Harshness of the Art form - - Chief Instructor's Blog July 2013

Han Moo Kwan literally means Korean Military School - the word Han is the South Korea name for Korea, the word Moo means Military or Martial, and the word Kwan means School or Hall.

The name implies the intent of the art form was to use it for military purposes. The intent and of the art form is to learn techniques and philosophy to defend oneself in a combat or military situation. Because of this, the philosophy of the art form is often seen as harsh.

Keep in mind, that this fighting art is used strictly for self-defense and for improving oneself physically and spiritually. The intent being if you can not escape the situation and have to defend yourself, you will defend yourself until you feel safe again. We fight as if our life depends on it, doing whatever it takes to defend our life and neutralize the threat.

Therefore, when we need to use our techniques, we throw them offensively not defensively.
• Blocks do not stop or deflect an incoming strike or kick, blocks are used to break.
• Strikes and kicks are thrown to go through the target, shattering and damaging the target.
• In Han Moo Kwan, we do not teach to grab – we strike or crush.

Every technique is meant to cause damage, even if it is subtle. For example, there is a fist rotating move in Mepojan 2 – this is not just turning the fist, this technique is actually used to tear skin.

When practicing against air or a bag, our intent and focus on each technique should be to cause damage. If you are wondering if an application or the intent of a technique is right, think if that application is to cause damage. If it is not causing damaging, think of a different application where damage could be possible and you will find a better application and intent for the technique.

For instance, there is a technique in Pyung Ahn 3, where we turn 180 degrees and end up with both fists on our hips. I have heard several possible applications for this technique, but one that is more aligned with the Han Moo Kwan philosophy is the turn is actually more of a headlock technique that followed by the next move of a stomping side kick could do severe damage to the neck.

Even though the art form is very harsh in its intent, safety is still very important to the Club. When we practice with each other in class, we have to ensure we control our intensity so we do not damage one another significantly.

So it is important to practice with the right intent and focus so if you had to use the art form you will be effective in protecting yourself. But at the same time, you need to respect the harshness when applying against another student in class.

Regards,
Kelly

“The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable." ~ Sun Tzu (6th Century BC), Chinese General, military strategist, and author of The Art of War

Pyung Ahn Series and What You Learn From It - - Chief Instructor's Blog June 2013

In my April 2013 blog, I discussed the Kibon series and what you learn from it. In this blog, I will discuss the Pyung Ahn series. If the Kibon series is about learning to crawl and walk, the Pyung Ahn series is more about learning to run.

The Pyung Ahn series contains five forms and was created by Anko Itsou, a master of Okinawan Karate in 1907 [1], and introduced into the school systems thereafter. In Okinawan this form is called Pinan and in Japanese it is called Heian. ”Pyung-ahn" is a Korean pronunciation of the term "pin-an.”

Pinan is most often translated as "well-balanced" and "peaceful". Another translation based on the original Chinese characters is “Safe from Harm” [2, Article 39].

Pyung Ahn series is more dynamic and has more variations of transition in a specific stance or from stance to stance at various angles. Once through the Pyung Ahn series, students should feel more comfortable and competent to transition to and from any stance to any stance in any direction. Examples in the forms include:

Pyung Ahn 1:
• 90 Degree Turns in Horse Stance

Pyung Ahn 2:
• Sparring Cat Stance to Cat Stance
• Cat Stance to Natural Stance
• Natural Stance to Attack Stance
• 45 Degree/135 Degree Cat Stance Turns
• 45 Degree/135 Degree Attack Stance Turns

Pyung Ahn 3:
• Cat Stance to Closed Stance
• 360 Degree Spin into Attack Stance
• 180 Degree from Attack Stance to Closed Stance
• 180 Degree from Attack Stance to Horse Stance

Pyung Ahn 4:
• 180 Degree Turn from Sparring Cat Stance to Sparring Cat Stance
• Attack Stance to Closed Stance
• Closed Stance to 45 Degree Attack Stance
• Attack Stance to Cat Stance with leg slid behind

Pyung Ahn 5:
• Closed Stance to Attack Stance
• 270 Degrees from Attack Stance to Horse Stance
• Horse Stance to Sparring Cat Stance wit leg slid behind
• Cat Stance “jumping to” Cross Step Stance
• Cross Step Stance to Elongated Attack Stance

Pyung Ahn series also helps students focus and practice linear strikes. Some examples include:

