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How to Choose a Martial Art

Once you've decided that you want to startWhile the beginnings of Taekwondo can be
training a martial art, you'll need to decidetraced as far back as 30 B.C., modern
which one is best for you. Of course, yourTaekwondo began after Korea was liberated in
choice might be dictated by the schools1945. Koreans wanted to eradicate all
available in your area, but if you're luckyJapanese influence on martial arts, so they
you'll have the choice of at least a fewbegan connecting the Korean martial arts
different types. There are many differentschools and styles to create a national
types of martial arts (and even variationssport. The name Taekwondo ("the way of the
within the basic types) so it's important tohand and foot") was chosen in 1965. 1973
make sure that you research the techniquesmarks the beginning of the World Taekwondo
and features to find the best fit for yourFederation. It became a part of the Olympics
lifestyle and needs. This generalin  2000.
explanation of the six most popular styles in
the United States can help you get started onTechniques
the  decision.
Taekwondo consists of four disciplines
It's also important to note that there are asincluding patterns, sparring, self-defense
many interpretations of the martial artsand a break test. Taekwondo is primarily a
styles as there are instructors. Studentskicking art and there is a large emphasis on
also interpret the class differently thansport. People who train Taekwondo need to
other students in the same class, so othercombine philosophy, mental and physical
people's opinions are not always the bestdiscipline  and  ability  to  their training.
determiner of what style you should pursue.
While you are trying to find the martial artFeatures
that's right for you, it is helpful to also
try a few classes to get a feel for the- Taekwondo is recognizable by its high
style,  instructor  and  school.kicks.
KARATE- Taekwondo black belts exams require a break
test.
History
- Taekwondo training can include the use of
Karate can be translated as "empty hand"vital  points  to  attack  an  enemy.
which means that it is a martial art
performed without weapons. While the history- Taekwondo schools are often kid- and sport-
of Karate is somewhat vague, its ancientoriented.
roots have been traced back to China in the
5th century B.C. The more modern form of- Taekwondo students often are expected to
Karate began in Okinawa, Japan during thecompete  in  many  tournaments.
late 1700s. There was a weapon ban in
Okinawa at this time, so people had to comeT'AI  CHI
up with system of self defense that used
empty hands - they combined aspects ofHistory
Chinese martial arts with the Te traditional
to Okinawa. By the early 1900s it beganThe development of T'ai Chi (translated as
spreading throughout Japan. In 1964, the"the supreme ultimate") is credited to Chang
Federation of Karate Organizations was formedSan-feng, but Wang Chung-yueh and Chiang Fa
as a means to create some continuity forelaborated on the original art. They took
Karate world-wide. Even so, there are manySan-feng's 13 postures and devised continuous
different styles and variations of Karatesequences that linked them together. T'ai
today.Chi used to be a greatly defensive art - even
deadly. So much so, that the families who
Techniquesknew it guarded it fiercely. Now, T'ai Chi
is less violent and is used to get rid of
Karate is a linear martial art. It uses amore figurative enemies such as stress and
wide variety of movements: kicks, punches,fatigue.
blocks, strikes, evasions and throws.
Training focuses on having a strong offenseTechniques
and puts equal importance on the three areas
of  the  art:  basics,  sparring  and  forms.People who practice T'ai Chi may use weapons,
but the underlying theory is that the art is
Featuresused to unify the mind, body and spirit. It
is often now used to guide negative energy
- People who practice Karate use their hipsaway from oneself. There are two ways to
to  generate  power.practice T'ai Chi. The long form can take 30
minutes or more while the short form can take
- Ranks, values and styles differ fromless than 10 minutes. The forms focus on
organization  to  organization.continuous movement that leads to relaxation
and solid stances. In T'ai Chi, each arm is
- Karate, which can be hard and straightused to protect half of the body and the
line, is very disciplined and somehands never reach past the toes. T'ai Chi
traditional  schools  might  seem very harsh.can be done alone (forms) or with a partner
(self-defense  training).
