May 19th, 2014
Power Control (Him Cho Chung)
When I speak of power control I am talking about having a command of the release, restraint, and relaxation of energy. In this case, I am talking about control over explosive energy that starts in the Dan Jun area and is channeled to the target area using visualization (Moo Sang) and conscious intent. It is the ability to transfer focused power from its source to the intended target area or the restraint to stop just short.
Tension and Relaxation ( Shin Chook)
Understanding hyung and being able to perform at a very high level requires mastery of breathing (Ho Hup) and timing in the accumulation and release of energy or power. Similar to an ocean wave as we inhale using the contraction principal we reach the apex of our ability. When we release we expand or transfer our power and energy to the intended target area. This process of tension and relaxation or contraction/expansion is used in all areas of our martial arts training.
Speed and Rhythm Control (Wan Gup)
For a form or hyung to come to life, it must have proper timing. The coordination and patterning of moves at rates appropriate to the sub-sequences in a form is what we call tempo. The ability to execute the proper tempo of a form is conditioned over time as the student moves from initial muscle memory stage, to acquired muscle memory stage, to refined muscle memory stage. These stages of development are necessary for the forms practitioner to eventually be able to perform the hyung in a state of mushin or mind-no-mind. This concept is sometimes referred to in the western world as being in the zone or demonstrating at mastery performance level.