| The martial arts are widely perceived in | | | | form of kickboxing called "savate". For every |
| North America as a form of sport. Parents | | | | Judo, there is a sambo. |
| enroll children in karate classes to instill | | | | |
| a sense of discipline. Adults train in | | | | Through the centuries, people the world over |
| martial arts to learn self-defense | | | | have developed a range of martial arts |
| techniques. Many in the western world strive | | | | systems. While each is distinct in its own |
| to obtain a black belt, thinking that this is | | | | way, there are many similarities. The primary |
| the pinnacle of their training and education. | | | | function of martial arts is a means of |
| In eastern countries, the martial arts are | | | | effective self-defense during combat. Watch a |
| much more than sport. They are history, | | | | martial arts performer, and you will often |
| culture, philosophy, and respect. | | | | see a blur of arms and legs. But true martial |
| | | | artists don't just flail around to punch and |
| The term "martial arts" is used as a general | | | | kick. They use their bodies to execute single |
| categorization of fighting systems that | | | | or multiple pre-choreographed movements that |
| originated in ancient times. If you were to | | | | have been perfected over time. When executed |
| fully review martial arts, you would find a | | | | properly, these moves can be lethal weapons |
| vast array of systems; each with its own set | | | | in their own right. |
| of techniques that have been perfected over | | | | |
| the ages. For the most part, martial arts do | | | | Practicing martial arts, in any of its forms, |
| not encourage the use of weapons in combat, | | | | requires a high degree of skill. The routines |
| though exceptions do exist. | | | | and techniques that students perfect over the |
| | | | years form a fighting vocabulary. Students |
| In studying martial arts, you'll find the | | | | with larger vocabularies become more highly |
| earliest form originated in China more than | | | | skilled fighters. Each routine takes a great |
| 2500 years ago. Some philosophies hold that | | | | deal of time to perfect, and true martial |
| martial arts systems were adapted into | | | | artists have a large repertoire to choose |
| various forms in Japan and other eastern | | | | from. In times of need, the skill of the |
| countries. Another school of thought believes | | | | artist depends on his or her ability to use |
| that these other countries developed their | | | | the right technique at the appropriate time. |
| own original styles and systems of martial | | | | |
| arts. Unfortunately, their origins were not | | | | Of course, there is more to martial arts than |
| well documented and therefore largely | | | | the perfect execution of movement. Martial |
| unknown. | | | | arts were created for use in combat. Serious |
| | | | combat. For this reason, success at martial |
| Images of martial arts, as North Americans | | | | arts means training and using your mind, as |
| see them, were conjured up by Hollywood. | | | | well as your body. Invariably, every form of |
| Filmmakers will have us believe that martial | | | | martial arts is characterized by a very |
| arts are part of the Oriental mystique, and | | | | conscious application of force, utilized to |
| that kung fu, judo, karate and tae kwon do | | | | achieve maximum effect. |
| belong exclusively to the Oriental countries. | | | | |
| In reality, nothing could be further from the | | | | Learning karate, or judo, or tae kwon do is |
| truth. | | | | one thing. Studying the martial arts is |
| | | | something altogether different. If you wish |
| Martial arts have evolved from countries | | | | to be a true student of the martial arts, you |
| around the globe. For every person practicing | | | | must concentrate with your mind while you |
| tae kwon do, there is someone doing a French | | | | perform with your body. |