| Lots of exciting activities are taking place within | | | | many decades. Mostly, they have originated from |
| the Knoxville martial arts community. Every year, | | | | the Chinese community. Three very popular |
| experts from all around the world arrive at | | | | forms of Internal martial arts are Bagua, Tai Chi, |
| Knoxville to participate in martial arts events. | | | | and Xing Yi. Such techniques incorporate special |
| Since these experts have different backgrounds | | | | breathing techniques with the movements. |
| and come from different cultures, they bring with | | | | Often, such martial arts involve more precise and |
| them a rich diversity of knowledge and | | | | meticulous movements. However, practicing such |
| experiences. Through participation and interaction | | | | arts may require a huge amount of patience. A |
| in martial arts events, they hope to share what | | | | true master may easily spend years practicing |
| they know. Here are some examples of the | | | | just one form of Internal martial art. |
| different types of martial arts that you may | | | | Though highly beneficial for health, many |
| come across in Knoxville. | | | | youngsters find it hard to participate in training |
| Combat forms. | | | | sessions because the training involves a lot of |
| Many martial artists pick up the sport to learn | | | | patience. However, many experts have been able |
| how to fight. Combat is an important and essential | | | | to demonstrate that Internal martial arts may be |
| element of martial art. In life threatening | | | | more effective than traditional forms of combat |
| situations, combat skills can even help save lives. | | | | martial arts. |
| Pencak Silat is a form of highly combative martial | | | | Sports martial arts. |
| art that originated from the deep jungles of | | | | These are fighting techniques that are officially |
| South East Asia. It is practiced by many different | | | | recognized as competitive sports. In other words, |
| people in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines, and | | | | if you are a student of such a sport, you will be |
| many other countries in South East Asia. Silat | | | | able to take part in competitions. Such sports |
| consists of many forms of attack and defense, | | | | include boxing, Jui Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do (founded by |
| but its main focus is on bladed attacks. Therefore, | | | | Bruce Lee) and Teakwondo. |
| you will witness many techniques and strategies | | | | Some people participate in sports martial arts |
| that involve using blades or defending against | | | | because they want to get into shape, but others |
| them. | | | | love to compete. A sport martial art is ideal |
| Systema is a type of martial art that originated | | | | because it helps the individual achieve both goals. |
| from Russia and is practiced by the Russian | | | | Those who do not wish to take the sport further |
| Special Forces. Unlike traditional forms of martial | | | | as a competitive sport can just practice for fun |
| arts, Systema does not focus on a fixed set of | | | | and fitness. For those who are more serious |
| movements. Instead, drills are incorporated into | | | | about the sport, they can train hard and compete |
| the training to ensure that martial artists develop | | | | in many different kinds of events. |
| their coordination and sense of timing. In many | | | | Then there are many other forms of main |
| ways, Systema is very effective and practical. | | | | stream martial arts that you may already have |
| The system moves away from rigidity and | | | | heard of. These include Capoeira, Aikido, Karate, |
| towards fluidity. | | | | Kendo, Chinese Kung Fu, Iaido, and Praying Mantis. |
| Internal martial arts. | | | | You get to see and experience all of these for |
| Internal martial arts have been in existence for | | | | yourself in Knoxville. |