A MARTIAL ARTS UNIVERSAL TECHNIQUE

For some of us learning martial arts has been more of a journey than a destination. That journey has had less to do with intellectual pursuit, but more to do with how to subdue an opponent, learning how far one can reach inside yourself to endure physical pain and thereby learn more about oneself. After all, by its very nature martial arts is about defending or attacking someone. It has no lofty or transcendental properties that allow the practitioner to move to some higher plane of existence. It does impart a calm respectful nature that is derived from the confidence you gain during the practice. Despite discussions of internal versus external properties martial arts is simply about bloody conflict. Look at the goal and you will see the point is to subdue your opponent. Not to engage them in a discussion of how keeping your mind and body in balance will allow you to remain healthy. It is true that discussing its history and those who created it are valuable as the study of any historical subject is. After all martial arts is in itself a history book. Granted for the most part an unwritten history yet we have in motion what Plato or Socrates put into words. It is a form of history told not in words but in what we call Katas/Forms. So, in essence we do have a history that has been passed down from one Master to his students and so on. However, the idea of an aged martial artists who can write poetry and ponder the worlds problems as a result of the practice is simple rubbish. Are there people who practice martial arts who are both ruthless in stopping a great army of men yet posses the intellect to write great poetry? Most likely, but one does not proceed the other in any direction. Nor does it turn you into some calm and passive individual who is forced to use what you have learned as a last resort. It can teach you a great deal if you are willing to learn and you have a teacher who is able to impart wisdom and direction. My discussion will for the most part deal directly with technique and the application of it. I will also discuss how a combination of numerous arts formed Youn Wha Ryu with the result being a universal technique. The health benefits and historical aspects of martial arts will be left for those who are much more eloquent. Throughout my many years of martial arts education I’ve always heard that this art or another has the best technique. Point of fact they all do given the application of their art. Each art was formed to defend against a given foe. It was also developed with certain weapons and skills that were enhanced by body type or cultural leanings. With the development of more lethal weapons, long sword, spear, and body armor so went the development of martial arts. With numerous Asian countries involved in the overall development each country emerged with slightly different style. Some arts are more flowing while others hard and fast but, still no real universal application.

The World Youn Wha Ryu Association, of which I am a member and school owner, is the brain child of Grand Master Man Hee Han. From the early age of six, he began his study as a martial artists during the occupation of South Korea by the Imperial Japanese Army. With more than sixty seven years of experience he now holds the title as the President of the World Youn Wha Ryu Association. His martial arts resume is second to none with four Black Belts at the advanced level to his credit. His mastery of arts such as Tae Kwon Do to Hapkido have given him a perspective few have attained. He truly is a Martial Arts Master. While other martial artists have studied different arts Grand Master Han mastered them. His historical knowledge is derived by not just practicing but by studying what works not just knowledge of the art for it own sake.

Most schools who have attempted to combine numerous arts failed. Nothing they did actually allowed the combination to exits together. Another words nothing bound them to create a seamless system. This is where Grand Master Han succeeded. For instance, it is not enough to say you teach Martial Arts then claim we also teach Self Defense. They are one in the same, you learn your self defense within things like Forms/ Katas. Being somewhat old school in his views Grand Master Han believes that forms training will lead you to better understanding of the self defense aspects of martial arts.

With his in depth knowledge of so many arts he was able to combine what he felt was the best of the diverse arts. To bind them forms such as Youn Wha and Youn Wha Close in Fighting form are taught. Another element that bound the different aspects of our training was Youn Wha Self Defense. These are essentially a series of defensive then offensive motions. The intent is to lead you to more complex defenses against an attacker who utilizes both punches, kicks, and weapons attacks. During many a discussion along with countless hours of class I’ve always marveled at the depth of Grand Master Han’s knowledge. His ability to contrast kicks or blocks from one style to the next all the while explaining the origins of each has always intrigued me. His soft spoken nature calmly relating why a certain motion works and why others do not comes from sixty years of practical experience. It is through those many years of actual engagement of his art that he has learned what works and what does not.

This is not a man who gained his experience in tournaments or DoJo combat but in real engagements. To say that it was an epiphany or a flash of brilliance that he developed our style would be dishonest. One rarely attains the answer by sitting under a tree when your head comes into contact with an errant apple. It was from decades of blood, sweat, and probably death that produced what we call today Youn Wha Ryu. The name of our Association transcends form the single motion know as “Youn Wha” which has allowed all of what we have been taught to be brought together.

By incorporating what he knew from his past Masters, Grand Master Han created a mixed style. The corner stone being what we call the “Youn Wha Motion.” Simple, yet complex enough to make adults feel like fools when first introduced it is merely a circular motion with your arms. The circular motion morphs into a series of counter attacks resulting from a simple block and counter. Why does this simple motion work so well, because it allows you to counter with so many different attacks. Open handed or by weapon the motion is the same. The motion can be used to combine with a kick, throw, submission hold, counter attack or as a way to break your opponents rhythm. While training I often asked myself how Grand Master Han could move with so little effort while imparting so much force. On many an occasion I witnessed large men being thrown like cans of trash. I too felt the same power as I was hurled into a heap. When I asked him how, his answer was simple, practice! So I practiced and found for myself that with the hand motion came a rotation of the hips. This rotation combined with the block and counter motion allowed for leverage to move an opponent. This same motion also moves your body between your opponent and his free hand. This prevents the use of this hand during a counter attack. The motion also gives you strength to take on an opponent of larger size and mass. Many times we have witnessed Martial Artists performing complex motions during demonstrations. These demonstrations often combine blocks, strikes and end with a flashy throw or sweep. While eye catching all to often they are ineffective when performed against an unwilling opponent. The fact is if it’s simple and ends quickly it’s generally effective. Grand Master Han has commented that any technique must end swiftly and with the least number of blows. An opponent would not stand as one would during a demo. An adversary would attempt to prevent you form subduing them thus altering your motion. Fast and simple often leads to the best outcome. That is if the motion is effective. Youn Wha is both fast and it allows you to move through your opponent while executing a finishing technique. One important aspect of the Youn Wha Motion is it’s universal application. Open handed or weaponed the technique is the same. Closed or open stance inside our out again it does not matter. If you master the motion you can use it from any angle or body position. The most important aspect is not just the ability to defend against any weapon but the ability to adapt to any attack. That is what makes this motion so universal. The last and no less important aspect of this technique is the lack of an opponents ability to counter attack. Because this is a defend and attack technique it limits the ability to counter since your opponent has little chance the they can counter.

The motion works just as well with weapons. A weapon no matter it’s type is simply an extension of your hand. Now obviously a weapon with a long blade such as a sword would leave you at a somewhat disadvantage. However, with proper training and a weapon of sufficient strength you can turn the tables quickly. For those of you who have studied weapons you may find similarities between the Youn Wha Motion and those in weapons techniques.

The “Conclusion,” Martial arts is and will always be a complex art. Not a sport but an art. The true genius is it’s ability to morph and to add new technique. Like a living entity it evolves. The beauty of “Youn Wha” is it’s evolution. It takes old techniques adds a simple motion morphing into a new form. From this simple motion one can learn an endless number of techniques. From empty hand to weapons the motion works. The truly good thing is, it is simple in nature yet complex enough that you need to practice a great deal to learn the benefits of using your body in conjunction with your hands. The motion may not be new nor are the numerous application but the combination is. Is this a universal technique, for me it is but one can debate while I train so that I can learn even more from this simple motion!