The Arts We Teach
The National Korean Martial Arts Association calls upon some of the best high-ranking & experienced martial arts teachers, in the various arts, to make up our panel of judges to determine the legitimacy of newcomers who come to us, in addition to accepting (after sufficient research) any presented documents or certificates of rank. For those members who progress in rank within the confines of the NKMAA, this same panel is known as the Board of Examiners.
Our Board of Examiners, consists of the following:
• F. Moore
• J. Orndorff
• T. Gordon
• D. Miner
❖ Kuk Sool Hapkido ∼ 국술 합기도 ∼ 國術 合氣道
• R. Timmerman
• D. Kunz
• S. Jensen
• C. Demanaeus
❖ Kong Shin Bup ∼ 공신법 ∼ 空身法
• R. Timmerman
• S. Jensen
• C. Demanaeus
• D. Miner
Background info on the various arts:
Tae Kwon Do
Originally stemming mostly from Tang Soo Do, which was largely based on Japanese Shitō-ryū Karate (due to strong influences by the occupation of Korea by Imperial Japan, 1910 to 1945), a unification effort for the evolved Korean aspects of this martial arts system, urged by then South Korean President, Syngman Rhee, eventually led to General Choi Hong-Hi, in 1955, bringing the 9 original Kwans (i.e. officially recognized schools of martial arts) to agree on the name for this restructured format of personal combat, from a purely ideological perspective. That name was Tae Kwon Do (TKD). Fast forward several decades and witnessing several splits between various parties vying for power over TKD, with sport recognition by the Olympic Committee coming in 1988, which was granted to the branch now known as World Taekwondo, aka: Kukkiwon TKD (the Kukkiwon, or “World TKD Headquarters” is located in the Gangnam District, in the capital city of Seoul, South Korea). World Taekwondo is by far the most progressive but it is also one of the largest branches of TKD, embraced by sporting authorities and martial artists, alike. All the major elements of modern martial arts are present, such as forms (i.e. patterned movements), sparring (with protective gear & strict rules for saftey’s sake), as well as a myriad of blocks, strikes, and kicks.
Kuk Sool Hapkido
Born from the impetus of the Kuk Sool Hwe (short form of: Han-kuk Mu-sool Hyup-hwe), or Korean Martial Arts Association once translated, the system of martial arts known simply as Kuk Sool emerged as a forerunner when during the post-war era, the 28 martial art groups based on Hap Ki Do (similar to the 9 Kwans of TSD), were seeking a representative for all of them when dealing with the ROK government, which enforced certain restrictions & guidelines when it came to businesses based on martial arts instruction. Even to Koreans the term Kuk-Sool simply means “[Korean] martial arts,” and due to the unification efforts surrounding
Tae Kwon Do many people assumed that the “national [martial] art” being referenced was TKD and not one based on HKD. This confusion about the meaning of Kuk Sool led to the habit of appending a clarifying “Hapkido” at the end, and since HKD makes up roughly 80% to 85% of the art (the rest being gleaned from various other martial traditions), it seemed like a logical compromise. Make no mistake, Kuk Sool and/or Kuk-Sool HKD is a conglomerate system which does an excellent job of drawing the best elements from a vast array of skills & tactics, which results in one of the most robust and efficient styles of martial arts in existence, especially in the realm of self-defense.
Kong Shin Bup
As noted in the biography of GM Timmerman, there is little functional difference between KSB & KS-HKD; the different names being used to avoid any copyright issues, once it was decided by GM Pak In-Sook to pursue his own interests. That being said, GM Pak decided to add a modicum of differences, mostly the inclusion of more hard style martial-art forms from the arena of TSD/TKD, as well as other sources. Note that KS-HKD, which emphasizes the “no force on force” aspect of physical confrontation, tends to operate with more free-flowing type movements. The option to perform more classic forms (i.e. patterned movements) when competing in open tournaments, especially back in the day where Karate ruled supreme, made a lot more sense if wanting to get noticed in the vast plethora of martial art styles vying for attention. A few other additions also crept into the curriculum but essentially, it can be said that Kong Shin Bup & KS-HKD are cut from the same cloth.
Kuk Sool Hap·Ki·Do
Kuk Sool Hap·Ki·Do
This is the flagship of the arts taught by NKMAA and it contains 270 principles that can be expanded into more than 3600 techniques. It is a true Hard/Soft style (Yu Kwan Sool), and it offers all the forms (Hyung) of Kuk Sool, PLUS a full compliment of hard style forms. This combination allows students to excel in whatever suits their bodies best, without being confined to one or the other.
We have found that the hard style forms are great for younger students wishing to compete in open tournaments, and our soft style forms can be very beneficial to older students because they are designed to maintain flexibility, bone density, and to give you a myriad of other beneficial health training aspects that promote longevity.
