| Protection for our children is something that we | | | | On the other hand, kickboxing is the main martial |
| always put on top of our priorities. But at some | | | | arts spectator sport because of its extensive |
| point in their lives, we will have to teach them to | | | | international television coverage. The sport was |
| defend themselves. | | | | first developed in Thailand hundreds of years ago, |
| Engaging your children with Mixed Martial Arts | | | | but in the 1970s it was adopted by Americans, |
| classes is one effective way of teaching them | | | | who helped make it popular all over the world. It |
| how to be disciplined and independent. About 100 | | | | is more known in Thailand as Muay Thai. |
| million people participate in the martial arts as a | | | | Kickboxing techniques involve the hand techniques |
| means of self-defense, physical fitness, mental | | | | of Western boxing and the kicking techniques of |
| tranquility, and competition. There are about 200 | | | | the Eastern martial arts. In competitions, |
| distinct martial arts, and within each one are | | | | contestants are required to wear gloves and |
| specific schools called styles or systems. These | | | | footpads. |
| styles number in the thousands. | | | | Martial arts can also be divided into those that do |
| Evolution Martial Arts can offer your child all the | | | | not use weapons and those that require them. In |
| benefits from various types of martial arts such | | | | judo, for example, competitors use only their |
| as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Karate, | | | | bodies, but in many styles of kung fu, weapons |
| Judo, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and wrestling. So if | | | | represent an essential part of the basic training. |
| you're in Tampa or Carrollwood, why not try | | | | Common weapons used in martial arts include |
| enrolling your kids so they could get started. | | | | swords, staffs, and spears made of wood or |
| Despite the array of martial arts (MMA) and | | | | metal. Firearms are never used. |
| styles, most of them share common techniques, | | | | Martial arts can also be divided by function and |
| and so they can be organized into broad | | | | philosophy into traditional and nontraditional, |
| categories that facilitate understanding. The | | | | according to the way they are taught. Traditional |
| primary way of classifying martial arts is by the | | | | teachers emphasize self-improvement, whereas |
| basic physical technique they use: striking or | | | | non-traditionalists emphasize self-defense. When |
| grappling. | | | | instructing their students, traditionalists focus on |
| The striking technique, technically referred to as | | | | three priorities, in the following order: spiritual |
| percussive, uses blows with the hands, elbows, | | | | development, discipline, and aesthetic form. |
| feet, knees, and head. Such popular martial arts | | | | Nontraditional instruction accents combat, discipline, |
| as karate, kung fu, and tae kwon do fall under | | | | and spiritual development. Both schools of thought |
| this category. | | | | offer advantages to students, encouraging the |
| Grappling arts, on the other hand, primarily employ | | | | cultivation of such traits as self-confidence, which |
| throwing, locking, and wrestling techniques. These | | | | can then be successfully carried over and applied |
| arts seek to neutralize aggressive action by | | | | to everyday life. |
| gaining control over an adversary without | | | | The roots of mixed martial arts can be traced |
| necessarily striking the person. The most popular | | | | back to various mixed style contests that took |
| grappling arts are jiujutsu or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), | | | | place throughout Europe, Japan and the Pacific |
| judo, and aikido. Wrestling is the western world's | | | | Rim during the early 1900s. Today, it's one of the |
| version of these fighting styles. | | | | most popular full-contact sport in the US. |