| Martial Arts come in different forms and they are | | | | the arm or hand of the opponent is hit and not |
| not only confined to Kung-fu or Taekwondo, | | | | the cane. This method was called "defanging the |
| which is popularized a lot in television and the | | | | snake", where in, the opponent will drop his |
| movies. You would be surprised to know that | | | | weapon, making him less of a threat. Then this |
| certain forms of fighting are also called martial | | | | technique has been discouraged a lot from learning |
| arts. To learn and practice martial arts, one should | | | | the art. This is because it was too painful to learn. |
| be well equipped with the proper supplies. | | | | Plus, this caused the Filipino martial arts to |
| Martial arts have different origins. The term | | | | become almost extinct! Therefore, what Remy |
| "Martial" is derived from the Roman god of war | | | | Preses did is to preserve the Filipino martial art via |
| named "Mars". Martial Arts simply mean "the art | | | | developing a method of cane-to-cane combat |
| of war". Although most people think that martial | | | | during practice. This is in order to attract would be |
| arts only came from the Asian cultures, it is also | | | | practitioners of the art. Thus, the "defanging the |
| found in America and Europe. Martial arts feature | | | | snake" method remains the practical application. |
| a type of combat system that has codes within a | | | | TAEKWONDO |
| single objective of physically defeating a person. | | | | Taekwondo is the national sport of South Korea |
| Aside from this, it is mainly used for self-defense | | | | and perhaps the most popular martial art in the |
| against any bodily harm. Some martial arts | | | | world. It is a combination of self-defense, sport, |
| techniques are actually based on a spiritual or | | | | and combat techniques, which makes it an official |
| religious philosophy such as Aikido and Judo. This is | | | | event in the Olympics. The training of taekwondo |
| while others base it on a certain code of honor | | | | usually involves the use of the power of the hips |
| such as fencing. Hence, martial arts techniques are | | | | and legs. It also has blocks, punches, sweeps, and |
| being practiced as a form of combat sports and | | | | joint locks. |
| some in the form of dance. | | | | Taekwondo is distinguished from other techniques |
| Thus, regardless of where the art originated, they | | | | because of its kicking techniques. They believe |
| have similarities with one another. Each style has a | | | | that the leg is the most powerful weapon |
| systematized fighting style. They even have | | | | especially with the back kick of taekwondo. The |
| forms and routines when they do sparring, which | | | | union of the mind and body is developed and |
| is practiced either alone or with a partner. Martial | | | | practiced in this art, while developing other |
| arts are grouped in a way that each style will | | | | aspects such as discipline, strength, flexibility, and |
| focus on a certain area. | | | | stamina. |
| Below is a list of samples for each group: | | | | The "dobok" is the official uniform of a |
| Grappling | | | | taekwondo student and is usually white, and with |
| Throwing - Judo, Jujutsu, Sambo | | | | it, a belt is worn around the waist where its color |
| Joint Lock - Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Hapkido | | | | will indicate the person's rank. |
| Pinning Techniques - Wrestling, Judo | | | | FENCING |
| Striking | | | | A European martial art that involves the use of |
| Punching - Boxing (Western style), Wing Chun | | | | swords, knives, bayonets and other similar |
| Kicking - Capoeira, Savate, Taekwondo | | | | weapons used in armed combat. Presently there |
| Other Strikes - Muay thai, Karate, Shaolin | | | | are three weapons used: |
| Kung Fu | | | | Foil - light thrusting weapon |
| Weapons | | | | Epee - heavy thrusting weapon |
| Traditional Weaponry - Fencing, Gatka, Kendo, | | | | Sabre - light cutting and thrusting weapon |
| Kali | | | | Dueling gained popularity with the Europeans in the |
| Modern Weaponry - Eskrima, Jogo do pau, | | | | 17th up to the 19th century, where in, the cutting |
| Jukendo | | | | style of swordplay became a thrusting style or |
| For some, most of the styles are well known as | | | | "foining". During that time fencing involves |
| a form of Martial Arts technique and only a few | | | | defending one's honor so no duels using sharp |
| would know that boxing and fencing is also | | | | blades took place unless a formal insult was made. |
| categorized as such. At present, most styles of | | | | After World War I, dueling was almost |
| martial arts are being used as combat sports. For | | | | non-existent and went out after the Second |
| the others, they are used in military or police | | | | World War. Therefore, the training and using of |
| training as a form of self-defense. | | | | sharp swords disappeared. Plus, the emphasis was |
| Hence, Tae Kwon Do, fencing, boxing, and | | | | more in the technique and training styles of |
| wrestling are events in the summer Olympics. | | | | fencing. |
