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Hwa Rang Do
(Contributor: Carsten Jorgensen - hwarang@usa.net)
Intro:
Hwa Rang Do is a comprehensive martial arts system whose training
encompasses unarmed combat, weaponry, internal training and healing
techniques. Translated, Hwa Rang Do means "the way of flowering
manhood".
Origin: Korea
History:
For the ancient history of the Hwarang, please refer to the Ancient
Korean History section of http://www.hwarangdo.com/hrd1.htm.
In March 1942 present day founder of Hwa Rang Do, Dr. Joo Bang
Lee and his brother, Joo Sang Lee was introduced to the Buddhist
monk Suahm Dosa by their father, who was a personal friend of
the monk, and they began their formal training aged 5 & 6.
The brothers lived and trained as the sole students with the
monk mostly in weekends and during school vacations but also trained
in other martial arts when they were unable to train under Suahm
Dosa. Influences include Boxing, Yudo, Komdo, and Tang Soo Do.
In additionthe the Lee Brothers attained Master level of Dae Dong
Ryu Yu Sul (modern name - Hapkido) from its founder Choi Yong
Sool in October 1956.
In April 1960 Dr. Joo Bang Lee created and founded his martial
art by combining Suham Dosa's techniques with the other systems
he had trained. He choose the name Hwa Rang Kwan to describe his
system and this also marked the first time the Hwa Rang was used
publicly in connection with unarmed Korean martial arts. There
is no way of knowing if the techniques Suahm Dosa taught the brothers
actually was the martial art of the Silla Hwa Rang, or another
form of monk martial art.
In 1967, at the request of President Park, Dr. Joo Bang Lee organized
the unification of the Korean martial arts and directed the Unified
Korean Martial Arts Exposition on May 27, 1968 at the Jang Chung
Sports Arena in Seoul. Since it was difficult for all martial
art organization leaders to agree on methods of administration,
this organization was also disbanded shortly after the exposition.
Following the dissolution, Dr. Joo Bang Lee concentrated his
efforts solely on the development of his martial art to the exclusion
of all other martial arts. He renamed it Hwa Rang Do translated
to mean "The Way of the Flowering Manhood". (Do - represents "the
way" or the "martial art"). Also this marked the first time the
character for "Way" was used in connection with the Hwa Rang and
the unarmed martial arts.
In 1968, Head Grandmaster Joo Sang Lee introduced Hwa Rang Do
to the United States of America. Dr. Joo Bang Lee became the system's
supreme grandmaster upon Suahm Dosa's death in 1969. He immigrated
to America in 1972 and founded the World Hwa Rang Do Association
and since then Hwa Rang Do has spread all over the world. Today
Dr. Joo Bang Lee presides over the World Hwa Rang Do Association,
Hwa Rang Do World Headquarters in Downey, California (USA).
Description:
Hwa Rang Do is a combination of UM (soft/circular movement) and
YANG (hard/linear movement). The Mu Sul (martial aspects) of Hwa
Rang Do can be further explained in four distinct - though interconnecting
- major paths of study.
NAE GONG - deals with developing, controlling, and directing
one's Ki, or internal energy force, through breathing and meditation
exercises in conjunction with specific physical techniques.
WAE GONG - Wae gong includes more than 4000 offensive and defensive
combative applications. Combining elements predominantly tense
and linear in nature with those soft and circular, these techniques
mesh to form a natural fighting system. This phase includes full
instruction in all hand strikes and blocks (trapping and grabbing
as well as deflection applications, using the hands, wrist, forearm,
elbows, arms and shoulders), 365 individual kicks, throws and
falls from any position and onto any surfaces, human anatomical
structure as it pertains to combat applications (knowing and utilizing
the body's weak points to effectively control the opponent, regardless
of their size), joint manipulation and breaking, finger pressure-point
application, prisoner arrest, control and transport, grappling
applications, forms, offensive choking and flesh-tearing techniques,
defense against multiple opponents, breaking techniques, counter-attacks,
and killing techniques.
MOO GI GONG - involves the offensive and defensive use of the
over 108 traditional weapons found within 20 categories of weaponry.
By learning these various weapon systems, the practitioner can
most effectively utilize any available object as a weapon as the
situation demands.
SHIN GONG - is the study, development, and control of the human
mind in order to attain one's full potential and mental capabilities.
Techniques are taught to achieve an increase in one's total awareness,
focus, and concentration levels. Included are instruction in :
controlling one's mind; development of the "sixth sense"; memory
recall; the study of human character and personalities; practical
psychology; visualization; the art of concealment and stealth
as utilized by special agents (Sulsa); as well as advanced, secretive
applications. Hwa Rang Do teaches both the martial art (mu-sul)
and healing art (in-sul). If one is able to injure or worse, then
he/she should know how to heal as well, once again maintaining
harmony through balance of opposites. First aid applications,
revival techniques are taught in conjunction with the traditional
full studies of acupuncture, Royal Family acupressure, herbal
and natural medicines, and bone setting.
Training:
A typical training session includes Meditation (beginning and
end of class). Total body stretching and warm-up exercises. Basic
punching and kicking practice. Ki power exercises. "Basic-8" combination
drills (which vary by belt rank). Two-man countering techniques
(vary by belt rank). Open session which may include: sparring,
tumbling, grappling, sweeps, or advanced techniques. Self-defense
techniques. Cool down exercises. Hwa Rang Do code of ethics.
For further information, please refer to http://www.hwarangdo.com/
and/or write to:
World Hwa Rang Do Association
8200 E. Firestone Blvd.,
Downey, Ca 90241
(562) 861-0111
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