Hu Ri - Soo Bahk Do’s Unique Use of Hip
November 17th, 2007 . by brian.corralesI am often asked what makes Soo Bahk Do unique from other martial arts systems. Though there are many facets of Soo Bahk Do that differentiate it from other systems, possibly the characteristic that has had more impact on the martial arts community is our unique method of hip twisting and thrusting. Here is a small video clip of the successor of the Moo Duk Kwan founder, Hyun Chul Hwang Kwan Jang Nim as he explains the physics behind our unique use of hip:
That hip motion seems similar to how we use hip rotation in relation to the front lunge stance. Colin
If you have roots in Chung Do Kwan, tha would make sense. I know that the two schools interacted quite a bit. During the unification of the Kwans with General Choi, many members of the Moo Duk Kwan left and joined Tae Kwan Do. I think hip rotation is pretty standard in most styles now, with minor differences here and there. The Moo Duk Kwan began using the hip twist sometime around the 1950s. I’m not sure the exact date, but back then most video footage did not show hip twist. It shows how the martial arts continues to evolve.
I’m interested to see a video clip of that lunge punch you discussed. Is it done with the front or rear hand?
I guess if you’re doing it to show hip twist, then it would be done from reverse hand starting in a back stance.
Are those videos you’re referring to featuring lunging type moves without hip twist?
Colin
The videos I’m referring to are the old videos of Funakoshi Gichin and others of that era. I had no real movement in mind. From what I know, their movements were motivated by their center, but their was not as much active hip motion as their is today. That’s what I’ve gathered from my observations that is. Here are three video clips to work with:
Empi by Funakoshi: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KjGZLa50Z_w&feature=related
Modern Day Empi: http://youtube.com/watch?v=aqWt5_HlUGM
Wang Shu (Soo Bahk Do equivalent): http://soobahkdo.blogspot.com/. Go to second video clip.
It seems that Funakoshi’s center movement is much more subtle. Whether or not the modern day versions are exaggerated or not, is still a debate in my mind.
I believe boxers used to punch from the arm and today always move from their center. I don’t think it was always like that. Again, my comments have a bias from my martial up bringing. I welcome your insight.