| Once you've decided that you want to start | | | | While the beginnings of Taekwondo can be traced |
| training a martial art, you'll need to decide which | | | | as far back as 30 B.C., modern Taekwondo began |
| one is best for you. Of course, your choice might | | | | after Korea was liberated in 1945. Koreans |
| be dictated by the schools available in your area, | | | | wanted to eradicate all Japanese influence on |
| but if you're lucky you'll have the choice of at | | | | martial arts, so they began connecting the Korean |
| least a few different types. There are many | | | | martial arts schools and styles to create a national |
| different types of martial arts (and even | | | | sport. The name Taekwondo ("the way of the |
| variations within the basic types) so it's important | | | | hand and foot") was chosen in 1965. 1973 marks |
| to make sure that you research the techniques | | | | the beginning of the World Taekwondo Federation. |
| and features to find the best fit for your lifestyle | | | | It became a part of the Olympics in 2000. |
| and needs. This general explanation of the six | | | | Techniques |
| most popular styles in the United States can help | | | | Taekwondo consists of four disciplines including |
| you get started on the decision. | | | | patterns, sparring, self-defense and a break test. |
| It's also important to note that there are as | | | | Taekwondo is primarily a kicking art and there is a |
| many interpretations of the martial arts styles as | | | | large emphasis on sport. People who train |
| there are instructors. Students also interpret the | | | | Taekwondo need to combine philosophy, mental |
| class differently than other students in the same | | | | and physical discipline and ability to their training. |
| class, so other people's opinions are not always | | | | Features |
| the best determiner of what style you should | | | | - Taekwondo is recognizable by its high kicks. |
| pursue. While you are trying to find the martial art | | | | - Taekwondo black belts exams require a break |
| that's right for you, it is helpful to also try a few | | | | test. |
| classes to get a feel for the style, instructor and | | | | - Taekwondo training can include the use of vital |
| school. | | | | points to attack an enemy. |
| KARATE | | | | - Taekwondo schools are often kid- and sport- |
| History | | | | oriented. |
| Karate can be translated as "empty hand" which | | | | - Taekwondo students often are expected to |
| means that it is a martial art performed without | | | | compete in many tournaments. |
| weapons. While the history of Karate is | | | | T'AI CHI |
| somewhat vague, its ancient roots have been | | | | History |
| traced back to China in the 5th century B.C. The | | | | The development of T'ai Chi (translated as "the |
| more modern form of Karate began in Okinawa, | | | | supreme ultimate") is credited to Chang San-feng, |
| Japan during the late 1700s. There was a weapon | | | | but Wang Chung-yueh and Chiang Fa elaborated |
| ban in Okinawa at this time, so people had to | | | | on the original art. They took San-feng's 13 |
| come up with system of self defense that used | | | | postures and devised continuous sequences that |
| empty hands - they combined aspects of Chinese | | | | linked them together. T'ai Chi used to be a greatly |
| martial arts with the Te traditional to Okinawa. By | | | | defensive art - even deadly. So much so, that the |
| the early 1900s it began spreading throughout | | | | families who knew it guarded it fiercely. Now, T'ai |
| Japan. In 1964, the Federation of Karate | | | | Chi is less violent and is used to get rid of more |
| Organizations was formed as a means to create | | | | figurative enemies such as stress and fatigue. |
| some continuity for Karate world-wide. Even so, | | | | Techniques |
| there are many different styles and variations of | | | | People who practice T'ai Chi may use weapons, |
| Karate today. | | | | but the underlying theory is that the art is used |
| Techniques | | | | to unify the mind, body and spirit. It is often now |
| Karate is a linear martial art. It uses a wide | | | | used to guide negative energy away from |
| variety of movements: kicks, punches, blocks, | | | | oneself. There are two ways to practice T'ai Chi. |
| strikes, evasions and throws. Training focuses on | | | | The long form can take 30 minutes or more while |
| having a strong offense and puts equal | | | | the short form can take less than 10 minutes. |
| importance on the three areas of the art: basics, | | | | The forms focus on continuous movement that |
| sparring and forms. | | | | leads to relaxation and solid stances. In T'ai Chi, |
| Features | | | | each arm is used to protect half of the body and |
| - People who practice Karate use their hips to | | | | the hands never reach past the toes. T'ai Chi can |
| generate power. | | | | be done alone (forms) or with a partner |
| - Ranks, values and styles differ from organization | | | | (self-defense training). |
| to organization. | | | | Features |
| - Karate, which can be hard and straight line, is | | | | - T'ai Chi teaches awareness of balance and what |
| very disciplined and some traditional schools might | | | | affects it in oneself and in others. |
| seem very harsh. | | | | - T'ai Chi has five major styles, but there are |
| AIKIDO | | | | always new ones developing. |
| History | | | | - The basis of T'ai Chi's self defense is to meet |
