Chun Gul Jaseh - Forward Stance

Developing power, speed and stability through correct posture

A key theme from Kwan Jang Nim and senior Moo Duk Kwan instructors in recent years has been Moo Do Jaseh. Translated simply, Moo (martial/military) Do (way) Jaseh (stance/posture) represents the way we conduct ourselves as martial artists. Numerous articles have been written discussing the philosophical aspects of this term, and as students we should strive to seek meaning and understanding of this important aspect of our art.
 
Moo Do Jaseh is also displayed in our physical self. From our posture, the way we walk and the way we position ourselves in relation to other people, this presentation portrays a certain image of who we are as an individual and as a martial artist. If we consider our posture right now; weather standing or seated, are we in a position of strength with spine erect, shoulders back, head up and aware of our surroundings, or has the mind/body connection been lost? This connection reflects our self-awareness, and without it we cannot continue to evaluate and challenge ourselves to improve.
 
In Soo Bahk Do, one of the first stances we learn is chun gul jaseh; the forward stance. Initially we learn how to engage our muscles in the correct sequence in order to perform the stance, gaining confidence and gradually improving power, stability and speed. As we progress and learn more advanced techniques, it is easy to ignore the importance of this foundation stance, and our efforts to improve it can drop off. Regardless of age, rank or skill level, reviewing the chun gul jaseh should be a regular habit by simply asking ‘Is my chun gul jaseh a fair demonstration of my Moo Do Jaseh?’ Is it the best it can be, or could it better?
 
The importance of a strong and stable chun gul jaseh cannot be overstated. A weak stance results in a loss of power and efficiency in both hand and foot techniques. A braced front leg is essential for developing power in our kicks; it is our connection with the ground and is how we deliver, and absorb, the impact of making contact with the target. The chun gul jaseh also provides a support base for hand strikes and blocks which would prove ineffective if delivered from a weak platform.
 
As with everything, improvement requires awareness and acceptance that what we do could be done better. Consider the following:

• Concentrate your balance in the centre of your body (the abdomen).
• Push your front knee forward, level with your toes.
• Grip the floor with your toes.
• Tense your inner leg muscles and gluteus maximus (backside).
• Keep your upper body relaxed and upright.

The width of a chun gul jaseh is just as important as the length. Like the foundations of a building, the wider the base, the stronger the structure, however if a stance is too wide it will restrict freedom of movement. Standing tall or sinking too low will also impact how quickly and freely we can move and respond to our environment. By pushing forward through the huri (hips/waist), we are able to deepen our stance and strengthen the foundation of all our techniques without the loss of functionality. 
 
Awareness of every aspect of our chun gul jaseh will result in continual improvements, working towards developing the perfect combination of length and width to suit our individual body structure. With time and effort we will increase power, speed and stability in all our techniques. More importantly however, we will also strengthen the connection of mind and body, and improve our understanding of our Art.

Chun gul jaseh - Figure 4-143
(page 143, Soo Bahk Do Volume 1).

Kwan Jang Nim HC Hwang demonstrating sang dan kong kyuk (high punch) in chun gul jaseh.

Kenyon SBN demonstrating chun gul jaseh
​(Soo Bahk Do Institute).

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Lower body conditioning
The following training drills will help develop lower-body strength and improve your stances:

Dynamic chun gul jaseh

• 10 x chun gul jaseh advancing forward (chun jin).
  
• 10 x chun gul jaseh retreating backwards (hu jin).
• Hold each stance for 3 to 5 seconds, being sure to focus on correct posture throughout.

Static chun gul jaseh 

• Hold chun gul jaseh for an extended time.
• Start with 10 seconds, then increase to 20 seconds, 30 seconds, etc without losing correct posture.

Chun gul jaseh challenge 

• ​Hold chun gul jaseh without moving while a partner attempts to unbalance you.
  
• Your partner should push against different areas of your body to help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of the stance.
  
• Start by pushing against the shoulders, then legs, chest, back, etc, slowly increasing the pressure of each push in an attempt to unbalance your partner.

Strengthening exercises
Basic:

• Lunges
• Squats
• Plyometric jumps

​Advanced:

• Reverse lunges (stepping backwards)
• Jumping lunges
• Single-leg squats​
• Plyometric jumps with 360° spin (try and land in the same place you started)