A Brief Overview of The Martial Arts

The martial arts are traditional systems of fighting and training for combat that do not require the use of guns or other modern weapons.

Tae Kwon Do - One of the most popular martial arts

An official marital arts text, called the Muye Dobo Tongji, was completed under the direction of King Chongjo in the late 18th century. This text included a description of Kwonbup, which is the empty-handed discipline that led to Subak.

The Secret Art of Pressure Point Fighting

Some forms of Chinese martial arts, called Dim Mak, train their practitioners in the use of pressure points to either kill or disable their opponents. Traditional Chinese medicine relies on the theory of energy paths called meridians that travel throughout the body.

Styles and Systems of Martial Arts

What makes the martial arts different from simple street fighting is the training students receive in techniques within the context of a highly organized tradition using teaching methods that have evolved over the centuries

The Martial Arts in History

In the Western mind the martial arts are always connected with the East Asian cultures, due in large part to half a century of movies starring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. In truth they are not unique to any one group of cultures, however.

Weapons of the martial arts

The Dao - Martial art single edged sword

The doa is a single-edged Chinese sword used for chopping and slashing. It is thought that this weapon, which is sometimes called a dan dao, has its origins in ordinary Chinese kitchen knives.

The Samurai Sword: Techniques and Cutting Patterns

The flexible katana also has the ability to be used single handed. The art of testing swords, called Tameshigiri, utilizes multiple types of materials to both determine the swords sharpness and practice various techniques.

The fighting arts in different countries
Information about some of the different fighting arts across the globe.

The Martial Arts in Asia

Martial arts instruction in Asia has followed the Confucian cultural tradition of teacher-disciple apprenticeship within a family-based hierarchy.

The Martial Arts in Europe

In Europe the only types of martial arts with historical roots that have endured are boxing and forms of wrestling.

The Martial Arts in North America

The martial arts of the Native American peoples have largely been lost, like much of their culture, but the European immigrants, and later the Asians, brought their own martial arts, such as boxing, fencing, and wrestling, with them.

The Martial Arts Internationally

All over the world, every village, people, and tribe have had a few warriors who passed on their knowledge of native martial arts to the young

Comparisons between Martial Arts Systems

Comparing the goals, teaching methods, and techniques of different fighting systems can help us understand their similarities and differences, but comparisons are often controversial when there are no one-to-one correspondences between systems.

Classification of the Martial Arts

Many different criteria have been developed to classify different fighting systems, but most of them are controversial or inadequate.

Technical Aspects of the Martial Arts

It took many years of discipline to master the techniques of unarmed fighting and fighting with weapons, and training was honed by close-quarters combat that resulted in real fatalities.

Martial Arts & Fighting

Testing and Competition

Students in the martial arts often undergo periodic evaluation by their teacher before advancing to the next level of training.

Forms, or “Kata”

In the Japanese martial arts, forms known as kata refer to the performance and interpretation of both traditional and new routines.

Sparring: Light and Medium Contact

Light- to medium-contact sparring competitions are held in marked-off areas where participants are protected from injury by foam padding.

Full-Contact Fighting

Full-contact fighting appeals to participants who want to engage in realistic combat with an opponent. Competitions tend to be more aggressive and may have few rules or almost no rules except the imperative to physically defeat the opponent.

Martial Arts as Sport

Expert practitioners vary widely in their opinion of using the martial arts in sports competitions. Many practioners of tae kwon do, Muay Thai, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu train for sports matches, while practitioners of Aikido and Krav Maga usually don't.

The Martial Arts and Self-Defense

To attract students, most martial arts schools in the U.S. teach self-defense methods. They make many claims about the usefulness of martial arts techniques in defending oneself against attack.

Meet Jeff Willingham - mixed martial arts fighter

Jeff is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt under Reylson Gracie black belt Ken Gabrielson, currently training with Professor Pedro Sauer who has given him two stripes,

Different Martial Arts Styles

The Martial Arts Ranking System

Within each style of martial art the color of your belt identifies your rank.

History of Ninjutsu

There is a secret and shrouded history to the martial art known as Ninjutsu.

Muay Thai Boxing

Created and tested in the battlefields of ancient Thailand Muay Thai Boxing, also known as Thai boxing, is an ancient art of self defense.

Muay Thai part 2

There is almost nothing that can compare to the excitement of watching Muay Thai boxing executed live in front of a roaring crowd.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the United States

Royce Gracie in the Ultimate Fighting Championship is credited with making Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu famous in the United States, even though it has been around for quite some time.

Which Martial Arts Style is Right for You?

There are many different styles of martial art that should be researched by someone looking to study.

The Martial Arts and Self Defense

Martial arts are usually the first thing people think of when they get serious about learning self defense and becoming a better person.
The 5 Animals of Kung Fu

Shootfighting

Shootfighting is one of the most popular and provocative martial arts styles around the world.

Judo for Beginners

There are a lot of different words that can be accurately used to describe Judo, including fun sport, self defense, activity, art, discipline, and entire way of life.

Tae Kwon Do Belt System

The colored belts used in Taekwondo ranking each have a special meaning that instructs students as to their increasing knowledge in the sport.

Strikes and Kicks in Kempo

One of the best known styles of martial art worldwide is Kempo, which is most known for its fast strikes.

The UFC and the Martial Arts

Martial arts have indeed come a long way since the days of Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do.

Brief History of Kung Fu

Kung Fu is many things, including a form of self defense, a form of exercise, and an exchange of culture.
Wing Chun Kung Fu
The obscure martial art of Wing Chun remained basically unknown until the turn of the twentieth century.

The Japanese Art of Aikido

One of the most popular martial arts in the United States today is Aikido.

Capoeira: A Martial Art of Brazil

The African slaves of Brazil created this martial art over 400 years ago.

The Chinese Martial Arts

Chinese martial arts are recognized and respected around the world.

Sparring in today's self defense arts

All martial arts use sparring, as do other sports such as boxing and wrestling.

The Techniques of Hapkido

Those who study Hapkido learn the confidence and skills they need in order to protect themselves and their loved ones in almost any situation.

Everyone can do Tai Chi

The ancient martial art of Tai Chi has been practiced in China for centuries to improve both the body and the mind.

TaeKwonDo for Beginners

The fast and high spin kicks are probably some of the best known elements of Tae Kwon Do.

Kung Fu Styles

Kung Fu is an old and powerful martial art.

Muay Thai Striking Techniques

The hands, feet, elbows, and knees are used to strike opponents in the majority of Muay Thai striking techniques.