Why Choose Kuk Sool Won™?

With literally dozens of different martial arts on offer, why choose Kuk Sool Won™ for martial arts training? "Martial Arts" is a very broad term and can encompass many different types of techniques, from the striking and kicking of Tae Kwon Do and Karate, the throwing and grappling techniques of Hapkido, Judo and Jujitsu or the exotic weapons and animal style techniques of Kung Fu. While it would ordinarily be necessary for you to attend several different schools in order to get all these different techniques, Kuk Sool Won™ of Islington we offer them all and much more in a single comprehensive system.

About Kuk Sool Won™ of Islington, London

Kuk Sool of Islington hopes to provide you with first class martial art training in a friendly, family environment. Come along and you will see how quickly all our students progress in all aspects of their training and professional standard which is set by our senior students, black belts and instructors. We believe that by providing an 'individual' service to every student you will soon achieve your own personal goals.

Class Structure

What to expect in your First Class

Your first class is going to introduce you to a whole new world and can be quite overwhelming with uniforms, bowing and someone speaking a foreign language. Classes can also be quite physically demanding but we want you to do in your first class is have fun and with you really deciding how much you do and want you want to learn. We will usually appoint a senior belt to work with you through the class and show you some of the basics.

Classes are fairly standardised in structure so this is what should happen:

• Meet your instructors and class mates
• Start class with traditional bows
• Warm up and stretch
• Class - we will try to work through all aspects of the Kuk Sool syllabus and there may also be cardiovascular exercises included. Some of the exercises are done as a class but some are split depending on what belt you are. As a beginner you will be with one of our instructors or black belts for this part of the class
• Stretch and cool down
• Finish class with traditional bows

What to bring to your first class

Loose comfortable clothing (e.g. tracksuit bottoms and t-shirt), we train in our bare feet so no need to bring trainers. You might also want to bring some water for water breaks and after training. Water and sports drinks can be purchased from the gym.

Who Can Benefit from Kuk Sool?

From fitness to self-defence to a challenging activity for the entire family, Kuk Sool Won™ offers it all. Whether you are an athlete looking for an additional challenge, a student/professional looking for a way to get back in shape or someone interested in increasing their level of confidence and self-defence skills in a troubling and uncertain time, at Kuk Sool Won™ of Islington there is something for you.

• A great way to maintain fitness and flexibility
• Stress reduction
• Learn valuable self-defence skills
• Maintain a youthful appearance and attitude
• Restore and maintain health, and boost your immune system
• Have fun while developing new life skills

For Women

• Great way to lose weight and maintain a high level of fitness
• Excellent low impact aerobic activity for better health and increased muscle tone
• Helps to maintain a healthy, youthful appearance
• Increase and maintain flexibility and coordination
• Learn the skills you need to protect yourself and your loved ones
• The natural and fluid motion of our martial art is perfect for women

For Anyone With Previous Martial Arts Experience

• Kuk Sool Won™ is different
• Kuk Sool Won™ is a dynamic, vibrant and comprehensive system
• Kuk Sool Won™ can be considered a graduate level program in martial arts with techniques encompassing the full spectrum of Asian martial arts systems
• Regardless of your previous style or level of training, you will find similarities to make our program understandable and exciting new material to keep you challenged
• With the thousands of techniques in Kuk Sool Won™ we can take you as far as you want to go!

Facilities

Vie Health Clubs, 22 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL
NCP car parking 2mins walk
Male and female changing rooms with shower facilities
Purpose martial arts room, with veriety of bat target pads, heavy duty kicking pads and heavy bags
Fully matted floor
Gym shop stocks cold drinks

Frequently asked questions

During Practice

• Be on time for class and attend regularly
• If you arrive late, ask for permission to join the class. If you wish to leave early ask permission
• Do not leave the practice area for any reason without permission
• If your uniform needs adjusting face away from the flags, kneel on your right knee when you fix it
• When in class, do not slouch or lean, cross your legs and sit properly
• Concentrate on training. Never do anything to obstruct your own or others learning. There should be no unnecessary talking or horseplay during training
• Practice to your full potential, push yourself to the limit of your endurance, energy and concentration
• Keep a strong mind. Don’t let fears or doubts overshadow you. Don’t show your weariness, it is contagious and will quickly contaminate your classmates. On the other hand be realistic, don’t push yourself beyond safe limits
• Discuss any problems or questions with your instructor. Remember it is best to get your answer from the highest available authority
• Always persevere and have patience, never give up
• If you have been ill or have an injury you must inform the class instructor prior to starting the class

Kuk Sool Won Titles

White – Hindi
Yellow – Noh Rahng Di
Blue – Chuhng Di
Red – Hong Di
Brown – Ja Di>
Brown/Black – Dahn Boh

Always address instructors by their correct title. You may also say ‘sir’ or ‘Ma’am’. Using the instructors name or saying ‘hey’ is not polite or respectful.

