Pyung Ahn Hyung - Part 5

By Master David Allerton (5th Dan)

The overall theme of this series of articles has been to look beneath the surface and examine hyungs in greater depth. The physical performance is just the beginning not the end result. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that by adding more and more forms your expertise will increase, it will not. In fact it is more likely to reduce your combat effectiveness when you need it most !

In this final article on the Pyung Ahn we shall look at some practical training drills which will enhance your progress.

To recap, firstly it is important to perform the hyung technically correct which is where a knowledgeable and experienced teacher comes in. The traditional back stance, crossed leg stance, side stance, etc all have a purpose in terms of transferring either your own or the attackers energy and centre of gravity. For example, in the fourth sequence of the 5th form the crossed leg stance is in preparation for the body rotation and subsequent throw to the ground while side stance can be used to drop the body weight and apply pressure as shown in my third article. Whenever I see hyungs performed in a “walking stance” I always feel that so much has been lost. The next stage is to practise repeatedly until the movements become ingrained. Do not forget to break the form up into segments and use visualisation techniques to work through the applications. All this is part of getting to know your form, make it come alive and work for you. Then we move onto partner drills. Learn to apply the sequences precisely as shown in the hyung so that form and application are two sides of one whole. I have never understood a system whereby hyungs are performed purely for aesthetic reasons and then a totally unrelated set of self defence techniques are added to it. Why practice the form ? The resulting confusion in a stressful confrontation may have serious consequences at the very time you require clarity of thought and reflex action.

In partner drills make sure your partner attacks with intent to get you into the appropriate Ho Sin Sul mindset. Change partners often and learn to improvise if things do not work out exactly as you had intended. My students are required to demonstrate all 25 Pyung Ahn applications by the time they get to blue belt. Inclusion in the grading syllabus means that Ho Sin Sul is properly learned and performed under stress.

Moving on to free fighting – do not consider this aspect of your training as a separate component. It supplements and enhances your hyungs practise with constant changes in Um/Yang energies (attacking weak points, looking for openings, feinting, and yielding to a strong attack before countering, etc). It is an excellent training drill and a devastating arsenal of techniques can be taken directly from the hyung and used in a free fighting situation covering all distances. Give this some thought.

The art of Kup So, attacking or manipulating pressure/vital points is indispensable for Ho Sin Sul. Do your research, learn which points to attack and in what order then apply these to your hyung.

Do not omit groundwork. Certain Kup So points are extremely effective for this range of fighting. Try an exercise whereby you sit back to back on the mat then turn and grapple with your partner trying to release the hold by applying pressure to the throat, neck, eyes and groin. Learn how to execute chokes and strangles from an escape perspective and get to your feet as quickly as you can. All of these techniques are shown in the Pyung Ahn for the serious minded student. Also pay particular attention to the standing grapple techniques demonstrated in Part 4 of this series. If at all possible finish the encounter before it goes to ground.

Now we turn to some practical examples from the 5th form.

Against a downward attack with a weapon , meet the attack with crossed hands using body evasion to guide the weapon to your side by applying an arm bar. It is important to note that we do not block up to stop the attack as is commonly taught (this is contrary to Um/Yang principles). Instead we draw the attackers energy in the direction it is moving until his balance is compromised – then we counter.

redirect attack to side	into arm bar
hold and knee	down punch

A common feature in hyungs is the sole of the foot striking the open palm in a crescent kick action. It occurs in the third sequence of the 5th form. In this instance it can be taken to mean that the enemy is being pulled or hit simultaneously. For example it is extremely disorientating to have the head struck to one side while the leg is swept in the opposite direction. An elb..ow and knee strike can be used to finish.

strike & sweep	elbow	knee

In conclusion, I would like to take you full circle back to the opening article in this series which explained the meaning of Pyung Ahn. This philosophy is at the core of Tang Soo Do training, both in the dojang and out. The character for “Pyung” incorporates mental strength and stability not just it’s outward physical appearance. Bear in mind that during your grading test the examiner is looking for a sense of balance which includes discipline, temperament and ability to cope under stress. The character “Ahn” on the other hand, represents security and confidence. It is proactive in that we may sometimes have to put ourselves on the line to protect what we believe in.

I hope you have enjoyed these five short articles and maybe some points have given you food for thought. Never stop learning or asking questions of yourself and your teacher. We are all here to learn and improve. The Masters belt in Tang Soo Do is midnight blue, not black. This signifies that perfection is unattainable but nevertheless we must always strive to better ourselves. The red stripe which runs through the centre means that the quality of hardness (yang) should remain hidden until required while on the exterior we should present a calm and gentle nature(um).

Master Allerton

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