| Martial arts in Africa? Yes, Africa, not | | | | Judo is a modern type of combat martial art |
| Asia. It may seem unbelievable to some, but | | | | sport in which the most prominent feature is |
| did you know that many African martial arts | | | | its competitive element. In a Judo sparring |
| systems are actually over 50,000 years old? | | | | match the basic object is to either throw the |
| And today the applications are just as used | | | | opponent to the ground or immobilize the |
| and respected on the continent as they were | | | | opponent. |
| when they first originated. | | | | |
| | | | Ju-Jitsu: The Third Aftrican Martial Art |
| The Styles of African Martial Arts | | | | |
| | | | Ju-Jitsu is a martial art form that |
| There are four basic styles of martial arts | | | | specializes in close encounter techniques |
| that are practiced in Africa. They are: | | | | including: |
| | | | |
| * Hapkido | | | | * Joint locks |
| | | | |
| * Judo | | | | * Chokes |
| | | | |
| * Ju-Jitsu | | | | * Throws and grappling |
| | | | |
| * Tai-Chi | | | | Ju-Jitsu students typically learn traditional |
| | | | Ju-Jitsu primarily by observation and |
| Hapkido is a style of martial art that is | | | | imitation as patterned by the prearranged |
| characterized primarily by kicking without | | | | forms. The movements of Ju-Jitsu tend to |
| retraction. Hapkido is composed of three | | | | emphasize circularity and as well capitalize |
| primary skills: | | | | on an opponent's momentum and openings. |
| | | | |
| * Circular motion to countering and attacking | | | | Ju-Jitsu is known as a controversial martial |
| | | | art sport because there are some very |
| * Nonresistance when meeting force | | | | dangerous techniques, such as throwing an |
| | | | opponent from a standing position while |
| * The water principle. | | | | having an arm in a joint lock. This can |
| | | | result in the opponent sustaining serious |
| Hapkido emphasizes body and mind | | | | injuries. |
| coordination. The techniques used here are | | | | |
| applied by combining physics, geometry, | | | | Tai-Chi: The Fourth African Martial Art |
| psychology and physiology. Kicks are most | | | | |
| important to learn and are used as defense | | | | Finally there is Tai-Chi, which is another |
| against opposing kicks as hand techniques are | | | | incredibly popular style within the African |
| used to defend opposing hand strikes. | | | | martial arts. Tai-Chi is practiced with the |
| | | | aim of promoting health and longevity, with |
| The Second African Martial Art: Judo | | | | its primary focus on breathing, meditation, |
| | | | and defending oneself with out the use of |
| Judo, also known as the gentle martial art | | | | violent force. |
| form, is one of the most well recognized | | | | |
| African martial arts. It is not used to | | | | As you can see, martial arts have been |
| promote violence, but rather to be able to | | | | popular in Africa for centuries. African |
| overcome the attacker and defend either | | | | martial arts are great for anyone to learn as |
| oneself or another. | | | | a competitive sport to improve their fitness, |
| | | | health, and mental well-being. |