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