The Yuk Ro Hyung (Six Fold Path Forms) is a series of forms that develop the practitioner as a Martial Artist and open a path into the philosophy of the Chan Shi Ja (Founder) of our art. Each of the forms can be named with the number of its position along the path Yuk Ro Hyung Cho Dan through to Yuk Dan. They are however often referred to by the name associated with the individual philosophy of the Hyung. The philosophy of the individual Hyung needs to be examined in relation to the entire series of forms on the six fold path. Below is a brief description of the meaning behind each of the names.
The Six-Fold Path is related to the Chil Sung Hyung in its intent of development.
Where they differ is that the Chil Sung Hyung are intended to develop the artist as a person. The Yuk Ro Hyung are intended to develop the artist as a warrior.
The Yuk Ro Hyung can be described as:
Choong Ro
Choong Ro “Yuk Ro Hyung Yuk Dan” was created by Chang Shi Ja (Founder) Hwang Kee in 1957 based on information translated and subsequently interpreted from the MYDBTJ. In March 1991 the first Yuk Ro Hyung Clinic was held to start passing on these Hyung to the students of the Moo Duk Kwan. Attending Ko Dan Ja included, W.Y. Chung, H. C. Hwang (Hwang Kee's son), L. Seiberlich, R. Hanke, S.D. Cho, Y.K. Hong, A. Ah Po, and V. Martinov.
These hyung represent levels of skill in the Warrior and methods to develop those skills. Often we only examine physical aspects of the individual warrior but the terms also refer to battlefield tactics and often overlooked are the underlying philosophies behind the names. Use of philosophy/knowledge to capture interest in essence truly capturing without injury is truly the goal of the Moo Duk Kwan. Our Chang Shi Ja hosted numerous “Good Will Games” to connect the membership to other styles, sent his son (HC Hwang our current Kwan Jang Nim) to Greece and then the USA to reforge the links of the Moo Duk Kwan. Hwang Kee Chang Shi Ja’s goal was to promote world peace through the practice of martial arts. World peace through improved human relations!
Choong Ro - Motions
Some analysis of the motions is warranted and has been kept brief in this instance.
The very first motion can be applied to control your opponent (as in Ho Sin Sool – upper sleeve cross grip #4). Moving into strong Neh Gung (breathing) motions, demonstrating superior balance skills. With combinations of attacks and defence with applications of wrist/arm locks all distinct possibilities. With rapid advances and retreats balanced with heavy Neh Gung techniques (capture/control) it is a challenge to perform well. This form could indeed be construed as to capture without injury in a purely physical analysis.
To Capture Without Injury - Philosophy
It is the Authors opinion that the Philosophy behind the final Hyung in this series is to use philosophy and understanding of human nature to capture the interest and indeed the hearts of others in support of the same goal. However as a Martial Art it is essential that the individual has some combat skills as well. The acquisition of skills in combat are well covered in the sections above, however little is documented on how the Hyung relate to philosophy this is an interpretation:
Examples
Conclusion
The Yuk Ro Hyung are based on the information that our Chang Shi Ja translated from the Moo Yei Do Bo Ton Ji and his interpretation of the accompanying text and diagrams. They are laid out in a way to develop the Warrior and those of Western Descent often forget that in Asia the Warrior was also a scholar (or artist).
Thus the philosophy of the Yuk Ro Hyung is to develop people as a warrior and also as a scholar.
This is the true goal of any traditional Martial Art to develop the individual as a contributing and valuable member of society combined with some physical skills in case they are required. We should all be striving to become a Warrior Scholar and the philosophy of the Yuk Ro Hyung can help us to achieve this goal.
The Six-Fold Path is related to the Chil Sung Hyung in its intent of development.
Where they differ is that the Chil Sung Hyung are intended to develop the artist as a person. The Yuk Ro Hyung are intended to develop the artist as a warrior.
The Yuk Ro Hyung can be described as:
- Du Mun - The Great Gate - As a martial artist, you must open your mind to information. Indeed, the gateway to the mind if often the most difficult to open, and why it is known as the Great Gate. Style: Neh Ga Ryu. Characteristics: Du (top or great) Mun (gate) – entering the discipline of Yuk Ro Hyung, relaxed energy.
- Joong Jol - Cut the Middle - As a martial artist, much of the information that passes through the Great Gate will be either useful information that is obscured by fluff, pure nonsense, or perhaps, purely useful knowledge.Style: Choong Ga Ryu. Characteristics: Joong (middle of center) Jol (cutting) – cutting the middle, many open hand moves which aid in the characterization and meaning of Joong Jol.
- Po Wol - Embrace the Moon - When you've cut through the middle and sorted what has passed through the Great Gate, embrace the information you've discovered and make it part of your energy. Style: Neh Ga Ryu. Characteristics: Po (embracing) Wol (moon) – embrace the moon, earth energy, internal & external moves, invite, gathering, capture energy.
- Yang Pyun - High Whip - You will come to a point where your martial art skill will be at its highest, and as a warrior, you will be like a lone man, high atop a hill, wielding a whip, and no one will be able to touch you. Style: Choong Ga Ryu. Characteristics: High Whip, whipping movement.
- Sal Chu - Killing Hammer - Further down the road, you will have so much knowledge and power that you'll be able to kill with one blow, like a heavy hammer against your enemy. Style: Neh Ga Ryu. Characteristics: dominate, high striking, like a “mace” (opposite of Yang Pyun).
- Choong Ro - Seize and Capture - You will realize that with all your knowledge, it is not being untouchable or being able to kill with one blow that makes you a skilled martial artist, but being able to capture your enemy WITHOUT causing injury. Style: Choong Ga Ryu. Characteristics: catching or capturing opponents with high spirit and energy
Choong Ro
Choong Ro “Yuk Ro Hyung Yuk Dan” was created by Chang Shi Ja (Founder) Hwang Kee in 1957 based on information translated and subsequently interpreted from the MYDBTJ. In March 1991 the first Yuk Ro Hyung Clinic was held to start passing on these Hyung to the students of the Moo Duk Kwan. Attending Ko Dan Ja included, W.Y. Chung, H. C. Hwang (Hwang Kee's son), L. Seiberlich, R. Hanke, S.D. Cho, Y.K. Hong, A. Ah Po, and V. Martinov.
These hyung represent levels of skill in the Warrior and methods to develop those skills. Often we only examine physical aspects of the individual warrior but the terms also refer to battlefield tactics and often overlooked are the underlying philosophies behind the names. Use of philosophy/knowledge to capture interest in essence truly capturing without injury is truly the goal of the Moo Duk Kwan. Our Chang Shi Ja hosted numerous “Good Will Games” to connect the membership to other styles, sent his son (HC Hwang our current Kwan Jang Nim) to Greece and then the USA to reforge the links of the Moo Duk Kwan. Hwang Kee Chang Shi Ja’s goal was to promote world peace through the practice of martial arts. World peace through improved human relations!
Choong Ro - Motions
Some analysis of the motions is warranted and has been kept brief in this instance.
The very first motion can be applied to control your opponent (as in Ho Sin Sool – upper sleeve cross grip #4). Moving into strong Neh Gung (breathing) motions, demonstrating superior balance skills. With combinations of attacks and defence with applications of wrist/arm locks all distinct possibilities. With rapid advances and retreats balanced with heavy Neh Gung techniques (capture/control) it is a challenge to perform well. This form could indeed be construed as to capture without injury in a purely physical analysis.
To Capture Without Injury - Philosophy
It is the Authors opinion that the Philosophy behind the final Hyung in this series is to use philosophy and understanding of human nature to capture the interest and indeed the hearts of others in support of the same goal. However as a Martial Art it is essential that the individual has some combat skills as well. The acquisition of skills in combat are well covered in the sections above, however little is documented on how the Hyung relate to philosophy this is an interpretation:
- Du Mun - The Great Gate - To open oneself to the knowledge available and to become a scholar – It is the ability to welcome constant learning that is essential to every true martial artist. We need to remember that the culture of warriors in many Asian countries involved undertaking study in any field from philosophy to nature to literary arts, sculpture or painting. These non-martial activities, in addition to the physical aspects of our art, work together to develop the individual as a valuable member of society.
- Joong Jol - Cut the Middle - To critically evaluate lessons and information – It is not sufficient to accumulate information en mass. We must be able, as a scientist does, evaluate, analyse and assess the information gathered. Once assessed and determined to be robust then and only then should it be included in our action philosophy.
- Po Wol - Embrace the Moon - To study and begin to apply knowledge in all aspects of our lives – now that the information has been discovered and deemed “worthy” it is now time to fully utilise the knowledge and begin to apply it to our endeavours. In some ways this is as simple as polite interactions with all the people we must deal with each day. A simple good morning can change someone’s entire mood. Embrace the knowledge and changes after critically evaluating them.
- Yang Pyun - High Whip - Explore other applications for our lessons – Our learning should not stop at the level of what was shown but should continue throughout our lives. As an Instructor my goal is for my students to be better than I was as a Cho Dan, E Dan etc. For this to happen I must continue on the path of developing not only my physical skills but also as a person. This stage could be considered as the university graduate cementing their knowledge. Becoming better in their chosen field of endeavour.
- Sal Chu - Killing Hammer - To extend the reach of lessons and apply them on a larger scale – this stage of study is equivalent to that of a National expert. The knowledge and understanding of their field is great. Application of the philosophy is superb. They are comfortable in their knowledge and their application of it to their art and their lives. Skills are refined to a level that few truly achieve.
- Choong Ro - Seize and Capture - To realise that guidance can result in understanding between groups and effectively capture them to your philosophy. This is essentially what Chang Shi Ja Hwang Kee was proposing when he envisioned Martial Arts as a vehicle to world peace. The use of knowledge, understanding and empathy can ultimately capture opponents to your side. This level is of a rare individual only and we as Moo Duk Kwan members at the Ko Dan Ja level are privileged to have met or Kwan Jang Nim.
Examples
- Neh Kang Weh Yu (Inside Hard – Outside Soft): To have physical skills to achieve the objective but also the ability to use language & philosophy to reach the same point. The ability to resolve conflict without a physical altercation achieves the outcome desired. If the only tool you have is a hammer then that is what you use. We need to arm ourselves with an array of tools to suit many varied situations.
- KJN HC Hwang and Shin Chul Kang (TKD) seminars 2016: Together recognising the shared past and forging a connection for the future. This is a current and living example of Martial Artists embracing the true teachings of our Chan Shi Ja uniting in peace. This is the early steps of “Capturing” someone to your philosophy, truly the Choong Ro Philosophy in action.
- Chang Shi Ja hosting the first Good Will games with China in 1955: Beginning a long process and developing good relations between various Martial Artists.
Conclusion
The Yuk Ro Hyung are based on the information that our Chang Shi Ja translated from the Moo Yei Do Bo Ton Ji and his interpretation of the accompanying text and diagrams. They are laid out in a way to develop the Warrior and those of Western Descent often forget that in Asia the Warrior was also a scholar (or artist).
Thus the philosophy of the Yuk Ro Hyung is to develop people as a warrior and also as a scholar.
This is the true goal of any traditional Martial Art to develop the individual as a contributing and valuable member of society combined with some physical skills in case they are required. We should all be striving to become a Warrior Scholar and the philosophy of the Yuk Ro Hyung can help us to achieve this goal.