BUNHAE JOURNEY episode 4

"A block is a lock, is a blow, is a throw".

I can't take credit for whoever came up with this saying, but I think it needs a bit of attention. When trying to discover the practical meaning out of the movements in Traditional martial arts "Blocks" I try to ignore the word "Block" altogether as it tends to isolate the movement into a specific paradigm and further limits it's potential. I remember the phrase listed above, and I try to find an alternate purpose for each supposed block.

For Japanese stylists who use the word "Uke" for block, should know it comes from the verb Ukeru which actually means to receive. As a Korean stylist, we use the word "Mahk Ki" for block which comes from the verb Mak-Da 막다 which literally means, to Block, Obstruct, Stop or Intercept.

Personally, I like the concept of "receiving" or even the Korean translation to "intercept", because I feel that it helps to better understand the technique, and it leaves the door open for potential valuable applications.

For the last number of years, I've been on a search to find the practical application of Traditional Martial Arts forms... My upbringing in Tang Soo Do, and the dissection of the core material (Bunkai/Bunhae) has been a springboard to understanding my current system of Pilsung Moo Do.

BUNHAE is Korean meaning to dissect, break apart and analyze. The more common term is Bunkai in Japanese.
The study of Bunhae is paramount to fully understanding and learning to apply the movements found in traditional martial arts.

This series will be a journey of discovery as we try to unlock practical application for the movements found in the Traditional Martial Arts for the purpose of self-protection.

Michael Celona is a currently a 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor. Founder of Revolution Martial Arts Institute (RI) in Swarthmore, PA.

The style practiced at RI is known as Pilsung Moo Do is a modern martial art which draws its influence mainly from it's root styles of Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo, but also incorporates joint locking, throwing, and grappling from Hapkido and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Pilsung Moo Do is roughly translated in Korean as "The Martial Art/Way of Certain Victory"

Master Celona also currently holds the rank of Blue Belt in BJJ

For more information & seminar booking:
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