Pyung Ahn 1:
• Forward/Downward Hammer Fist
• Double Knife Hand

Pyung Ahn 2:
• Outward Hammer Fist
• Outward Knife Hand

Pyung Ahn 3:
• Outward Hammer Fist
• Backhands
• Hook Punch

Pyung Ahn 5:
• Outward Hammer Fist
• Crescent Kick
• Outward Hammer Fist/ Hook Punch Combo

Pyung Ahn series also provides more opportunities for the students to practice becoming more competent in staying centered and balanced in techniques. Examples include:

Pyung Ahn 2:
• Extended Spear Hand

Pyung Ahn 3:
• Extended Spear Hand
• 360 Degrees to Attack Stance Outward Hammer Fist
• Stamping Side Kicks

Pyung Ahn 4:
• Attack Stance Downward ‘X’ Block
• Front Kick/Backhand combination

Pyung Ahn 5:
• Attack Stance Downward ‘X’ Block
• Attack Stance Upward ‘X’ Block
• Crescent Kick across body to the Left palm

In the Pyung Ahn series, many more combinations are introduced including combinations of two techniques at the same time.

Pyung Ahn series also provides more opportunities for the students to practice and become more competent in grounding. The techniques challenge students by trying to raise their ground, or transition to a narrower stance that requires more focus on grounding. Examples include:

Pyung Ahn 1:
• Four final Horse Stance Double Knife Hand strikes

Pyung Ahn 2:
• Opening move: Sparring Cat Stance Combination Left Medium Block / Right Rising Block combinations
• Transition from Cat Stance Reverse Straight Punch to Natural Stance
• Final move: Attack Stance Reverse Upward Punch

Pyung Ahn 3:
• Opening move : Closed Stance Combination Right Medium Block/ Left Low Block
• 360 Degrees to Attack Stance Outward Hammer Fist

Pyung Ahn 4:
• Opening move : Sparring Cat Stance Combination Outward Ridge Hand / Knife Hand Rising Block
• Closed Stance Hook Punch
• Rear Leg Front Kick to Cat Stance with leg slid behind transition
• Attack Stance Upward and Forward Double Palm Strike
• Knee Strike to 180 Degree Cat Stance Attack

Pyung Ahn 5:
• Transition to and execution of Closed Stance Hook Punch
• Attack Stance Upward ‘X’ Block
• 270 Degree Turn to Horse Stance Combination Right Stamping Side Kick/ Right Outward Hammer Fist/ Left Hook Punch
• Right Crescent Kick across body to the Left palm
• Sparring Cat Stance Reverse Medium Block with Left palm fingertips under Right elbow transition to setting Right fist Upward
• Transition from Cross Step Downward ‘X’ Block to Elongated Attack Stance Combination Medium Block/ Low Block
• Transition from Elongated Attack Stance Combination Medium Block/ Low Block to second Elongated Attack Stance Combination Medium Block/ Low Block

Many techniques throughout the Pyung Ahn series do not use reciprocals. This is intentional and provides students ways practice and become effective in throwing techniques without relying on reciprocals to provide power.

For advanced students, they should look at all techniques and ensure their energy is linear even though aspects of the techniques may appear not to be linear. The Pyung Ahn series also introduces some techniques that attempt to split energy. Black Belt students should practice these techniques focusing on keeping the energy centered.

As in the Kibon series, students should also practice and study the techniques and combinations in the Pyung Ahn series in self-defense applications, including the transitions and the turns.

In addition, students should take any aspect of a technique learned in the Pyung Ahn series and apply it to the Kibon series.

The Pyung Ahn series has so much information and challenges within these five forms it could take decades to master all if it. Take your time and study each aspect of these five forms.

Gichin Funakoshi in reference to these forms wrote “Having mastered these five forms, one can be confident that he is able to defend himself competently in most situations [3]”.

In future blogs, I will describe the overall goals of the advanced hyung.

