Martial Arts

by po5i

 To better understand martial arts training, one must know its specific types and the unique training styles it characterizes. There are a lot of different styles and each one has unique training in performing their techniques, depending on what they focus on. Some types require special equipment while others do not. We will explore some of these different types of training and their enthralling styles.

Although dozens of different styles exist and are continuously changing with more new techniques, there are small groups that are relatively established. There are known techniques that are weaponless. They focus more on the dexterity of their movements.

Not all styles enclose themselves with specific movements alone. Most of them incorporate the use of weapons in their training. Some of the weapons that are more commonly used include sticks, stones, staffs, lances, swords, nunchucks, knives, sai, bows and arrows, and cutting objects that are often thrown.

Martial arts training that does not use any tools comprise of one or more of the following methods: hand blows, arm blows, blocking, and parries, knee kicks, foot blows, throws, trips, take-downs, grappling and immobilization. In every type, there is a kind of strength or particular movement that is given with an emphasis. There are those concentrating on lower extremities, others on the hand or arm movements and some on the power to throw down the opponent. Some techniques focus on hard styles which emphasize power and strength. The soft style trains for speed and precision.

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Most of the prominent techniques around the world have unique styles with their sensational moves. When the practice of martial arts actually began is not know, history says that it emerged from different parts of the globe. There are a lot of styles that lived until now and some may already have modifications.

Many of the traditional styles originated from Asia. China has established a strong foundation of many different styles. Kung Fu is one of the most popular styles that rooted from them. The Kung Fu training comprises the physical, spiritual, and mental techniques. There are variations in their ways which often incorporates animal like styles such as the monkey style in the southern part of China. In the Northern part, the sword style is commonly used. Tai Chi Chuan is yet another style. Tai Chi is practiced to harmonize and maintain self balance. Another type is the Jeet Kune Do, which refers to the ways of the intercepting fist. It is more on fighting with the way you know how without consideration from where it came from. Japan strongly enforced some of their styles during their medieval times. Karate is one of their oldest forms known. Though it has many sub-styles, its principal techniques include hand and foot blows. Kobodu is an art of their weapon training. Aikidoku is a practitioner of Aikido, another Japanese fighting technique. Their training is a highly stylized form of Jiu Jitsu in performing throws and joint locks in a formal manner. They also train for weapon retention and weapon taking. Another Japanese technique is Judo which has two versatile phases, the stand phase and ground phase. It is more on throwing and grappling. This type is exclusively applied to sport variant. The art of Kendo is about sword fighting. A lot of Kendoka or swordsman reside in Japan.

The Koreans have also flourished with their own styles and techniques. Taekwondo practiced the hard style which includes powerful kicks, jumps, handstrikes and blocks. Higher practitioners perform grappling. Hapkido is another technique which is for self-defense. It teaches defensive styles against swords attacks.

The western martial arts were greatly influenced by the European colonies. Savate is one technique that was developed. It is a French style that involves boxing or kick boxing. Boxing which is basically punching, developed from United Kingdom. Stick fencing like Jogo do pau rose from Portugal. The Afro-Brazilian Capoiera is a mixture of martial arts combined with music and dancing. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu trains for self defense and mixed martial arts. Wrestling is a famous fighting technique that includes grappling, clinch fighting, throws, takedowns and joint locks.

There may be hundreds of styles and sub-styles around the world, but each technique has unique principles and practices. Though there may be differences, they are somehow interrelated. When these various styles are lived holistically, it will yield a flabbergasting performance and style.