Grade 6, or 6th Kup, is green belt signifying life and growth. As new leaves start to develop so does the strength and knowledge of the student in the Art. Now is the time for the development of a good foundation through Won-Hyo Hyong pattern.
Pattern: Won-Hyo Hyong – 28 Movements
원효
Won Hyo (617AD – 686AD) was a leading thinker and noted monk who was very influential in the development of East Asian Buddhism in Korea, and of taking it to the masses. He is honoured through the pattern Won-Hyo Hyong. Born Sol-Sa 설사, in Amnyang known these days as the city of Gyeongsan in South Korea, he adopted the pen name of Won Hyo which was derived from his nickname. Growing up in the time of the civil war amongst the 3 Kingdoms of Korea, Koguryo, Paekje and Silla, Won Hyo became a member of the Hwa Rang in Silla. Unhappy with the slaughter around him and the briefness of human existence, by the age of 20 he renounced worldly things and became a monk. After a revelation where he came to the conclusion that when a thought arises, all phenomena arise, but when the thought disappears then the shelter and the tomb are one. Won Hyo developed the Chongto-Gyo (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism spreading this philosophy throughout Silla to the masses. Won Hyo lived to see the unification of the 3 Kingdoms into Korea in 668AD and he authored many books and other writings that are still influential even today. His tomb at the Bumhwang-sa Temple is inscribed with “He strove to master the principles of the universe and made his goal the most profound truth of all.
28 Movements
Ready Stance: Begin Won-Hyo Hyong with both feet together, form a right fist and encompass it with the left hand. Place both fists just below your eyes.
1. Move the left foot to your left, forming right back stance and execute a twin forearm block.
2. Execute a high inwards right knife hand strike, simultaneously bringing the left fist to the right shoulder. Maintain the back stance for balance and control.
3. Move the left foot into fixed stance whilst performing a left lunge punch.
4. Bring the left foot to the right closing your stance; then move the right foot forming left back stance and execute a twin forearm block.
5. Execute a high inwards left knife hand strike, simultaneously bringing the right fist to the left shoulder. Maintain the back stance for balance and control.
6. Move the right foot into fixed stance whilst performing a right lunge punch.
7. Bring the right foot back to the left foot; raise the left foot up into right single leg ready stance and execute twin forearm block towards the front.
8. Execute a mid-section side kick to the front with your left foot.
9. Lower left foot to floor into right back stance and execute a knife-hand guarding block.
10. Move the right foot forward into left back stance and execute a knife-hand guarding block.
11. Move the left foot forward into right back stance and execute a knife-hand guarding block.
12. Move the right foot forward into right forward stance and execute a mid-section spear-hand strike.
13. Pivot on the right leg, rotating -90 degrees into right back stance and execute a twin forearm block.
14. Execute a high inwards right knife hand strike, simultaneously bringing the left fist to the right shoulder. Maintain the back stance for balance and control.
15. Move the left foot into fixed stance whilst performing a left lunge punch.
16. Bring the left foot to the right closing your stance; then move the right foot forming left back stance and execute a twin forearm block.
17. Execute a high inwards left knife hand strike, simultaneously bringing the right fist to the left shoulder. Maintain the back stance for balance and control.
18. Move the right foot into fixed stance whilst performing a right lunge punch.
19. Bring the right foot back to the left foot; then move the left foot into left forward stance towards your starting position and execute a right inner forearm circular block.
20. Execute a low section front kick with the right foot.
21. Lower the right foot into right forward stance and execute a left reverse mid-section punch.
22. Execute a left inner forearm circular block.
23. Execute a low section front kick with the left foot.
24. Lower the left foot into left forward stance and execute a right reverse mid-section punch.
25. Raise the right foot up into left single leg ready stance and execute twin forearm block.
26. Execute a mid-section side kick to the front with your right foot.
27. Lower the right foot and move the left foot -90 degrees into right back stance and execute a mid-section forearm guarding block.
28. Close the stance by bringing the left foot back to the right, moving the right foot out into left back stance and execute a mid-section forearm guarding block (Kyup).
Finish: Bring the right foot back to the left foot with right fist enclosed by left hand and placed in front of face, below eyes.
Notes:
One of the most natural self-preservation reactions of the body is to raise the arms and protect the face. This is represented in won-yo Hyong by the Chunbi position and the initial chamber of the hands in front of the face.
The circular block can be interpreted as a low block deflecting a kick then moving on to block a punch towards the upper body. The concept of catching a kick and throwing the leg away is impractical as a flexible kicker will kick the defender’s face and a stiff attacker will simply put too much weight on the defender’s arm.
Although the last movement is called a forearm guarding block, it can be considered a forearm strike towards an opponent’s neck thus finishing the pattern with an imaginary attacker disabled.