Behaviour
This information is designed to make you a better Martial Artist. Use this as a guide to hone your discipline and show the respect required as a fellow Martial Artist.
- MARTIAL ARTIST CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
- ABOUT WEAPONS
- TITLES
- THE PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF RANK
- BOWING
- RESPECT AND OBEDIENCE
- PREPARING FOR CLASS
- HYUNG
- DO JANG: 'DO's' AND 'DON'Ts'
- PRACTICE PRINCIPLES
- DURING PRACTICE
MARTIAL ARTIST CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MARTIAL ARTS ETIQUETTE WHEN YOU BECOME A STUDENT OF KUK SOOL WON
This guide has been prepared as an introduction to Kuk Sool Won - not only the history of the art and its founder, but also the philosophy and the ATTITUDE and BEHAVIOUR expected from a student. Read it now as a beginning student. Refer to it later as memory fails or questions arise.
As a new student you will hear the word ''etiquette'' repeatedly. You will learn that proper etiquette accounts for a high percentage of your score on belt tests. You will hear the masters say that the first thing to be learned as a student of martial arts is etiquette.
What exactly do they mean by ETIQUETTE?
They mean the proper code of behaviour for a martial artist.
So.....what is proper behaviour in a martial artist? The deceptively simple answer: Any behaviour that is motivated by RESPECT. If you truly learn this martial art, it is inevitable and natural that you will develop respect for the art. In appreciating the truth and beauty of the art, you will automatically also develop respect for the teachers who impart their knowledge to you. Likewise. you will have respect for your classmates who share your learning adventure. And, also, there will be respect for yourself, the learner.
The remainder of this article consists of various rules and regulations. In reading through them and learning them, don't forget that RESPECT and manners are the rationale for their existence. As martial artists in the modern world we must always remember the five principles of the Ancients:
- Virtue
- Trust
- Intelligence
- Bravery
- Discipline
TITLES
Always address the instructors by their correct title. You may al so say ''Sir'' or "Madam" Using the instructor's first name or - saying "Hey you is not polite or respectful.
Instructor titles are listed below.
JO KYO NIM: 1st degree black belt
KYO SA NIM 2nd degree black belt
PU SA BUM NIM 3rd degree black belt
SA BUM NIM 4th degree black belt
KWAN JANG NIM Master (5th degree and higher)
CHONG KWAN JANG NIM Chief Master
KUK SA NIM Grand Master - National Martial Arts Teacher
BOWING
Bowing is the most obvious way to show respect. As a martial arts student, you will bow frequently and it is important to know when and how to bow.
Bow whenever you enter or leave the practice area of the D0 JANG
This ''DO JANG BOW" is executed by bringing the right fist over the heart (palm side facing the heart) and saying ''Kuk Sool" and then bend forward from the waist.
When you first see an instructor
Bow to your Instructor as you greet them. When you leave school, bow to an Instructor as you bid them farewell.
''Bow in'' before practice and "Bow out" after practice.
These four bows are done from a kneeling position at the beginning and ending of every class. The first bow is to the national flag; the second bow is to the association flag; the third bow is to the grandmaster (if he is present) or to his picture (if he is not in the DO JANG); and the fourth bow is student and instructor together. If you are in a D0 JANG when a class bows in, always bow with the class even if you are not ready for class or are not staying for the class. In such a situation, if you are in street clothes you may perform the bows from a standing position.
During practice
Bow to teacher when beginning and ending hyung
bow to association flag when practising hyung without supervision
bow to partners before and after sparring
bow to partners before and after techniques practice
bow any time the instructor tells you to bow
The bow is executed by bending forward from the waist slightly - about 45 degrees. Your eyes should be lowered, but you should still be able to see all of the person to whom you are bowing. If you are in uniform, then your hands should be holding your belt in the attention position; if you are in regular clothes then keep your arms at your sides.
PREPARING FOR CLASS
- Come to class clean and well groomed.
- Come to practice with a complete and presentable D0 BOK (DO BOK is the Korean word for martial arts uniform). This means the uniform should be clean and un-torn it should include underwear, Jacket, Bottoms and belt. Any T-Shirt or leotard worn under the Jacket should be black. Always treat the D0 BOK with respect; after class, fold it neatly.
- Change into your uniform without delay before practice. Always wear the full uniform at the beginning of class. If the weather is hot, you may ask permission to take off the Jacket or T-shirt after class has bowed in.
- Do not wear Jewelry during practice. Jewelry can cause injury to yourself or your partners.
- Do not use drugs except for medication. If you are ever found drunk or drugged in the D0 JANG, you may be expelled.
DO JANG: 'DO's' AND 'DON'Ts'
- Do take your shoes off before entering the practice area
- Don't sit on top of the desks
- Don't eat, drink, chew gum or smoke in the DO JANG
- Don't swear, curse or use vulgar language inside the DO JANG.
