Moo Sool Fundamentals
Certain fundamental principles are crucial and universal in executing effective self-defense techniques. I will highlight 3 such principles and possible training methods below.

1. Jwa Sae:
   
   a. Principle: Before executing any self-defense technique, you must start with a strong and balanced stance. Focus on a low center of gravity, concentrating on your danjun (a point three centimeters below the navel). Concentrate on your balance and danjun at the beginning of any motion and maintain the same focus throughout the motion. Your stance should not be too high or too low. Rather, you should find the correct balance point that is most effective in executing your techniques.
   
   b. Training Method: Begin with a basic horse stance and long front stance in both directions. Be able to hold the stance for several minutes to build leg strength, flexibility and balance. Once the static stances are sufficiently practiced, combine movement forward, backwards and to the side. Add punching and basic motion. Add Hyeh Jun (spinning or rotation) and Jun Han (conversion techniques) (These concepts will be covered in later updates). You should work to make your Jae Sae as natural as possible.
   
   Although extremely low stances may not be appropriate for all self-defense scenarios, they can be an effective training method. When practicing Jae Sae, exaggerated low stances can help build leg strength and help train for certain kinds of attacks and defenses. This type of training is beneficial when practiced as part of your overall training strategy.



2. Sohn Sa Li Ki (“Livening of Hands”):
   
   a. Principle: When training for Ho Shin Sool techniques, the concept of Sohn Sa Li Ki can not be underestimated. You must focus all your energy and Ki into your hands when executing any Ho Shin Sool technique. Your energy and Ki must be transferred instantaneously to your hands and to the point of contact on your body you have with your opponent. Sohn Sa Li Ki will help you control and channel your energy, effectively control you opponent and help you most easily complete your techniques.
   
   b. Training Method: To harness and control your energy and Ki, you should practice Ki training on a daily basis. Dan Jun Ki training is a fundamental concept that will help all aspects of your training. Begin in a horse stance and focus again on your danjun and execute a kiap as your open your hands. Focus your energy in your hands and spread your fingers as wide as possible. Hold your breath for 3 seconds. Exhale and relax your hands and body. This same concept can be applied to various stances and combined with movement. Once the basic Dan Jun Ki training has been mastered, the Sohn Sa Li Ki concept should be applied to all areas of your training. When reacting to an opponent grabbing you, executing a Pyun Soo (open palm strike) or applying pressure to an opponent to subdue him/her are all instances when Sohn Sa Li Ki is crucial. This concept should be integrated to all aspects of your training until it becomes second nature and instinctive.



3. Push/Pull:
   
   a. Principle: This concept is part of the "You Won Hwa" methodology that is central to effective Ho Shin Sool techniques. As an example, when meeting your opponents attack, at times it is better to move with your opponents energy and redirect. This concept can also be thought of as controlling your opponent's energy and focus to your advantage. Before executing a wristlock that requires forward movement, you would create a counter motion backward and unbalance your opponent. In that instance, you would feel your opponents energy reacting to your initial motion and you would then move with your opponent's energy and execute the wrist lock to completion. This principle can be applied both reactively (e.g. reacting to a punch) and proactively (e.g. unbalancing an opponent before executing a joint lock).
   
   b. Training Method: This principle can be applied when completing any type of basic motion. Instead of moving directing into a motion, create a counter motion before executing. Once the counter motion is create, use Jun Han and Hyeh Jun concepts to convert your opponents energy and your energy into an effective self defense technique.