Regards,
Kelly

“To practice kata is not to memorize an order. You must find the kata that work for you, understand them, digest them and stick with them for life." ~ Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), founder of Shotokan Karate

References
1. The Essence of Okianwan Katate-Do by Shoshin Nagamine
2. http://www.iainabernethy.com/articles/article_home.asp
3. Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text by Gichin Funakoshi

Everything Has a Meaning and Use - - Chief Instructor's Blog May 2013

In the beginning we refer to transitions as preps or turns, or even just as a transition. In the beginning we teach you to crawl before you walk before you run, so we ensure you proactive the prep and turns mechanically correct but do not focus on the intention or the application of these techniques. One step at a time. The reality is there is no such thing as just a prep, turn, or transition. These are actually moves in and of themselves. The technique is not just the end position and a strike or kick at the end. The movement and motion to the end position are strikes and part of the technique itself. Every movement is a useful technique and has a meaning. Everything we do, we do for a reason and is part of Han Moo Kwan. Everything.


Let’s look at a couple of examples.

High block/ low block prep:

• At the completion of the prep, this can be used as a guard to your upper body and sternum.
• The transition from the prep to a low block is actually the start of the strike. It can be used to escape from a wrist grab, for example.
• The transition from the prep to a high block can be used as a forearm strike or a an elbow strike as you move to the final position of a high block.

Medium block prep:

• At the completion of the prep, this can be used as a guard to your upper body and sternum.
• This prep is an excellent block against a round-house or turn-away kick.
• The prep can be used to defend against a lapel/shoulder grab or a double lapel /shoulder grab.
• The transition from the ‘prep” to a medium block is part of the strike as you move to the final position.

Front kick prep:

• The prep of bringing the knee up can be used as a knee strike.
• It can also be used to block an opponent from coming in.

Turns in forms or basics:

• Turns in forms and basics can be used as leg sweeps or as a maneuver against an opponent.
Reciprocals:

• Reciprocal can be used as an elbow strike for an opponent behind you.
• Reciprocals can be used to draw an opponent closer from a same side or cross armed grab.

Other examples:

• The transition to an extended spear hand guard position can be used to strike downward to trap or deflect a strike.
• The transition to the final hook punch position can be an elbow strike or part of a forearm strike.
• Prep for the double knife hand in Pyung Ahn One can actually be used as a guard to a forward upper body strike as you step aside from the strike.

And the list can go on and on and on. One of the things I enjoy most about the art form is discovering what each motion and movement can be used for. What application and in what scenarios can I use this motion and movement to be effective. For me, it is what has kept the art form interesting to me for over 19 years. I continually discover new ways to use these movement and motion in self-defense, sparring, etc.

So, as you progress in the art form, and get competent in the techniques, start emphasizing and thinking of each technique not just by the final position, but in the transition as well. Start playing with applications of that motion and movement. Start recognizing that everything, everything we do in class is part of Han Moo Kwan and has a purpose and application and is useful.

Regards,
Kelly

"The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things." ~ Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584 –1645) - famous Japanese swordsman, the author of The Book of Five Rings

Kibon Series and What You Learn From It - - Chief Instructor's Blog April 2013

Kibon in Korean means basic techniques. The Han Moo Kwan Kibon series consists of five forms and is expected to be demonstrated by all students who are testing at any rank.

In our style, as in the other styles, these five forms familiarize students with forms using basic techniques and stances. The Kibon series focuses on five basics techniques (Punches, Low Block, Medium Block, High Block, and Front Kicks) in two of the basic stances (Attack Stance and Cat Stance). No additional techniques are included other than what is taught in the basics.

The overall goal of the Kibon series is to provide a means to become competent in the basics, movement, turns, and transitions and to teach beginner’s how to direct focus and energy in with their physical movements. Moves are simple and the goal is to focus on these movements until they become body memory.

In the Kibon, series students practice and become competent in the mechanics (movement, turns, and transitions) of stances:
• Turning effectively in Attack Stance (90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees)
• Turning effectively in Cat Stance (90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees)
• Transitioning from Attack Stance to Cat Stance
• Straight linear transition from Cat Stance to Attack Stance
• Turning from Attack Stance into Cat Stance (90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees)

In the Kibon, series students practice and become competent in specific techniques, their motions, and the techniques in and combination:
• Low Block/ Attack Stance
• Medium Block/ Attack Stance
• Low Block/ Medium Block/ Attack Stance
• Medium Block/ Punch/ Kick
• Medium Block/ High Block/ Kick/ Punch
• Control and manage the force and speed of the kicks outward and retracting

Students should also practice and study the techniques and combinations in self-defense applications, including the transitions and the turns.

