Moo Duk Kwan Grandmaster Kang, Myung Kyu performing Kyukpa on bricks
MASTER Dr. Gar Won Ko
at a public demonstration
breaking 3 concrete patio
blocks,
with an accelerated Soo Do
(knifehand)
speed-break technique,
suspended by nothing
but
his own
hands. Absolutely no spacers are
ever utilized, each
piece of
concrete weighing about 12 lbs. and
sandwiched against each
other.
Kyukpa (breaking) is the self-measuring technique that measures one's precision of Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido training. Because offensive techniques can be fatal to the human body, Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido practitioners can experience the speed, power, and accuracy of these offensive techniques, and have the concentration of power and strength of will-power by breaking solid objects such as boards and bricks. The force equal to explode the above concrete is 5 times that needed to instantly shatter bones or the skull. To achieve this super-natural human feat is to display true mind over body with spiritual displacement.
At National Competitions, there are two different Kyukpa (breaking) categories: 1.) Go-chook Kyukpa involving the jumping high kick breaking and competing on height as well as technique. 2.) Jangae-mool Kyukpa involving obstacle flying kick breaking and competing on distance as well as involving obstacle flying kick breaking and competing on distance as well as technique.
Master Dr. Ko, his son, Master Michael Coconis, and his step-son, Mr. Frank Maikowski hold numerous National Gold and Silver Medals on Kyukpa Competition in the United States.
The fine art of conditioning the whole body or parts of the body that you are intending to strike with is of upmost importance. Many hours are spent on the conditioning process of the hands and feet to prepare them properly for Kyukpa.
Ultimately, if you intend to work with and break boards, bricks, concrete, rocks, or coconuts, you must condition on material that is much more dense in its molecular and atomic structure, e.g., a piece of railroad track (iron).
Equally important is the conditioning of the mind and the spirit. Many hours are spent in zazen (seated meditation). Concentration on the breath and finely controlling the act of abdominal breathing and is known as Dan-Jon Breathing Techniques. Cultivating your internal energy or ki and storing it up in the dan tien or Dan Jon (energy center or pool) is essential. Further, learning to direct this energy at-will throughout the body for self-healing and more specifically, out through your limbs (hand and feet) and through the object that you are breaking.
It has been said many times by Master Dr. Ko, that 95% of Kyukpa or the act of breaking involves the mind. In fact, in the same breath, he would recite the 5th tenet of Tae Kwon Do "Indomitible Spirit" or in Hapkido "Ki Power". The art of Kyukpa Sool is serious business. Total dedication to proper conditioning and mental-training is requisite to one's ultimate success.
Important Note! It is extremely important to receive professional and master instruction on the proper conditioning methods especially to your hands. Master Dr. Ko teaches privately the famous "100 Days Iron Palm Method" that was taught for many years by Grandmaster Lee, Ying-Arng. Grandmaster Lee's methods were influenced by the Great Grandmaster Ku Yu Cheong of the Kwangsu Province. These methods take 100 days in a row to learn and achieve. The coursework is very strict and requires additional self-sacrifices on the part of the most serious and dedicated student. Do Not Attempt Any Breaking or Conditioning On Your Own For It Will Permanently Deform And Disfigure Your HANDS.
Master Dr. Ko demonstrating Kyukpa Sool
at an annual Open House Ceremony at Ko Mu Do Kwan:
For More Information on Kyukpa Sool, Contact:
Master Dr. Gar Won Ko
Phone: (316) 651-5050
Send your E-mail to: komudokwan@southwind.net
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Sool Photo's
Headmaster,
Ko Mu Do Kwan
2819 E. Central
Wichita, Kansas 67214
U.S.A.