In this weeks classes we focused on Bunhae Ki Sul from Pyong Ahn Cho Dan including:

• Seizing the initiative when confronted with a threatening situation. This is the opening sequence of techniques in the form!
• Using the Sang Dan Mahkee (High Block) as an offensive technique when in the clinch with an opponent
• 3 to 4 different grappling escapes contaned in Pyong Cho Dan
• A more realistic understanding on how to utilize the 4 low knife defenses contained at the end of the hyung. Think these are defenses against a low front kick? Unrealistic! How do you know? We’ll at the end of the form you’ve done 4 blocks against kicks and haven’t thrown or applied one counter strike! Make any sense? Certainly not, but there is a more practical and better understanding!

When we consider true Bunhae Ki Sul, we also have to consider the practicality of one step sparring. One step sparring was a major part of my traditional Tang Soo Do practice and I always questioned the validity and practice of it. One of the major themes we discuss during our training sessions is that for martial technique to be effective you must always end up in a more advantages position that your opponent. Clearly a majority of one step sparring practice violates this common sense rule. In fact many one step sparring drills have you end up at a disadvantage or at best on equal footing with an attacker. I often heard the argument long ago that one steps teach you “distancing and timing.” For what? Certainly not true self-protection! Really, the only thing practicing one step sparring drills can make you good at doing is one step sparring drills! Simply, because there is limited translation from one step sparring to true combative technique! I’d rather have a more realistic approach to training, self-defense and protection. How about you?

There are simple rules for traditional martial arts training. Such as the “pulling hand.” If you don’t understand why you pull your hand to your side when you make technique than you really need to either, question your seriousness of study or find another martial arts school! The argument that you pull your hand to your side to generate additional power is nonsense. Traditional martial artists pull the hand to the side on virtually every technique! If it were to generate more power wouldn’t you think boxers and mix martial artists would do it when they fight in the ring? Look for the true answer!

In our Advanced Class this Thursday we practiced the technical execution of our advanced hyung and I worked closely with some of our senior Yu Dan Ja on the following hyung:

• Kong Sang Kong Dae with our Sam Dans
• Sip Soo
• All of the Naihanchi Hyung (Kata)
• Chinto Hyung

We also had a special practice on Bassai So. The version we practiced is more closely aligned with the original that was thought to be created by Anko Itosu. The Yu Dan Ja in attendance had an opportunity to work on their Bunhai Ki Sul drills from the advanced traditional hyung. Finally, Sa Bom Nim Garbowsky, Mr. Brian Maxwell and Mr. Steve Harroun stuck around after class for an impromptu practice of Chil Sung Sa Ro hyung.

This week also saw Mr. Steve Harroun (Cho Dan, level #2) leading classes as he prepares for his Kyo Sa Testing. Mr. Harroun will make an excellent instructor and hopefully will have his own Tang Soo Do studio at some point in the future.

The morning training sessions were great and really focused on “women’s self-protection” since we have a number of women who attend in the morning. We covered the self-protection concept as to why you fight to flee and not fight to win, especially when confronted with a larger, stronger opponent who is out to do you harm!

I am looking forward to the weekend classes and what our training will bring to us! How about you?

Master Gene Garbowsky, Sa Bom Nim