What an excellent class we had on Friday last week and Monday of this week. Master Martin went through the first 15 Ki Bohn Soo techniques with us at Master level. He explained there are 3 levels of practitioner for Kuk Sool Won which I have heard from other Senior Masters too:
- Student Level
- Instructor Level
- Master Level
Master Martin recently spent some time with 9th Degree Black Belt Master Barry Harmon at the UK Seminar where Master Barry was demonstrating how to execute these basic techniques at a very advanced level.
Ki Bohn Soo are the first techniques taught to beginners at Kuk Sool Won. Even though they are very effective I was thrilled to learn how to apply the technique to a higher standard when I learned them at the "Instructor Level" many years ago.
Then over the last couple of lessons, we have been shown how to execute the techniques at Master Level. Man, I tell you I was blown away. It was like learning them all over again! The subtle differences in the execution makes all the difference. The effectiveness of the technique was stunning (and very painful!).
Years ago I often used to ask myself - why not teach it this way to begin with? Then we could all be awesome at beginner level, and I wouldn't have to learn the same techniques three different ways.
The thing is, I didn't understand the time and practice required to understand each technique at its fundamental level. "Ki Bohn Soo" translates as "Foundation Level Technique". As such they are the very foundation of the thousands of techniques that follow. Plus - you have to take your time to learn them, make them become second nature so you don't have to think to execute the technique. And, probably most importantly - when learning as a beginner the movements are strange to us, our bodies are not conditioned for the manipulation we put them through when doing the technique as well as having them done on us. If the advanced versions of the technique are taught from beginner level there would be serious injuries from the early stages of development as a martial artist and that would lead to long periods of not training while the joints and muscles repair which in turn can lead to students leaving.
I understand the need for the different levels as I have matured as a martial artist and it was a real pleasure (and a treat) to receive such a high level of tuition for these techniques. We are privileged to have a 6th Degree Master teaching our classes.
I for one really enjoyed the session and my good lady wife Psbn Helen really enjoyed it too having the opportunity to hurt me with these fundamental techniques! Two days after the lesson I was still sore!
We need more practice!
Picture sourced from http://www.lowestoftkuksoolwon.co.uk/


A truely lovely afternoon and proper bonding time with father and son.