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