As students become competent in the mechanics, they start to practice and become more competent in grounding based on aspects of the hyung, examples include:
• Transition from Cat Stance to Attack Stance
• Transition from Attack Stance to Cat Stance
• Turning in Attack Stance while maintaining a ground
• Set in stances
• Maintain set in Cat Stance in Kibon 3; keeping shoulder and hip alignment
• Stay grounded in Cat Stance during High Block in Kibon 4

Once students are competent in the mechanics and grounding, they can study and practice how their energy is aligned with their body such that their energy and physical movement are all in one direction.

In addition, as students practice the techniques, they become body memory, which is what allows them to focus on the grounding and energy aspects of the forms. And at the same time, as students advanced they will need to break down the techniques and mechanics again and reapply advanced concepts so the techniques do not look like beginner techniques, but are advanced techniques.
While the Kibon series appears to be basic, there is much to learn and practice in these five forms. Continue to practice and explore these hyung and discover for yourself all there is to learn and master in these hyung

In future blogs, I will describe the overall goals of the Pyung Ahn series and the advanced hyung.

Regards,
Kelly

“One becomes a beginner after one thousand days of training and an expert after ten thousand days of practice.” — Masutatsu Oyama (1923-1994), karate master who founded Kyokushinkai Karate

Learn Techniques Thoroughly - Chief Instructor's Blog March 2013

To truly understand the various techniques practiced and used in Han Moo Kwan you must learn every aspect of them. This includes the mechanical, practical, and experimental.


The mechanical aspect will ensure you are throwing the techniques correctly to maximize the benefits of the technique and to ensure you perform it safety. The mechanics of each technique are thrown in a precise manner that aligns the body’s skeletal structure with the muscles to get the maximum force without injuring oneself. An example would be alignment of the first two knuckles with straight wrists in punches to ensure any recoil force goes through the alignment of bones so no torque in the wrist results (severe sprains or a break). Some of the preciseness is to ensure the technique is as powerful as possible and less likely to be detected or blocked. This is why we throw our techniques linearly (with a few exceptions). So, it is important students are diligent in practicing and learning the mechanics so they are performed precisely.

The practical is the actual application of the technique. It is one thing to practice against air and just moving forward and back. It is not until you hit something or someone or use the techniques in sparring or self-defense that you get the feedback that the technique is being thrown properly and you can understand the practical application. It is good from time to time in self-defense or sparring to focus in one technique so you can practice that one technique and feel more comfortable in using it if you needed to in an actual self-defense scenario. The practical also includes knowing the targets and distances that are most useful for each technique. This information will also maximize the benefits when using the technique and keep you safe. For example, spear hands are effective against soft tissue areas (trachea, lower end of sternum, groin, carotid artery, eyes, armpit, etc) as a penetration strike. If you throw a spear hand against hard targets like the sternum you could injure your hand including breaking your fingers.

The experimental aspect is also important to understand the techniques. The experimental aspect can be discovered when you practice and “play” with the techniques to determine for your body, against certain opponent’s body build, or in certain ways of being attacked, a techniques is most beneficial and can be used safely. This is where you can be as imaginative and creative as possible in testing theories of how a person may move or react to certain techniques. For example, if you throw a hard medium block against a cross arm grab, most people will turn such that their ribs and kidneys are an open target. This is valuable information in that if you had to use the technique on the streets, you can predict what may happen when you throw the medium block from a cross hand grab and can be already prepped and ready to throw that second technique to the open kidneys. And since you already know that punches and knife hands are every effective against the kidneys, that is the technique you are ready to throw.

I encourage all of you to study and practice each aspect of the techniques thoughtfully and diligently so you gain the maximum benefits from the techniques and remain safe in doing so.

Regards,
Kelly

“Practice each of the techniques of karate repeatedly, the use of which is passed by word of mouth. Learn the explanations well and decide when and in what manner to apply them when needed. Enter, counter, release is the rule of releasing hand." ~ Anko Itosu (1830–1915), Okinawan Karate Master, from his letter 10 Precepts of Karate written in 1908

Han Moo Kwan Club 40th Anniversary Reflection - - Chief Instructor's Blog February 2013

Over forty years ago, a chance meeting between Mr. Bob Rainie and Mr. Ui Jung Kim at a gas station in Campbell led to a demonstration and then the birth of the Han Moo Kwan Club in Sunnyvale in February 1973.


