| Martial Arts Training or 'The Arts of War' | | | | emphasis on punching, kicking and open hand |
| developed from a need to protect oneself, one's | | | | techniques. |
| family and community from any outside attack | | | | Aikido, 'the Way of harmonious spirit', uses the |
| by rival groups, raiders, conquering forces and so | | | | opponents force and momentum against them by |
| on. Over time, many regions of the world | | | | moving into the attack and re-directing it using |
| developed very different styles of martial art | | | | throws and joint locks. |
| fighting techniques. | | | | Jiu-jitsu, 'the art of softness', attempts to |
| Martial Arts today are practised all over the world | | | | overcome an opponent using minimal force. |
| and not just by the communities that originated | | | | Developed with less emphasis on striking due to |
| them. Wherever you are on the planet you can | | | | the problems with attacking an armoured |
| bet you are not far away from a class or | | | | opponent. It uses throwing, trapping and joint |
| teacher who will be able to pass on the skills you | | | | locks. |
| need to progress. The Arts can often be | | | | Korea |
| classified as 'hard' which includes external physical | | | | Taekwondo, 'the way of kicking and punching', is |
| strikes, kicks, punches etc or 'soft', which utilizes | | | | the national sport of Korea but its popularity has |
| internal exercises such as rhythmic breathing, | | | | spread around the world. It relies on using the |
| focus of the mind and visualization. | | | | power of the legs as main weapons and has |
| What types of martial arts are there around the | | | | developed many kicking techniques. It involves |
| world? Here is a brief guide by country, to some | | | | conditioning the limbs to make hard, powerful |
| of the more well known styles. | | | | strikes. |
| China | | | | Hapkido, 'the way of coordinated power/energy', |
| Often called 'Chinese boxing' or 'chung-kuo ch'uan', | | | | uses circular motion (imagine water flowing round |
| translates roughly to 'Chinese fist'. China has | | | | an obstacle) and fluid movements to control an |
| hundreds of different 'styles' of fighting across its | | | | opponent whilst utilizing point strikes, joint locks, |
| vast landmass but the more common name for | | | | throws and grapples. There is also equal emphasis |
| martial arts in China is 'Wu-Shu'. What the west | | | | on kicking, striking and punching. |
| recognises as the most common forms of | | | | Thailand |
| Wu-Shu are: | | | | Muay Thai, or Thai-boxing, 'the art of eight limbs', |
| Kung-fu, of which one of the most recognisable | | | | is Thailand's national sport. The eight points of |
| forms is Wing Chun or 'Beautiful Springtime' which | | | | contact (hands, shins, elbows, knees, fist and |
| is a mix of hard and soft techniques but there | | | | feet) are used to strike an opponent. In |
| are many other styles of Kung-fu. | | | | comparison Western boxing would be considered |
| Tai-chi, 'supreme ultimate fist', can be a hard or | | | | to have two points of contact - the fists. This is a |
| soft art depending on the style practised. It is | | | | hard and demanding fighting style that requires |
| most often taught as form of healthy exercise | | | | stamina and hard body conditioning. |
| although its effectiveness as a fighting art is often | | | | Philippines |
| underrated by many westerners. | | | | Eskrima is a fighting style incorporating stick, |
| Pa-kua (Ba Gua), 'eight symbols' (-the eight | | | | staves and sword techniques. |
| patterns of parallel lines in the I-Ching) is a 'soft' | | | | Indonesia |
| art involving rapid circular motions, direction | | | | Pencak Silat is a broad style encompassing many |
| changes and up and down movement at rapid | | | | different aspects depending on the region and |
| speeds. | | | | local traditions but focuses on intricate foot |
| Hsing-i (pronounced Shing yee), 'outward will or | | | | movements and hand attacks. At deeper levels |
| intention', utilizes rapid bursts of energy or power | | | | there is an emphasis on interior 'magical' technique |
| in structured movements to overcome opponents | | | | and mental practices. |
| at once attacking and defending. | | | | Brazilian/South American |
| Japan | | | | 'Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu', originally imported from Japan, |
| The Japanese martial arts combine were heavily | | | | focuses on grappling and fighting on the ground |
| influenced by the Bushido - 'the way of the | | | | which can mean that larger opponents have no |
| warrior'- a moral and ethical philosophy developed | | | | particular advantage over a smaller person. The |
| after centuries of military influence. There are | | | | art includes submission tactics such as choke holds |
| hard and soft elements and some styles place an | | | | and joint locking. This art is both a martial art and |
| emphasis on the development of 'Ki' energy (like | | | | a sport. The 'Gracie' family are famous for their |
| Chinese chi) through breath control, controlled | | | | brand of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and are probably the |
| movement and focus. | | | | most well known exponents of this style. |
| Karate, is foremost an external striking art with | | | | |