Last Friday I was given a chance of a lifetime to meet some really great people.
Every 2 years, the Kuk Sool Grand Master, In Hyuk Suh, travels around with his sons, school to school giving us a good 3 hour training that is not based on Kuk Sool but on the fundamentals of martial arts.
There are 5 important fundamentals that we need. Every time they visit they teach us one of those points.
Force
Speed
Balance
Concentration
Control
We can add to this list as well in order to improve ourselves, some that are just as important like respect, focus, coordination, flexibility etc.
This round was focussed on balance. We were taught ways to train our bodies, reteach the muscles and reflexes so that we are not relying on our eyes but on our sensors. To not think but to trust in these abilities.
The day first started by me getting a speeding ticket. I didn't want to be late and thought that if I am late, I would rather not show up, I don't want to disrespect anyone especially the Grand Master by being a horrible disciple. This man traveled the world to come to us and I show up being late? I don't think so. I am ok with the speeding ticket. My choices that I pay for.
When I walked in, I see this small man in yellow, walking around silently. He carried a very serious face and didn't really interact with anyone.
I tried taking some pictures but I felt again like I was being disrespectful and so I tried going ninja mode with it, but I failed horribly lol. As you can tell it is not a great picture and most pictures I were able to grab were of his back.
We were called to our positions, on our knees and gave our salutes. I was nervous, been nervous since the day before. I couldn't stop thinking of what would be expected of me and felt that I didn't have enough of what it takes to be in his presence. This man has done so much in his life, it is something to be impressed about. He has even won a nobel peace prize and in my opinion, a grand being to look up to.
Here is a demonstration he did in his younger years.
http://kuksoolwon.wikia.com/wiki/File:Kuk_Sool_Won_-_Gene_Gause_5
Started with warm ups like rotations of the head, knees, ankles, arms and waist, then with stretches and sit ups. We all worked up a bit of sweat, preparing us for what's to come.
The next warm up was a series of hand strikes, blocks, punches, palm strikes and elbow strikes. It was a new series we learned that worked out our memory, speed and reflex. Each time got faster and each time he striked or blocked we had to do a kiap (a shout). What was so different about this is that our kiaps had to be quite loud. The masters were telling us to be louder and louder. I think it was the loudest we have all ever been in a class.
The evening prior to this event, I had talked with 
We repeated these movements for quite some time. We were really sweating at this point. Everyone had beads of sweat running down their temples, we were loving it!
Then came the time for the actual training. We were explained how important balance was, that our eyes are not the key to balance. Trusting in our feet as sensors and our ears, listening and being aware of our surroundings.
The trainings consisted of having mats on the floor with 2 different sizes of flexible wooden boards in the middle. A wider one and a thinner one.
The first thing we had to do was 'walk the planks' without looking down. We had to reach the end and walk backwards.
Sounds easy and it was the easiest of all we had to do, but it was still challenging to not look and because the boards were flexible, it still challenged my balance. Oh I forgot to mention, I am horrible with balance. BUT I am getting better with it.
After that one we walked with a spin. So again walked forward, spun, reached the end, walked backwards, spun etc.
The next was with a kick, then it was a jump kick and also a cartwheel and a fast spin kick. Admitting to all of you, I have never done a cartwheel, not even as a child and I don't plan to. The challenge is definitely there.
You know the saying 'Everything happens for a reason'? Well that was the case. The challenging part was we had to do all of that at once. So imagine being on the thinner board and having to a spin, jump kick, reach the end, do a cartwheel, ending with a spin kick all without looking down and trying to stay on the flexing board. It may sound easy but it is not. Even the best ones in the class struggled with that. The one showing us the series has also stepped off once. Just once though.... Man I wish I could do kicks like him, wow!
After that we had a bit of fun doing what we already knew. We had to do our hyungs, (series of movements like a choreography) on the planks. This was especially challenging because we were often thinking too much. Too much on having to keep balance and not looking down that we were forgetting our next moves in the series, often questioning ourselves. I remember someone repeating, trust in what you already know and use your senses to keep your balance.
I was not quite successful on that. But that's ok because once we were done all that practice, In Hyuk Suh's son said to everyone, 'Do not compare yourself to anyone. Only compare yourself to yourself from yesterday, always trying hard to be better today.' Man that could not have come at a better time. I am always comparing myself, in which it is always bringing myself down often feeling discouraged.
At the end we held a little ceremony for the black belts that gained another dan (degree). They had the honors of having the Grand Master give them their kuk sool won pins and certificates.
Again had to sneak in pictures. I think I'm going to buy a new phone just to have a better camera on it, plus its easier to stash in my doh buk (suit).
We then all got a certificate for attending followed by a dvd showing middle level techniques (pressure points, locking techniques, forms and defences and Master's demonstrations. Getting the chance to shake the VIP's hands as well.
I had also purchased a very helpful book,
A t-shirt,
And took the opportunity to get my belt signed by Grand Master,
I know it seems like I am a crazy, die hard fan, well, I am a fan of course. I think these things are important and one of lifetime chances. These are memories I get to keep, thinking I may never get the chance to meet this man again. I mean, he is a living history of the Korean Martial Arts.
At the end of the seminar, I left feeling more motivated. I learned more self respect and more courage. With these new training skills that I can apply at home and practice, I will be that much better for when classes start back up in September.
Practice is key and with all the fundamentals applied, we can all reach the sky!
KUK SOOL!
I had this post be a 2 in 1. This experience is quite a positive one for me in so many ways. I Will come back later on to add the information about the challenged. I need more time.