About Gongkwon Yusul
Gongkwon Yusul is an eclectic Korean martial art that teaches skills and techniques for every range of unarmed combat, from kicking and striking range all the way to fighting on the ground. Founded in South Korea in 1996 by Master Kang Jun, it emphasizes smooth transitions between ranges and skills while maintaining control of the opponent in order to achieve quick, decisive victory rather than engaging in a prolonged physical exchange.
Essential concepts such as posture, positioning, movement, angles, off-balancing, and level changes are taught as core principles. Students will learn powerful throws and effective takedowns along with a variety of submissions including neck cranks and chokes, as well as joint locks of the wrists, elbows, shoulders and legs. The uniform, dobok (도복) in Korean, is incorporated into a number of different techniques to amplify certain throws and submissions.
Essential to Gongkwon Yusul is the safety of all students and their training partners. Students must learn to set aside their egos and approach classes with respect for everyone they train with. Cooperation allows students to mutually benefit from practice—taking turns, with one student acting as the blade while the other is the sharpening stone that hones their partner’s technique. Building a culture of collaboration allows everyone to become better by working together, instead of competing against each other.
Links
Michigan Gongkwon Yusul Facebook page
English website for International Gongkwon Yusul Association in Korea
Walker’s Taekwondo, where Gongkwon Yusul is taught in Michigan