| This is while other martial arts such as Wushu of | | | | As a form of martial art, the goal of fencing is to |
| China and Muay Thai have tournaments held | | | | be theoretically trained for a duel. In classical |
| around the world. Aside from this, there are also | | | | fencing, where in the art of swordplay is applied |
| those, which are regarded both as a form of | | | | and even expected to become applied in their |
| dance and as a type of Martial Art. Good | | | | training for an actual duel or fight, they utilize the |
| examples would include the Capoeira of Brazil, | | | | standard foil, epee, and the blunted sabre. As for |
| Yolah of Oman/UAE, and Buza from Russia. | | | | historical fencing, the use of a variety of |
| Here is short description of some of the | | | | weaponry with realistic weight will demand a |
| techniques mentioned above. | | | | different way of handling them, even affecting |
| CAPOEIRA | | | | the movement of the body. |
| The slaves in Brazil created this martial art during | | | | Today, fencing, as a type of sport, uses |
| in the 16th century. It's a blend of dance, game, | | | | protective clothing during practices or events. The |
| and as mentioned already - martial art, where in, | | | | complete set includes the following: |
| music is incorporated. It's more of a skill based art | | | | Croissard - form fitting jacket covering the |
| rather than injuring the opponent. The players' | | | | groin with a strap that goes between the legs. |
| form a circle called the Roda, where in, they will | | | | Gorget - small fabric to protect the neck |
| take turns in playing inside the circle. | | | | Plastron - under arm protector |
| The basic movement in Capoeira is called the | | | | Glove - to protect the hand and prevent the |
| ginga, in which, they need to swing and rock back | | | | blade from going into the sleeve |
| and forth. They should move with the rhythm of | | | | Breeches or knickers - short trousers |
| the music being played by the bateria. Hence, the | | | | Socks - knee length or thigh high |
| players usually use acrobatic movements such as | | | | Shoes - with flat soles |
| cartwheels, handstands and use kicks, sweeps, | | | | Mask - with a bib to protect the neck |
| and head strikes as a form of attack. They also | | | | Plastic chest protectors - required for female |
| do rolls and ducks, as their defensive move and | | | | fencers |
| as type of preparation for an attack. | | | | Things you need when you are planning to join a |
| Thus, this is more of a combination move for | | | | martial arts class: |
| self-defense that makes use of a cartwheel with | | | | 1. Uniform - most students are required to have a |
| a blocking kick and an attack at the same time. | | | | uniform. There are available uniforms for students |
| BOXING | | | | of the following: |
| The ancient Greeks first introduced it as a sport | | | | Taekwondo |
| and there are different forms of boxing done | | | | Karate |
| around the world. As a combat sport, usually two | | | | Judo and Aikido |
| persons with a similar weight class fight with each | | | | Kung-fu |
| other using their fists. There is the presence of a | | | | Ninja |
| referee, one who needs to watch over and | | | | Belts |
| control the fight. | | | | 2. Protective gears and sparring gears |
| Since boxing is a type of contact sport, certain | | | | Head gear |
| precautions must be taken in order to prevent | | | | Hand gear |
| injury. Hand and wrist wraps and boxing gloves | | | | Foot gear |
| are worn in order to protect the bones in the | | | | Chest guard |
| hands. During practice or sparring sessions, a | | | | Shin guard |
| headgear is also worn to protect the head and | | | | 3. Weapons |
| face. A mouthpiece is also worn to protect the | | | | Practice swords |
| insides of the cheek and lips from getting cut and | | | | Escrimas |
| also the jaw joint when the face gets hit. | | | | Weapons cases |
| Boxers practice their punches on a "speed bag" or | | | | Weapons stand |
| on the heavy "punching bag" in order to develop | | | | Knives |
| speed, agility, and strength. Other training | | | | Bo's and staffs |
| equipments include free weights, jump ropes, and | | | | Kubotan |
| medicine balls. The trainer uses focus mitts as | | | | 4. Training gear |
| padded targets for the boxer during practice. | | | | Breaking boards |
| MODERN ARNIS | | | | Mats |
| A Filipino style of martial arts founded by the late | | | | Conditioning gears - hand grips, double end ball |
| Remy Preses was created as a self-defense | | | | Hand held pads -mitts and arm shield |
| system. Influenced by the style of the Bolo | | | | Heavy bags |
| (machete) and the art of Balintawak | | | | 5. Boxing equipments |
| (Stick-Dueling), rattan sticks are used as | | | | Gloves |
| weaponry, in which, it is called a "baston" (baton) | | | | Cardio wraps |
| or cane. Two techniques are taught using the | | | | Jump rope |
| baston - the single and double stick technique. | | | | Leather speed ball |
| The cane is considered sacred to the practitioners | | | | 6. |
| of the art. This is the reason why, during combat, | | | | |