Because Kuk Sool Hap·Ki·Do is such a comprehensive study of Korean martial arts, it DOES take the average person at least four years to learn the full curriculum for first degree black belt. Many take longer, and no one should ever be in a hurry to attain Black Belt status. Kuk Sool Hap·Ki·Do is NOT just an art, it is an entire SYSTEM. While most martial arts stop teaching new material at 5th dahn, the KS-HKD system teaches new material all the way up to 8th dahn. A lifetime of study awaits you, and that can only come from an Instructor who has spent a lifetime in the arts we teach.
To start YOUR journey in Kuk Sool Hap·Ki·Do, purchase our awesome DVD set.
StickMasters
Ugly Stick
The Ugly Stick was invented by GM Rudy Timmerman, who personally makes them from the finest exotic hardwoods available. After selecting the wood, it is soaked for three months in a special blend of oils GM Timmerman learned about when he was an apprentice woodworker in his father’s workshop in Holland… the same oils his father used to repair antique furniture heirlooms one might find in Museums. The recipe has been in our family for generations… in fact the name Timmerman in Dutch means “carpenter,” or in our family’s case, Cabinet Maker.
After the wood has been thoroughly soaked, I begin by cutting the uniquely tapered ends to the sticks that give it the ability to rip and tear flesh. The angles were carefully designed to be the best for creating maximum damage capabilities, and even the thickness of the wood is no accident. With the help of one of my students in the Law Enforcement community, we tested several different diameters and lengths to see what would give us the fastest strike, when used in conjunction with a lanyard on one end. When that was properly calculated, I began to test various groove depths and widths to see which would most easily cut into the skin of a human body.
In the end, I was not happy with the linear grooves on the original design, and I switched to a special tool to cut spiral grooves. Much like the slicing action of a guillotine, the spiral grooves were found to be most effective. Naturally, none of the testing could be done on humans, so I used some Canadian Hard Maple on which to do the testing. When struck by my Ugly Sticks, this very hard Canadian Maple suffered major damage. Large chunks and splinters came off the Maple every time it was struck by my Ugly Stick, and I figured if my sticks could take chunks out of hard Maple, it would no doubt do worse on flesh and bone.
The Ugly Stick comes in various sizes, with the "Pocket Stick" at six inches, and we make the “Dan Bong” fourteen inches long for optimum versatility. Regardless of the size of the Dan Bong chosen, there is no difference in performance. The Pocket Stick can be used as a key holder, and the holes for either a keyring or rope are drilled to accommodate that enhancement. Instead of grooves, the Pocket Stick has four brass upholstery nails in the centre, and they are used to “roll” over selected pressure points. Strikes are done much like one would use a knife and the stick actually cuts just like a bladed weapon.
The Dan Bong also has holes drilled in the end, and these are used to add a length of Parachute cord or Sash cord. When rope is added as a lanyard, the weapon takes on a whole different format, and it is now regarded as a "flex" weapon. In Canada, flex weapons are illegal, so we do NOT ship our Sticks with rope or cord, but we do predrill the hole to make adding it a cinch.
Because of their design, our Ugly Sticks can be used as one would normally use a stick or Dan Bong; however, the design lends itself to a whole new series of techniques I designed specially for the Ugly Stick. From slashing, to cutting, to the use of pressure points, the Ugly Sticks can be used as a perfect personal protection weapon that you can easily carry without looking like a thug out to hurt people. Yet, in an instant, you can whip it out to protect yourself or family.
For those who like to use the Sticks in a traditional school setting, we also have a DVD with forms (Hyung) for the Rope Staff and the Dan Bong. It makes an excellent addition for school owners whose students want to compete at tournaments, and it is also great for demo ideas. The DVD also has a complete set of Ssahng Juhl Bong (Nunchuk or double rope staff) on it; and, as a bonus, it also includes footage for the Riot Stick and the Cane. This DVD is sold separately, as not everyone is interested in more than the personal protection aspects of our Ugly Stick.
Ugly Sticks are created from some of the hardest exotic wood species known to man (so dense it doesn't float); and in fact the material is so hard, it ruins carbide tipped blades and bits so fast I can only create about ten sticks before I have to replace the bits. That, and the oils and time it takes to create the Ugly Stick, drives up the cost of these beauties.
Ugly Sticks are sold in the following combinations: please visit our Goods & Services page to order.
Pocket Stick - $25.00
Dan Bong - $50.00
2 DVD set - $75.00 (Together they contain everything you need to learn how to effectively protect yourself)
Package Deal - $125.00 (Save $25.00 - Includes Pocket Stick, Dan Bong, and the set of 2 DVDs)
Hyung DVD - $40.00 (forms for Dan Bong, Cane, & Rope Staff)
