after the competition we held the Masters Demo and I'm pleased to add, I felt that I had renewed energy to give a more vibrant display myself. Something I had been struggling with over the last few years.

Without trying to blow my own trumpet too much, I even managed to pull off a mid-air acrobatic somersault during my particular part of the exhibition, something I haven't dared attempt for well over ten years.

My current eating and exercise regime is certainly paying dividends and I can honestly say that I feel that there is life in the 'old dog' yet. In fact as I've said in previous posts I literally feel ten years younger. (Now the somesault proves it.)

I may not be able to leap around like some of the youngsters who perform in our exhibitions, but I'm certainly proud of the fact that myself and my wife (KJN) Ali still have what it takes to perform well.

I can't wait for the next one in November in Liverpool.

P.S. The picture above shows my daughter Rachel and wife Ali, pictured with Kuk Sool Grandmaster, In Hyuk Suh, directly after the Master Exhibition on Saturday night - Rachel was also promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt the same evening.

Master Training

After yesterday's five-hour training session with the Grandmasters eldest son Master Sung Jin Suh I'm now beginning to feel the effects.

Soreness and stiffness of my muscles are now beginning to materialise and simple tasks like walking up the stairs or sitting down on a chair require added care.

From past experience the only cure for this that I've found is to exercise a little bit more today, but at the moment I'm still trying to recover and am feeling slightly exhausted.

Despite this we had a wonderful time being taught by one of the World's top martial artist and of course it was great to be a student again.

During the session we covered high level weapons, empty handed forms, as well as learning different ways to practice self-defence techniques, which was all very interesting.


Overall it was a really great and inspiring session. I loved it!!

Kuk Sool Training For UK Masters

Tomorrow, I have the pleasure in training with the Grandmasters eldest son Master Sung Jin Suh - 8th degree Black Belt.

It is a special session for all of the UK Kuk Sool Masters and I'm thoroughly looking forward to it.

I already anticipate it being a rather physical session (because I've never trained with Master Sung Jing and found it anything but.)

Watch out for following posts if you want to find out what we got up too!

PICTURES FROM HOUSTON - CONTINUED

This time while visiting Kuk Sool HQ in Houston I just couldn't seem to get a photo taken with the Grandmaster - except for the one that I've included.

This large full-scale picture is displayed at HQ Dojang - So I took the liberty.

Hope you like it as much as I do.

PICTURES FROM HOUSTON

6th Degree Black Belt

As you may have gathered from the picture in my last post - I have recently been promoted to 6th degree black belt in the Traditional Korean Martial Art of Kuk Sool Won.

Although I was ready to perform one final test at Kuk Sool HQ in Tomball Texas, I was informed that it was not necessary to test any further as I'd already passed all the requirements for my particular level.

The picture that I've included in this particular post shows myself and three other UK Kuk Sool Masters; from left ~ right Master Steve Whiting, Master Steven Isaacson, Master John Watson, and myself, all promoted to 6th Dahn.

Together over many years of practice we have progressed through the Kuk Sool ranks and I have to say that although we're all approaching the grand old age of fifty, for a bunch of oldies we can still pack a pretty good punch between us.

So look out for the 'Four Horseman' of Kuk Sool on the official DVD of the WKSA 2008 anniversary Masters' Exhibition

Training Schedule

Sorry SBN Kris - but I love this old photo of us together - brings back fond memories

Getting back to my individual training preparations for the World Championship in October. I am currently allowing myself a minimum of one hour a day practice.

Now this might not sound much like hard training, but I am slowly building and preparing much like a person who is making preparations to run a Marathon.

During this one-hour I allow myself time to go through all my of my eighteen forms or Hyungs, (including weapons forms) which takes me approximately forty-five minutes and then self-defence technique revision to finish.

It is recommended by our Grandmaster In Hyuk Suh that when practicing Kuk Sool forms/hyungs, each one should be individually practiced in four directions.

For myself this will consists in me performing seventy-two forms in straight succession without stopping and will take around two hours to complete. Now thats a workout.

As I've mentioned, this is something I intend to gradually be building up to over the next few weeks and will have completed it several times before I leave for Houston in October.

Kuk Sool Won - 50th Anniversary

With our flight tickets already booked, Alison and I will begin making our preparations to attend the 50th anniversary of Kuk Sool Won, held in Houston Texas, October 2008.

Over the weekend of the 11th & 12th October the World Kuk Sool Championships & Masters Exhibition will also be held, with competitors and practitioners attending from all around the globe.

As i've already mentioned this year is a special year as it also incorporates the 50th anniversary of Kuk Sool Won, which was individually founded by Grandmaster In Hyuk Suh back in 1958.

Begining this morning I officially started my training for this event. Although I'm not competing I will be expected to referee and participate in the Masters Exhibition as well as maybe performing a final test for my 6th degree Black belt.

Over the last few weeks I have started slowly to improve my overall fitness levels by cycling and running, now it's time to get down to serious business with the martial arts.

I recently heard someone say that Kuk Sool Won Black Belts wear flashy uniforms but don't really train that hard. - Interesting perception!

I have to admit, the 'Generals Uniforms' that we do wear for demo purposes do look fantastic don't they.

As for training - of course when I'm totally focused on a goal or a desired outcome, I become very obsessed with practising.

In-turn when my own energy level rises, that also naturally follows into my martial art schools as well. So watch out everyone KJN is returning back to his very best, (or worst.) depending on how you view things.

Follow my blog over the next few weeks and I will highlight some of my training routines and preparations for the World Championships.

Kuk Sool Won - Traditional Korean Martial Art

You're probably wondering why I haven't mentioned much about martial arts in my blog so far, especially if you're interested in Kuk Sool Won.

Well having practiced Kuk Sool religiously myself for over thirty years and dedicated over two thirds of my life to the art, I thought I would try and stay clear a little of what it is that I do for my living.

Of course I'm still passionate about practising and teaching Kuk Sool, but I really feel that it is a good project for me to write about something slightly different. Lets face it I've probably got enough stories and experiences to write several books on martial arts alone.

Obviously Kuk Sool training does contribute enormously to the overall picture of what it is that I'm trying to achieve in becoming fighting fit, but I have to admit that I'm finding it rather refreshing to discover alternative ways of keeping fit, such as walking, cycling, running and swimming; before you know it I'll be entering a triathlon.