Instructor titles are as follows:

1st Degree Blackbelt – Jo Kyo Nim
2nd Degree Blackbelt – Kyo Sa Nim
3rd Degree Blackbelt – Pu Sa Bum Nim
4th Degree Blackbelt – Sa Bum Nim
Master (5th Degree or higher) – Kwan Jang Nim
Chief Master – Chong Kwan Jang Nim
Grand Master – Kuk Sa Nim

Explanation of Kuk Sool Won uniforms

The beginning students suit is plain black with badges on the front and back. Once the student reaches Black belt (Jo Kyo Nim) the next suit worn is a black suit with gold trim and/or the Generals uniform (silver braiding). The Generals uniform is symbolic of the uniform worn in battle by Korean Generals as it has been established that rulers, especially in the military were often high-ranking martial artists. Therefore the silver would have been made from metal with the remainder of the suit leather. In the World Kuk Sool Association, different levels of rank are represented by the colour of the trim of ones’ traditional General’s uniform. Silver represents instructor level, Red represents Master level and Gold represents the Chiefmaster. When a student reaches 4th Degree (Sa Bum Nim) he/she is entitled to wear either the silver trimmed generals uniform, the Blackbelt dobok with gold trim, or the generals uniform with both silver and red trim. On reaching Masters level (Kwahn Jahng Nim) you are entitled to wear all of the above as well as the generals uniform with the complete red trim. Chief Master level (Chohng Kwahn Jahng Nim) can wear all of the above and the generals uniform with gold trim. Kuk Sa Nim wears the twin dragon emblem, which is the well-known symbol of the heavenly mandate, or legitimacy of the King’s power. Symbolic also are the colours of gold, green and lavender, as representing the royal household.

Bowing

Bowing is the most obvious way to show respect. As a martial arts student, you will bow frequently. It is important to know when and how to bow properly. Bowing represents the mutual respect that instructors and students should feel amongst themselves and towards each other. When you bow, you are not bowing to that person, but to the knowledge and skill that person has acquired, and to the rank they have attained.

The semi-formal bow

Is affected from the standing ‘attention’ position with your feet together. If you are in uniform, put your hands on your belt, thumbs hooked in, with your index fingers pointing downwards. If you are not in uniform place your hands by your sides. Bend forward from the waist at about a 90-degree angle and say ‘Kuk Sool’. Look downwards at your feet – this shows trust. This bow is used:

• To begin and end a hyung (form). If there is no instructor present, bow to the association flag, otherwise to your instructor.
• Before and after technique practice
• When entering or leaving the dojang or practice area.
• Before and after sparring. When bowing in this instance keep your eyes on your opponent’s feet so that you have him/her in vision.
• When you greet your instructor as you arrive at the dojang and when you bid your instructor farewell as you leave the dojang.

The formal bow

Is made from the kneeling position. Knees together and hands on the belt. Place your hands close together in a triangle on the floor and lower your forehead to your hands. This bow is used at the beginning and end of each class, gradings, promotion ceremonies, seminars and demonstrations. All Kuk Sool students should stop whatever they are doing and participate in the bowing whenever a class is doing formal bows. If you have an injury or are not in uniform you may do an informal bow on these occasions. When beginning and ending class, the first bow is a ‘salute to the National Flag’, the second bow is ‘salute to the Association Flag’, the third bow is ‘salute to the Grandmaster'. Usually there are bows to any instructors in the dojang and a final bow to signify ‘practice begins’ or ‘practice ends’. There are other bowing techniques i.e. with weapons, but these are taught at the appropriate levels.

The privileges and responsibilities of rank

• Obey instructors and senior classmates
• Do not disturb senior classmates whilst they practice
• Assist junior classmates
• Never attempt anything you have not been taught
• Do not teach if you are not qualified or authorised. Do not teach in or out of the dojang
• Never use your martial arts training needlessly; use only to defend good
• If the purpose is good, we will fight to win

Hyung practice principles

'Hyung' means style, pattern or form. More specifically, in the martial arts a hyung is an organised movement, which includes a series of defensive and offensive moves. A martial art hyung is a form that uses hand strikes and the principle of kicking combined with the internal power that is generated by practising Dan Jun Ki Bub (lower abdominal energy). Additionally one must be able to move the body quickly with agility and train externally in order to complete the external power. By practising in this way, one must have what is considered to be a complete form, meaning a form that combines with the internal energy and the external energy. The hyung is self-training. When performing a hyung, the student turns inwards to himself to practice self-discipline, timing, speed, power, balance, poise and co-ordination. The hyung is the perfect way to practice techniques. With only ones self to consider, the student can focus on the performance of the techniques in the hyung, rather than blocking a real blow or the position of the opponent. In order to perform a hyung properly one should follow the five principles of hyung training. When keeping these five principles in mind when practicing forms, after continuous practice the developing wearing of the joints and nerves that come with old age and use will be greatly retarded throughout the body. Joints, nerves, muscles, blood vessels and organs will become more youth like, flexible and supple. This is one example of the benefits to be derived from correct and continual hyung practice.

• Eyes sunshine bright
• Mind clear and calm
• Body low, soft and supple
• Hands fast and precise
• Feet slow and deliberate

Weapon etiquette

• Ask for permission before using a weapon in class
• Always treat weapons with care and respect. Do not lean on your weapon
• Do not touch weapons upon which you have had no authorised instruction
• Never leave a weapon unattended; when you have finished practice put it away promptly