As a student grows towards higher achievements their growth towards the sky is represented by the addition of a blue stripe upon their belt. This pattern, Yul Gok introduces the concept of using movement to build focus and strength and to consider the location of an attacker.
Pattern: Yul-Gok Hyong – 38 Movements
율곡
Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of the great Korean philosopher and scholar Yi I, born in 1536 and often called the “Confucius of Korea”. He was born in Gangneung, Gangwon Province which is located on the 38˚ latitude, from which is obtained the 38 movements in the pattern. Yi was a a child prodigy, learning to write in Chinese script (Hanja) at an early age and passing the Civil Service Literary Examination at just age 13. After studying Buddhism and Confucianism he went to study with Yi-Hwang, another noted confucian scholar of the times. At age 29 he wrote a thesis (Book of the way of heaven) regarded as a literary masterpiece and passed the Higher Civil Service Examination leading to many high positions within the Korean government. He wrote much about Confucian philosophy, self cultivation and righteous government. Yul-Gok believed strongly in loyalty, sincerity and improving the life of the individual and wrote much on these subjects and how government should be administered. In all he wrote 193 works in 6 languages across 276 publications.
38 Movements
1. Slowly move the left foot into horse-riding stance whilst performing a slow left md-section punch. Breath out slowly and tense all muscles. Pattern Yul Gok is introducing the concept of tense slow movement for muscle improvement.
2. Execute a fast right mid-section punch.
3. Execute a fast left mid-section punch.
4. Move the left foot to the right, closing the stance and then move the right foot out into horse-riding stance whilst performing a slow right md-section punch. Breath out slowly and tense all muscles.
5 Execute a fast left mid-section punch.
6. Execute a fast right mid-section punch.
7. Move the right foot into right forward stance 45˚ to the front-right and execute a right inner forearm block.
8. Execute a low section left front kick.
9. Lower the left foot into left forward stance and execute a left mid-section punch.
10. Execute a right mid-section reverse punch.
11. Move the left foot through 90˚ into left forward stance and execute a left inner forearm block.
12. Execute a low section right front kick.
13. Lower the right foot into right forward stance and execute a right mid-section punch.
14. Execute a left mid-section reverse punch.
15. Move the right foot 45˚ to the right into right forward stance as you execute a right hooking block.
16. Execute a left hooking block.
17. Use the left hooking block to grab and pull the opponent and at the same time execute a right mid-section punch.
18. Move the left foot forward into left forward stance as you execute a left hooking block.
19. Execute a right hooking block.
20. Use the right hooking block to grab and pull the opponent and at the same time execute a left mid-section punch.
21. Move forward with the right foot into right forward stance and execute a right mid-section punch.
22. Raise the left foot up into right single leg ready stance and execute twin forearm block towards the front.
23. Execute a mid-section side kick to the front with your left foot.
24. Lower left foot to floor into left forward stance and execute a right reverse elbow strike into the left palm.
25. Move the left foot across and lift the right leg into single leg ready stance, executing twin forearm guarding block towards your starting position.
26. Execute a mid-section side kick to the front with your right foot.
27. Lower right foot to floor into right forward stance and execute a left reverse elbow strike into the right palm.
28. Move the left foot to the left moving into right back stance simultaneously executing a twin knife-hand block.
29. Move forward into right forward stance and simultaneously execute a left downward palm block with a right mid-section spearhead thrust.
30. Move the right foot, rotating 180˚ into left back stance, executing a twin knife-hand block.
31. Move forward into left forward stance and simultaneously execute a right downward palm block with a left mid-section spearhead thrust.
32. Move the left foot 90˚ into left forward stance performing a left outer forearm block.
33. Execute a right mid-section reverse punch.
34. Move the right foot forward into right forward stance and execute a right outer forearm block.
35. Execute a left mid-section reverse punch.
36. Jump forward with the left foot, forming a left X-stance while executing a left high section back fist strike.
37. Move the right foot -90˚ into right forward stance and execute a twin forearm block.
38. Close the stance by bring the right foot to the left turning 180˚, then move the left foot into left forward stance and execute a twin forearm block (Kyup).
Finish: Move the left foot back to ready stance.
Notes: Here again the last movement can be considered a simultaneous high section block and a forearm strike to the neck of the imaginary opponent, thus finishing the confrontation and the pattern Yul Gok.