Ancient people had a deep interest in the development of forms as well as a profound understanding of them. Practicing forms perfects the ability to perform hand n foot techniques freely. This is the fundamental to making the best use of one’s body at all times.
Basic to all martial arts is this: After the basic movements are learned they are applied to and transformed into forms. As established, traditional n clearly defined sets of steps, jumps, punches and thrusts, each of the forms in our art has a unity and purpose.
Basic forms consist of one block, one thrust or strike and turns patterned to develop control, rhythm, power and speed in the early integration of basic techniques. As they progress, the forms become increasing complex in the variety, combination and sequence of blocks, kicks, thrusts, jumps and turns. One advanced form may take years of daily practice and intense concentration to master.
As an exercise, it is that part of the progression in the art which conditions the mind, body and reflexes for the stresses of free sparring and ultimately for the realities of defensive conflict. The sequence of moves may stimulate responses to many kinds of attack and strategies for defense against a number of attackers and the control of one’s space in dealing with the direction of attacks.
The practitioner cannot only remember the order of the form. It is more important for him to concentrate on balance, rhythm, breathing control, variation in speed and power control. It is vital to pay attention to these things so that the form is presented as an approach to a living ideal. It would be disrespectful to consider that one knows a form simply by virtue of having memorized a series of individual movements.
If the practitioner makes us aware that the form consists of parts of individual movements, then we witness skill, perhaps, but not art. Form is the mother body or essence of all aspects of technique in the martial arts. The practitioner must, therefore, practice his form with sincerity and a deep commitment to the ideal. Also he must practice only those forms for which he is mentally and physically prepared. It is unreasonable and presumptuous for a white belt to practice a black belt form. He would gain no understanding of the value, purpose, meaning or unity of the form. Furthermore, one of the major aspects of mental development and discipline in our art is the self-mastery that comes with the habit of accurately perceiving and estimating our individual level of competence and achievement.
The practitioner who over reaches himself does a disservice to himself and the art. In summary, to study forms one must be concerned with the application and meaning behind each movement and technique, both offensive and defensive. Instead of practicing each movement within the form by itself, one should find the meaning behind each movement, the inter-relationship among movements and the reasonableness of each sequence within a meaningful whole.
Suggestion for Development of Skill and for Practice in the Art of the Hyungs
- Remember that form training is both a mental and physical training
- Concentration is essential
- Every attempt to do a form requires maximum effort
- Perfection requires continuous practice.
- Always remember u are perpetuating the art and that u represent the way of SBDo
- In learning a new form:
2nd…master the individual movements
3rd…learn to integrate those movements into the proper sequence
4th…concentrate on breathing control, tension and relaxation, power
distribution and intentions, and
Finally, undertake the mental significance and SBDo meaning of the form
- Never attempt a form beyond your ability or without the advice and consent of
- Patience is as important as physical ability in developing perfect form
- Develop your own psychological technique for overcoming idleness, distractions and mental blocks
- After practice, learn to relax and to appreciate the gains you have made, no matter how little it may be.
Origins of Hyungs
It will prove useful to understand the origin and general characteristics of our forms. The following forms belong to the We Ka Ryu Style and were influenced by the Southern Chinese schools, and are characterized by speed, aggressiveness, dynamic action and spontaneity.
Hyung Rank (Gup) Belt
Kee Cho Hyung Il Boo ) 9th white
Kee Cho Hyung Ee Boo )
Kee Cho Hyung Sam Boo) 8th Yellow
Pyung Ahn Cho Dan )
Pyung Ahn Ee Dan ) 6th & 7th Orange
Pyung Ahn Sam Dan ) 4th & 5th Green
Pyung Ahn Sa Dan ) 2nd & 3rd Blue
Pyung Ahn Oh Dan ) 1st Brown
Basaihee )
Naihanji Cho Dan )
Naihanji Ee Dan ) 1st Dan Black Belt
Naihanji Sam Dan )
Jin Do ) 2nd Dan Black Belt
Kong Sang Koon Dae ) 3rd Dan Black Belt
Other Senior Hyungs
Oh Sip Sa Bo Wang Shu So Rim Jang Kwon Dam Toi
Rohaee Woon Shu Sip Soo Sam Kok Kwan
Sei Shan Tjin Toa Gea