| Using the influences of the traditional art of Daito | | | | force and stick with it until can be redirected |
| Ryo Aikijo-Jitsu, Japanese fencing, spear fighting | | | | instead of resisting it. |
| and Omotokyo, Moriehie Usehiba developed the | | | | - T'ai Chi focuses on slow movements, so people |
| martial art of Aikido ("the peaceful art"). He first | | | | who like vigorous exercise often find this martial |
| used this name for it in 1942. The basis of this art | | | | art to be boring and slow. |
| is to live in a spirit of protection instead of | | | | KUNG FU |
| physical domination. The art of Aikido is ruled by | | | | History |
| the International Aikido Federation in Tokyo, | | | | Kung Fu (translated as "skill and effort") actually |
| Japan. | | | | refers to over 200 styles of martial arts (most |
| Techniques | | | | of which stem from Chinese martial arts). Kung fu |
| Aikido is a circular martial art. Instead of winning a | | | | can be traced back to the shoalin temples where |
| fight with physical domination, Aikido teaches its | | | | the monks used it for health and spiritual |
| participants to control and redirect the negative | | | | developments as well as a method of self |
| energy. This leads to a commitment to both | | | | defense. During the early 1900s, Kung Fu, also |
| peaceful resolutions of conflict as well as | | | | called Wu Shu, spread throughout China when |
| self-improvement through training. People who | | | | fighting arts became very popular. In the 1960s |
| practice Aikido learn to use throws and pins as | | | | and '70s Kung Fu's popularity grew due to the |
| well as how to immobilize their attackers. They | | | | Bruce Lee movies. |
| don't use punches and kicks, except as a | | | | Techniques |
| distraction. The basis of the art is to learn how to | | | | Kung Fu is central to the Chinese culture and is |
| stay out of the line of attack and gain control of | | | | used both for physical wellness and artistic |
| the attacker's balance in order to stop the | | | | expressions. Within the many different styles of |
| attacker. | | | | Kung Fu, there are variations from hard and linear |
| Features | | | | to soft and circular in technique. Some use |
| - Aikido does use weapons: jo (a 4-5 foot long | | | | weapons (including the common sword, saber, |
| staff), Bokken (a wooden sword) and a Tanto (a | | | | spear and cudgel) and others do not. The |
| wooden knife). | | | | seemingly common thread through them all, |
| - Aikido is a non-violent method of self-defense. | | | | however, is to teach the students to respect the |
| - The quality of the belt ranks is strictly regulated. | | | | teacher and other Kung Fu styles. Kung Fu also |
| - Aikido lacks many of the kicks and strikes | | | | requires (as well as builds) mental strength in |
| common to other martial arts. | | | | addition to physical strength to be successfully |
| JUDO | | | | practiced. Kung Fu students also often practice |
| History | | | | some techniques individually and others with |
| Dr. Jigro Kano developed Judo after he was | | | | groups. In many schools, beginning training starts |
| enrolled at Tenjin Shinyo ryo School of Ju-Jitsu | | | | with what is called the Southern Fist style. It |
| because he was frustrated with all of the student | | | | involves footwork, kicks and hand combat |
| injuries. Judo is a gentle martial art that helps its | | | | techniques. |
| participants strive to perfect themselves and to | | | | Features |
| be a value to society. Judo, which means "the | | | | - Kung Fu refers to the hundreds of different |
| gentle way", improves physical, mental, emotional | | | | styles of martial arts in China. |
| and spiritual health. | | | | - People who practice Kung Fu learn many |
| Techniques | | | | different fighting techniques including fist fighting, |
| Judo uses throwing, grappling, pins, holds, locks | | | | weapon fighting, routines and combats. |
| and choking. However, the training focuses on | | | | - Many Kung Fu styles use similar principals such |
| safety - participants need to work towards top | | | | as, proper diet, and breathing, concentration and |
| conditioning and Judo is always practiced on mats. | | | | meditation exercises. |
| Judo participants learn the art through a series of | | | | - Some Kung Fu styles use weapons while others |
| forms that consist of throwing and sparring - | | | | do not. |
| there are no strikes in competitive Judo. | | | | - Kung Fu training improves physical conditioning |
| Features | | | | through strengthening of the joints and increases |
| - Judo has a strict set of rules and a clear | | | | speed and reactions. |
| instructional sequence. | | | | - Kung Fu's major difference over other martial |
| - Judo rules, training and ranks are fairly | | | | arts is that it not only focuses on outer, physical |
| standardized throughout the world. | | | | power, but also involves training the mind and |
| - Judo helps develop complete body control, fine | | | | inner power through breathing exercises and |
| balance and fast reflexes. | | | | meditation. |
| - Judo uses a lot of grappling, throws, grabbing | | | | I hope you find this information useful. I wish that |
| and ground work. Because of this, it often | | | | I could cover all of the styles that I left out, but it |
| reminds people of wrestling. | | | | would take an entire book to do that. If you have |
| TAEKWONDO | | | | any questions about which style would be best |
| History | | | | for you, please feel free to call or email me. |