Brian Corrales

Interesting, I just found a youtube clip for Yuk Ro Sa Dan Hyung, also known as Yang Pyun. This is the 4th form of 6 created by Soo Bahk Do founder, Hwang Kee. Korean subak (hand strike) is an ancient martial art that has been lost in time. One of the few remaining documents of this ancient style is found in the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji, a 300 year old text on Korean martial arts, armed, unarmed, and horseback. Within the Kwan Bup (Fist Method) section, you read about Yuk Ro techniques, of which there are 6. Hwang Kee took these six movements and created a form that was based on the technique’s characteristics. Unfortunately, the text is written with Chinese characters, making it extremely difficult for scholars to translate. Even once translated, the documentation is very crude and does not give a clear explanation of techniques. Figures depict many, but not all of the movements, and unfortunately a still image does not do a physical technique justice. Though the true style of subak may be lost in time, it is through Founder Hwang Kee’s style that we can take a glimpse of what that style might have entailed.

We do know that the book has Chinese and even Japanese influence and that it comprises the Sorim (Shaolin-hard style) and Tae Kuk Kwon’s Nae Ga (Soft style). You’ll see variations of Shaolin long punch alongside Tai Chi movements in this form.