Over the last forty years approximately 1000 people signed up and started in the Club. Of those, our records indicate, 582 have tested and reached at least the rank of Green Belt. Of those, 64 have reached at least the level of First Degree Black Belt. Brian Rainie, who started with the Club at its inception, continues to teach and support the Club. Jeff Burgess, who started as a teenager, was Chief Instructor for seven years and overall has been an active Club member for over 30 years. I have been with the Club nineteen years and I have been the Chief Instructor for the last five years.

For a Club that is not for profit, run strictly because people want to instruct and carry out the teachings of Mr. Kim, where people just show up to learn, this is really an amazing accomplishment, or is it?

In some ways, I would say it is. The Club is not-for-profit and we charge minimal fees to participate. All instructors volunteer their time; there is no monetary compensation for instructing. For some people, especially Westerners, if something does not cost a lot of money, they do not value the item or believe it is not an item to be valued. Yet, we have continuously had people that were willing to be instructors at the Club donating their time to share their knowledge and experience with others. And we have had people interested in joining for various reasons (a different activity to add to their repertoire for physical fitness, learn self-defense, always wanted to learn a martial art, etc) and maybe even willing to give it a chance due to the low cost.

In some ways, I am not amazed. We have no agenda at the Club other than to teach, learn and share a martial art. We are not in it to make money or to win tournaments. Our goal is to support people in their journey as a martial artist, becoming proficient mechanically and with enough force on all the techniques so they can defend themselves if the occasion arises, and eventually support students in learning the energy side which opens up a whole new aspect to the martial art. When an organization is committed to supporting and helping without an agenda, that organization will always attract people.

That chance meeting has led to an amazing outcome. Forty years of a community developing martial artists and sharing knowledge and experience of a martial art with no other agenda. Because of that, I believe the Club will continue to exist for a long time.

I hope all those that have passed through the Club’s dojang feel they have benefited from their time in the Club whether they studied with us for six months or twenty years.

For me personally, my life would be so much different had I not started studying and practicing at the Club. I want to personally thank Mr. Kim for sharing Han Moo Kwan, his instructors who taught him, Mr. Kim’s family for supporting him in sharing the art form, Mr. Bob Rainie and Mr. Gary Murray for starting the Club, my instructors Mr. Brian Rainie, Mr. Jeff Burgess, Mr. Don Spears, Mr. Bob Ramirez, and Mr. Mike Marinos for their generosity in sharing their insights with me, and all the students who show up, work out and teach me as well.

"The teaching of one virtuous person can influence many; that which has been learned well by one generation can be passed on to a hundred." ~ Jigoro Kano (1860-1938), founder of Judo

Regards,
Kelly

Art Form Responsibility - - Chief Instructor's Blog January 2013

In our Club there are two aspects of art form responsibility that are critical to growing in the art form and becoming a martial artist.

The first aspect of art form responsibility is taking ownership of learning the art form and the second aspect is the responsibility of the use of the art form.

Ownership of the Art Form

As a White Belt, the Instructor of that class takes primary responsibility to ensure you have the information to test.

Once you leave the Beginner’s Class and enter the Intermediates Class, the responsibility is primarily on the student. What we mean by that is if you miss classes where training was provided appropriate for you (based on your skill set and experience) it is your responsibly to seek that information out from a Certified Instructor, Senior Instructor, or the Chief Instructor. Appropriate also means you are ready to learn new information because you have gained appropriate proficiency in the techniques and forms you have been taught to date.

If you are not sure, or need extra guidance or clarity, it is your responsibly to ask the questions. Just note that, with limited class time, we may ask that you wait until after normal class times to further discuss any questions or to receive personal guidance.

Many of the Instructors, including myself, are available outside class hours. To schedule time with me, please contact me through email.

Use of the Art Form

Learning the art form takes discipline, focus, and perseverance. With learning the art form comes great responsibility in the usage of the art form. The skills you learn in the Club can cause bodily harm and severe damage. This skill should only be used when you feel threatened and you feel you have no other alternative.

In the moment it actually might be easier to use your skill to end a scenario where you are upset or irritated, but this is not the intent of martial arts. It takes more discipline and focus at times to not use it and be patient and in control of yourself as opposed to blasting someone that cut you off, got in your way, yelled at you, etc.

That same patience, focus and discipline you use to learn martial art techniques is the same patience, focus and discipline you need to ensure you use the skills taught to you only when absolutely necessary. .

Regards,
Kelly

"He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty." ~ Lao-Tzu (6th century BC), philosopher of ancient China, and best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching