|
A form
or kuen is a series of movements which incorporate the fundamental
skills of stance, footwork, kicking, punching and blocking.
A form is a representation of fighting which teaches correct
body movements for the generation of power through balance,
controlled breathing and movement of weight.
The style
of movement in form should be smooth and flowing. There should
be no hesitation between the movements unless specifically
intended for greater emphasis of a particular technique. The
hands should be very expressive in form, almost as though
they talk. The movements can be compared to moving in water.
When you move slowly in water, movement is easy and natural.
If you fight the water the movements are awkward and clumsy.
Movement
in form should always be natural and relaxed. When learning
new movement skills they may seem difficult This feeling is
created by a lack of mind body unity. With time and practice
even the most difficult movements will be readily performed
with both style and grace.
Forms are excellent vehicles for self expression in San Soo.
Once the technical aspects of a form have been learned, a
student should seek to make that form his own,
and use it to express his personal element or
style.
In general
the forms of San Soo will consist of a six movement opening
salutation, nineteen movements of the form proper and a closing
salute. There are literally hundreds of these twenty-six move
forms in San Soo. Grandmaster Woo broke them down from longer
forms which I was told, were based on the Chinese lunar calendar.
It took one year to learn a form at one movement a day. Jimmy
realized Americans (for the most part) lacked the patience
and dedication necessary to learn in this fashion. He divided
the forms into twelve per year. This also made it easier to
incorporate new students into his classes.
Forms
may be practiced with or without weapons. All the forms of
San Soo can be adapted to weapons, although some will lend
themselves more readily to this than others. For example one
form may be perfect for the staff, yet awkward with the sword.
It must be remembered that each form has its own character.
The more you understand form, and the more you know about
weapons, the easier it becomes to choose the appropriate weapon
for that particular form.
|
