| Once you've decided that you want to start | | | | While the beginnings of Taekwondo can be |
| training a martial art, you'll need to decide | | | | traced as far back as 30 B.C., modern |
| which one is best for you. Of course, your | | | | Taekwondo began after Korea was liberated in |
| choice might be dictated by the schools | | | | 1945. Koreans wanted to eradicate all |
| available in your area, but if you're lucky | | | | Japanese influence on martial arts, so they |
| you'll have the choice of at least a few | | | | began connecting the Korean martial arts |
| different types. There are many different | | | | schools and styles to create a national |
| types of martial arts (and even variations | | | | sport. The name Taekwondo ("the way of the |
| within the basic types) so it's important to | | | | hand and foot") was chosen in 1965. 1973 |
| make sure that you research the techniques | | | | marks the beginning of the World Taekwondo |
| and features to find the best fit for your | | | | Federation. It became a part of the Olympics |
| lifestyle and needs. This general | | | | in 2000. |
| explanation of the six most popular styles in | | | | |
| the United States can help you get started on | | | | Techniques |
| the decision. | | | | |
| | | | Taekwondo consists of four disciplines |
| It's also important to note that there are as | | | | including patterns, sparring, self-defense |
| many interpretations of the martial arts | | | | and a break test. Taekwondo is primarily a |
| styles as there are instructors. Students | | | | kicking art and there is a large emphasis on |
| also interpret the class differently than | | | | sport. People who train Taekwondo need to |
| other students in the same class, so other | | | | combine philosophy, mental and physical |
| people's opinions are not always the best | | | | discipline and ability to their training. |
| determiner of what style you should pursue. | | | | |
| While you are trying to find the martial art | | | | Features |
| 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 ancient | | | | oriented. |
| 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 the | | | | compete in many tournaments. |
| late 1700s. There was a weapon ban in | | | | |
| Okinawa at this time, so people had to come | | | | T'AI CHI |
| up with system of self defense that used | | | | |
| empty hands - they combined aspects of | | | | History |
| Chinese martial arts with the Te traditional | | | | |
| to Okinawa. By the early 1900s it began | | | | The 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 formed | | | | San-feng, but Wang Chung-yueh and Chiang Fa |
| as a means to create some continuity for | | | | elaborated on the original art. They took |
| Karate world-wide. Even so, there are many | | | | San-feng's 13 postures and devised continuous |
| different styles and variations of Karate | | | | sequences that linked them together. T'ai |
| today. | | | | Chi used to be a greatly defensive art - even |
| | | | deadly. So much so, that the families who |
| Techniques | | | | knew 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 a | | | | more figurative enemies such as stress and |
| wide variety of movements: kicks, punches, | | | | fatigue. |
| blocks, strikes, evasions and throws. | | | | |
| Training focuses on having a strong offense | | | | Techniques |
| 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 |
| Features | | | | used to unify the mind, body and spirit. It |
| | | | is often now used to guide negative energy |
| - People who practice Karate use their hips | | | | away 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 from | | | | less 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 straight | | | | used to protect half of the body and the |
| line, is very disciplined and some | | | | hands 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 art | | | | what 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 ("the | | | | are 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 physical | | | | meet force and stick with it until can be |
| domination. The art of Aikido is ruled by | | | | redirected 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 |
| Techniques | | | | this martial art to be boring and slow. |
| | | | |
| Aikido is a circular martial art. Instead of | | | | KUNG FU |
| winning a fight with physical domination, | | | | |
| Aikido teaches its participants to control | | | | History |
| and redirect the negative energy. This leads | | | | |
| to a commitment to both peaceful resolutions | | | | Kung Fu (translated as "skill and effort") |
| of conflict as well as self-improvement | | | | actually refers to over 200 styles of martial |
| through training. People who practice Aikido | | | | arts (most of which stem from Chinese martial |
| learn to use throws and pins as well as how | | | | arts). Kung fu can be traced back to the |
| to immobilize their attackers. They don't use | | | | shoalin 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 stay | | | | a method of self defense. During the early |
| out of the line of attack and gain control of | | | | 1900s, Kung Fu, also called Wu Shu, spread |
| the attacker's balance in order to stop the | | | | throughout China when fighting arts became |
| attacker. | | | | very popular. In the 1960s and '70s Kung |
| | | | Fu's popularity grew due to the Bruce Lee |
| Features | | | | movies. |
| | | | |
| - Aikido does use weapons: jo (a 4-5 foot | | | | Techniques |
| 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 of | | | | artistic 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 strictly | | | | circular 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 strikes | | | | common 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 |
| JUDO | | | | requires (as well as builds) mental strength |
| | | | in addition to physical strength to be |
| History | | | | successfully practiced. Kung Fu students |
| | | | also often practice some techniques |
| Dr. Jigro Kano developed Judo after he was | | | | individually and others with groups. In many |
| enrolled at Tenjin Shinyo ryo School of | | | | schools, beginning training starts with what |
| Ju-Jitsu because he was frustrated with all | | | | is called the Southern Fist style. It |
| of the student injuries. Judo is a gentle | | | | involves footwork, kicks and hand combat |
| martial art that helps its participants | | | | techniques. |
| strive to perfect themselves and to be a | | | | |
| value to society. Judo, which means "the | | | | Features |
| 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 training | | | | fighting, weapon fighting, routines and |
| focuses on safety - participants need to work | | | | combats. |
| 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 that | | | | such as, proper diet, and breathing, |
| consist of throwing and sparring - there are | | | | concentration and meditation exercises. |
| no strikes in competitive Judo. | | | | |
| | | | - Some Kung Fu styles use weapons while |
| Features | | | | others 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, it | | | | I 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 |
| TAEKWONDO | | | | book to do that. If you have any questions |
| | | | about which style would be best for you, |
| History | | | | please feel free to call or email me. |
| | | | |