AIKIDO
Features
History
- T'ai Chi teaches awareness of balance and
Using the influences of the traditional artwhat  affects  it  in  oneself and in others.
of Daito Ryo Aikijo-Jitsu, Japanese fencing,
spear fighting and Omotokyo, Moriehie Usehiba- T'ai Chi has five major styles, but there
developed the martial art of Aikido ("theare  always  new  ones  developing.
peaceful art"). He first used this name for
it in 1942. The basis of this art is to live- The basis of T'ai Chi's self defense is to
in a spirit of protection instead of physicalmeet force and stick with it until can be
domination. The art of Aikido is ruled byredirected  instead  of  resisting  it.
the International Aikido Federation in Tokyo,
Japan.- T'ai Chi focuses on slow movements, so
people who like vigorous exercise often find
Techniquesthis  martial  art  to  be  boring  and slow.
Aikido is a circular martial art. Instead ofKUNG  FU
winning a fight with physical domination,
Aikido teaches its participants to controlHistory
and redirect the negative energy. This leads
to a commitment to both peaceful resolutionsKung Fu (translated as "skill and effort")
of conflict as well as self-improvementactually refers to over 200 styles of martial
through training. People who practice Aikidoarts (most of which stem from Chinese martial
learn to use throws and pins as well as howarts). Kung fu can be traced back to the
to immobilize their attackers. They don't useshoalin temples where the monks used it for
punches and kicks, except as a distraction.health and spiritual developments as well as
The basis of the art is to learn how to staya method of self defense. During the early
out of the line of attack and gain control of1900s, Kung Fu, also called Wu Shu, spread
the attacker's balance in order to stop thethroughout China when fighting arts became
attacker.very popular. In the 1960s and '70s Kung
Fu's popularity grew due to the Bruce Lee
Featuresmovies.
- Aikido does use weapons: jo (a 4-5 footTechniques
long staff), Bokken (a wooden sword) and a
Tanto  (a  wooden  knife).Kung Fu is central to the Chinese culture and
is used both for physical wellness and
- Aikido is a non-violent method ofartistic expressions. Within the many
self-defense.different styles of Kung Fu, there are
variations from hard and linear to soft and
- The quality of the belt ranks is strictlycircular in technique. Some use weapons
regulated.(including the common sword, saber, spear and
cudgel) and others do not. The seemingly
- Aikido lacks many of the kicks and strikescommon thread through them all, however, is
common  to  other  martial  arts.to teach the students to respect the teacher
and other Kung Fu styles. Kung Fu also
JUDOrequires (as well as builds) mental strength
in addition to physical strength to be
Historysuccessfully practiced. Kung Fu students
also often practice some techniques
Dr. Jigro Kano developed Judo after he wasindividually and others with groups. In many
enrolled at Tenjin Shinyo ryo School ofschools, beginning training starts with what
Ju-Jitsu because he was frustrated with allis called the Southern Fist style. It
of the student injuries. Judo is a gentleinvolves footwork, kicks and hand combat
martial art that helps its participantstechniques.
strive to perfect themselves and to be a
value to society. Judo, which means "theFeatures
gentle way", improves physical, mental,
emotional  and  spiritual  health.- Kung Fu refers to the hundreds of different
styles  of  martial  arts  in  China.
Techniques
- People who practice Kung Fu learn many
Judo uses throwing, grappling, pins, holds,different fighting techniques including fist
locks and choking. However, the trainingfighting, weapon fighting, routines and
focuses on safety - participants need to workcombats.
towards top conditioning and Judo is always
practiced on mats. Judo participants learn- Many Kung Fu styles use similar principals
the art through a series of forms thatsuch as, proper diet, and breathing,
consist of throwing and sparring - there areconcentration  and  meditation  exercises.
no  strikes  in  competitive  Judo.
- Some Kung Fu styles use weapons while
Featuresothers  do  not.
- Judo has a strict set of rules and a clear- Kung Fu training improves physical
instructional  sequence.conditioning through strengthening of the
joints  and  increases  speed  and reactions.
- Judo rules, training and ranks are fairly
standardized  throughout  the  world.- Kung Fu's major difference over other
martial arts is that it not only focuses on
- Judo helps develop complete body control,outer, physical power, but also involves
fine  balance  and  fast  reflexes.training the mind and inner power through
breathing  exercises  and  meditation.
- Judo uses a lot of grappling, throws,
grabbing and ground work. Because of this, itI hope you find this information useful. I
often  reminds  people  of  wrestling.wish that I could cover all of the styles
that I left out, but it would take an entire
TAEKWONDObook to do that. If you have any questions
about which style would be best for you,
Historyplease feel free to call or email me.



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