As a martial arts system, Kuk-Sool covers the entire spectrum of the established Asian fighting arts and body conditioning techniques, as well as mental development and traditional weapons training. These include (but are not limited to):
HAND TECHNIQUES
- Closed and open hand striking methods, utilizing:
back or side of the hand, wrist, palm, fingers, fingertips, and fist;
also included are special hand conditioning exercises - Striking with the forearm, elbow, and shoulder
- Pressure point striking
- Blocking and parrying
LEG TECHNIQUES
- Fundamental kicks
- Spinning kicks
- Jumping kicks
- Combination kicks.
- Double-leg kicks (i.e. kicking with both legs simultaneously)
- Pressure point kicking
- Specialty kicking
THROWING and GRAPPLING
- Body throws
- Projection throws
- Leg throws
- Pressure point grappling
- Grappling defense
- Wrestling techniques
- Ground fighting
JOINT-LOCKING TECHNIQUES
- Restraining methods
- Joint breaking techniques
- Multiple/Combination joint locking
- Escorting techniques (which allow you to control and redirect another person but rely on exact methods of joint manipulation and pain-compliance)
FALLING TECHNIQUES and ACROBATICS
- Conditioning the body for impact resistance
- Landing postures and other body protection techniques
- Agility training
- Acrobatics for defense and offense
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
- etc.
TRADITIONAL KOREAN WEAPONS
- Sword: short/long; single/double; straight/inverted
- Staff: short/middle/long; single/double
- Jointed Staff (flail): double/triple
- Spear
- Cane
- Rope
- Fan
- Bow and Arrow
Kuk·Sool also includes the use of certain weapons from horseback.
MARTIAL ART HEALING METHODS
- Acupressure
- Acupuncture
- Internal energy systems
- Herbal medicine
MEDITATION and BREATHING TECHNIQUES
- Various breath control techniques
- Meditation and breathing postures
- Concentration techniques
As you can see, Kuk-Sool covers an extensive variety of martial art techniques, but it is not merely concerned with methods of attack and defense. Mental development is of equal importance in Kuk-Sool and certain aspects of the training help to instill confidence and self-discipline, as well as emphasize the ethical and philosophic values which are usually associated with the character of a martial artist.
Although the way in which Kuk-Sool is practiced today was formulated on relatively newer teaching models, the framework was based on ancient cultural traditions of the Korean people. In fact, this early history is considered so important that it’s believed the physical techniques will not sufficiently enrich one’s understanding of martial arts without an appreciation of these classical roots, and thereby allow you to truly grow as a student of the traditional Korean martial arts.
Please visit The Kuk-Sool Global Alliance for more information about Kuk Sool.