- Don't leave your DO BOK or any other possessions in the DO JANG
- Do help keep the DO JANG clean and orderly
- Do remember that we are all brothers and sisters in the Kuk Sool family
DURING PRACTICE
- Be on time for class; attend class regularly
- If you arrive late, ask for permission to Join the class. If you must leave early, ask for permission before leaving
- If your uniform needs adjusting, face away from the flags and kneel on your right knee when you fix it
- Whenever you've been told to sit down during a class session, sit properly with feet crossed or tucked under you - don't slouch or lean against walls.
- Concentrate on training. never do anything to obstruct your own or another's learning. There should be no unnecessary talking or horseplay during practice
- Practice to your full potential; push yourself to the limit of your endurance, energy and concentration
- Keep a strong mind. Don't let doubts or fears overshadow you. Also, 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 problem or question with an instructor or master. Remember, it is better to get your answers from the highest possible authority. Don't ask a brown belt if you can ask a black belt; don't ask an instructor if you can ask a master
- Always persevere and have patience. NEVER GIVE UP
If you have recently been ill, or if you are recovering from an injury. you should inform the instructor or master prior to the class starting.
ABOUT WEAPONS
- Ask for permission from an instructor to use a weapon. Usually, weapon techniques are not learned until one has earned a brown belt
- Always treat weapons with care and respect. Do not lean or rest upon your weapon
- Never leave a weapon unattended; when you have finished practising. put it away promptly
- Do not touch weapons that you have not been taught by an authorised instructor
THE PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF RANK
- Obey instructors and senior classmates
- Do not disturb senior classmates while they practise
- Help junior classmates
- Never try to do something that you haven't been taught
- Do not teach if you are not qualified. Do not teach - in or out of the DO JANG - unless you have permission
- If you wish to practise at another Kuk Sool studio, ask your instructor or master for permission to do so
- Never use your martial arts training needlessly; use only to defend good
- If the purpose is good, we will fight to win
RESPECT AND OBEDIENCE
In every Martial Art, especially Kuk Sool there is knowledge that can be harmful to human life. To assume the responsibility of placing a dangerous weapon in the hands of a stranger - literally to make a lethal weapon of the body - is a sobering experience. One of of the most crucial tests of character is whether the student is humble enough to subordinate his or her personal ego to the rules of the do Jang and respect the gravity of their new powers. The martial arts are not a store bought item that you are entitled to just because you pay for the lessons. The responsibility is too great, the implication is larger than the individual.
The function of obedience in martial arts is not subservience. Rather obedience allows one to learn the knowledge that a teacher has to offer. Because the teacher has greater knowledge and experience, his words and actions may sometimes be incomprehensible to the less knowledgeable. The student must practise obedience to his instructor or master as the means of eventually bridging the gap between his knowledge and that of his master's. Obedience becomes the key to successful learning and smooth progress.
To be a great leader, one must first be able to be a great follower. If we cannot follow the teachers instructions. how can we ever learn enough to become a leader. Leaders are made not born.
HYUNG
'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 form is a form that uses band strikes and the principle of kicking combined with the internal power that is generated by practising ''DAN JUN KI BUB" (the Principle of Lower Abdomen Energy) . Also 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 may have what is considered to be a complete form, meaning a form that combines both the Nei Gong (internal energy) and the Wei Gong (external energy).
The hyung is self training. When performing a hyung the student turns inward to himself to practise self discipline, timing, speed, power, balance, poise, and co-ordination The hyung is the perfect way to practise techniques. With only one-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.
PRACTICE PRINCIPLES
In order to perform a Kuk Sool form properly one should follow the five principles of hyung training. Keep these five principles in mind when practising forms and after continuous practice the developing decrepitude of the Joints and nerves, that comes with old age, will be greatly retarded throughout the body.
Joints, nerves, muscles, blood vessels and organs will become more youth-like. flexible and supple.
This is only a partial explanation of the benefits that one derives from practising forms correctly.
- EYES: Like Sunshine. Big. Bright Clear. Penetrating.
- SPIRIT: Calm & Composed, Clear, unshakable.
- BODY: Low, Smooth. Soft, Supple.
- HANDS: Swift. Agile. Sharp, Precise.
- FEET: Deliberate. intentional. Without haste, Precise.
Only if these five principles are observed can any Kuk Sool form be performed correctly.
In order to perfect a Black Belt level form in the art of Kuk Sool, one must practise that form an enormous amount over a long period of time.
Geum Moo Hyung (Sword Dance Form)
Geum Moo Hyung is connected by 46 motions. This is the first form for the black belt level. It is mandatory that all Kuk Sool Black Belts learn and perfect this important form. Geum Moo Hyung was originated from the Pusan. Kim-Hae and west parts of Kyung Nam area during the Kayak (Kaya) Kingdom.
Women guards of the Royal Court were the main practitioners of this form. However, instead of practising with knifes they used empty hands to attack and defend themselves and the Royal Family. This is said to be the origin of empty hand form practice in the Karak Kingdom.
Like all other Kuk Sool forms, Geum Moo Hyung uses "Dan Jun Ki Bub'' in order to concentrate the power to both arms and legs. This concentration of power enables one to attack and defend with greater strength and yet use a continued fluid motion which incorporates the principles of "Yu (soft). WON (circular), (HWA (harmony)".