Martial Arts

by Frank J. Wolf

 To know more about martial arts training, knowing its background is essential. This will help one to understand how its ways and process started and developed. A brief discussion about its history will be tackled in this article.

Martial arts derived its meaning from the Greek word “mars”. In Greek mythology, Mars is the god of war. This was termed during the European 15th century. The Chinese fathom it as the art of war. It is said to be known not only as an art in acquiring skills, but also as a science in a sense that an individual who is practicing it, a martial artist, can gain knowledge through constant observation, concentration, study, and practice.

Martial arts rooted its history from different places. Distinctive training techniques widely distributed around the world have their own styles, stories, and principles. Each martial arts technique may be based on the culture and lifestyle of its provenance. Furthermore, it is also linked with the different religious beliefs such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism and alike.

Around 2000 B.C., it is said that both similar and different fighting methods are existing throughout the world. This kind of uncovered point creates a little agreement regarding the history and origin of martial arts. Most of the known fighting styles originate from Europe, Africa, America, and Asia.

Some of the most famous and world known fighting techniques come from Asia. The styles are generally acknowledged as coming from Tibet and India then passing on to China. Monks started to train to defend themselves from bandits. Japan is said to be the last country to acquire the knowledge of martial arts, but they are the ones who flourish well in it. During the world war II, martial arts training in japan was incorporated in their military programs. Martial arts conditioning also flourished in the western and southern part of the globe. Stick fighting emerged from Africa. In America, the using of bows, knives and spears took place. Different training weapons are also used for sword fighting, fencing, and jousting which developed from Europe. Boxing, wrestling, and pankration, which do not often use anything except strength, was also uncovered in the European civilization. During the development of firearms, the foundation of their martial arts slowly declined.

]]>

One of the oldest known sports, boxing, is a technique mainly using the fists. Its highlight is on the punches one does. In fact, with proper training and application of techniques, small fists can be as deadly as the big ones for they too, can punch hard and strong.

Aikido is a self defense technique involving some throws and joint locks that are taken from Jiu Jitsu and techniques originating from Kenjutsu. This art focuses not on hitting opponents but rather on using their energy to gain control over them or to throw them using their own force. Aikido puts a lot of emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement. What’s great about aikido is that even if your opponent is enormous, all you have to do is to know the weak points of your enemy and you’re sure to overpower him. And that is exactly what Aikido offers you.

Martial arts training is enforced basically for self defense. Presently in modern days, there are may reasons why people are pursuing to practice the different self defense techniques. Most of these reasons are finding it as a way of conditioning, disciplining, and expressing oneself. In addition, the progression and development of martial arts into a more meaningful part in the society makes sense. Mostly people in the whole world have admired the ways of martial arts because it is also presented in a commercialized way. Some types are already considered as sports and are often part of the Olympic games. It is also incorporated in some categories of arts such as in dance and in theater plays. In addition, each individual who desires to learn such skills can enroll in various training programs. Anyone can have their training even at home through books and martial arts training videos. Western regions appreciate the Asian fighting skills through Hollywood movies like those played by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The same with the Eastern regions, they appreciate the western ways of boxing, wrestling, and street fighting through media.

Some techniques use tools to compliment their training. The examples of martial arts equipment include the wooden dummy, head gear, gloves, swords, arnis sticks, knives and many more. There are a lot of unique training styles to be chosen from which are often interrelated. They are all the same as an art of mastery, balance, discipline and skills of technique.

The development of martial arts techniques continue to live and its training continue to develop through people who are living it, improving it, and doing their best to preserve it. It is constantly changing and surviving with some developments. According to Bruce Lee, founder of Jeet Kune Do also know as JKD which originated from Wing Chun, real combating is a dynamic that can change styles. Flexibility and adaptation to circumstances are important. For as an art, martial arts training is constantly improving.