Martial Arts
 Training in any type of Martial art is a great way to achieve a higher level of fitness, state of mind, and also a definite solution in helping relieve stress.
There are many different styles of martial arts to choose from, practitioners study a particular style for various reasons including combat skills, fitness, self-defense, sport, self-cultivation (meditation), mental discipline, character development and building self-confidence.
Worldwide, there is a great diversity and abundance of martial arts. Broadly speaking, martial arts share a common goal: to defeat a person physically or to defend oneself from physical threat. There is also a deep sense of spirituality within some martial arts. Each style has different facets that make them unique from other martial arts.
 Many martial arts, especially those from Asia, also teach side disciplines which pertain to medicinal practices. This is particularly prevalent in traditional Chinese martial arts which may teach bone-setting, qigong, acupuncture, acupressure (tui na), and other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine. Martial arts from places like India and Southeast Asia also teach side disciplines ayurveda and yoga.
The martial arts, though commonly associated with East Asian cultures, are by no means unique to this region. For example, Native Americans have a tradition of open-handed martial arts that includes wrestling. Hawaiians also have historically practiced arts featuring small and large joint manipulation. Savate is a French kicking style developed by sailors and street fighters. Capoeira's athletic movements were created in Brazil by slaves based on skills brought with them from Africa.
Many martial arts also strive to teach moral values and provide guidance for children who join the ranks of those learning the art. Many arts require those who achieve black belt or the equivalent to take an oath restricting the use of their knowledge. Martial artists may also receive specific instruction in mental and emotional discipline.
A common characteristic of martial arts is the systemization of fighting techniques. One common method of training, particularly in the Asian martial arts, is the form or kata (other names may be used in specific styles). This is a set routine of techniques performed alone, or sometimes with a partner.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Martial arts".
Martial Arts Styles
Please email us if you are familiar with any other type of martial art not listed here.
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Aikido - which translates to "The Art of Peace" is a martial art developed in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969,) whom generally is referred to as O'Sensei, or "Great Master." The Purpose of Aikido is not to inflict damage to your enemy with crushing blows, but to redirect the energy of the attackers force
Adithada - An ancient martial that originates from the Tamil Nadu region of South India. Adithada is very similar to kickboxing or Muay Thai. Practitioners develop skills in grappling, striking, and pressure points. Adithada fighters are trained to deliver viscious attacks using bare knuckles, feet, knees, elbows, and forehead. "Adi" stands for hitting and "thada" means block.
Bando - Bando, also known as Buremese Silat, is a comprehensive Burmese martial art system native to Myanmar(formerly Burma). Bando is a style of unarmed combat but it is not uncommon to see the use of weaponry like swords, knives, spears, and sticks.The basic system for Bando is to initiate withdrawal from your opponent followed by an attack outside the opponents reach.Burmese boxing, also known as lethwei, is a brutal combat sport very similar to the deadly martial art of Muay Thai.
Boxing - Boxing is a sport in which two participants similar in weight, go at it toe to toe for a series of rounds inflicting damage to eachother with only their fists.
Capoeira - Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art initially developed in the 1500's by African slaves. Capoeira displays martial arts skill, strong acrobatic techniques, and dance followed by the beat of a brazilian berimbau.
Chow Gar - Chow Gar is a praying mantis kung fu system which is known for its close in attacks and its inch force power. One must be dedicated and go through intense training in traditional mantis methods to develop the inch force power ability. "Gen" (shock) is an explosive power that comes from within. "Gen" is used to deliver the inch force power through your opponent.
Choy Li Fut - Choy Li Fut Kung Fu is a Chinese Shaolin martial art that is derived mainly from Southern styles of Kung Fu but contains some Northern style techniques.
Goju Ryu - Goju Ryu is one of the primary styles of Okinawa Karate. It was developed by a famous Japanese Martial Artist Chojun Miyagi who was influenced by his early sensei a Naha-te Master.
Hapkido - Hapkido is a Korean martial art that was developed and popularized by two men, Choi Yong Sul and Ji Han Jae. Credit for the founding of Hapkido is attributed to Choi since Ji Han Jae was only his student. Ji though, is mainly responsible for spreading the seeds of this martial art.
Hsing - Hsing, also called Xing Yi Quan, is one of three main Chinese Martial Arts, the other two being Tai Chi and BaGua. Hsing is an aggressive martial art which focuses on linear movements and explosive attack power.
Hung Gar - Hung Gar is a one of the Southern Chinese styles of Kung Fu which was named by a Hung Hei Gun. It has become more widespread and popular than any of the other forms of Kung Fu. Hung Gar style is based on the movements of the tiger and crane. This style was named after Hung Hei Gun, who is clamed to have been a descendant of Luk Ah Choi, a man who was classmates
Hwarangdo - A Korean martial art that was developed by Dr. Joo Bang Lee and his brother Joo Sang Lee. Hwarando consists of over 4000 combat techniques, as well as 108 weapons, which makes it a very extensive style of fighting.
Jeet Kune Do - Jeet Kune Do meaning "way of intercepting the fist" is a martial arts system developed in 1967 by the martial arts legend, Bruce Lee. Jeet Kune Do is a freestyle type of martial art. Bruce Lee did not want his style to be set by certain rules or styles. One of his theories for Jeet Kune Do is that a fighter should do whatever is necessary to defend himself. Lee also stated that this style would allow him to "flow" and not be stuck in stances, which would make him a more lethal fighter.
Judo - Judo is a martial art that does not use any form of punching or kicking. Instead, Judo makes use of throws, joint locks, chokes, sweeps, and submission techniques.
Jujitsu - Jujitsu, also called Jujutsu, is an ancient Japanese martial art that utilizes various striking and grappling techniques to defend yourself against an opponent.
Jojutsu - Jojutsu is the Japanese art of the short staff which is usually about 4 feet in length. This style includes striking, poking, blocking, parrying, deflecting, intercepting, and sweeping. This martial art style was founded by Muso Gonnosuke in the early 1600's
Kali Escrima Arnis - Kali, Escrima, and Arnis are the native terms for the combat arts of the Philippines. The terms go as follows: Kali for the south Mindanao, Escrima is Central Manila, and Arnis is from the North Luzon area. Kali contains 12 areas of combat, Escrima contains 8 or 9, and Arnis contains 4-6. Kali employs many techniques including strikes, stances, and weapon handling. Weapon training is commonly done with rattan sticks (bamboo sticks) along with bladed weapons such as swords and knives.
Karate - Karate is a name used for a group martial arts developed in Okinawa, Japan. This style is characterized by sudden quick movements and its linear nature. Significant style of Karate include Shotokan, Shorin Ryu, and Goju Ryu among others.
Kempo - Kempo or Kenpo is a martial art developed from a combination of Chinese and Japanese martial arts. The Chinese main influences being Karate with Shaolin, and from the Japanese side, Aikido and Jujutso, as well as other styles. Karate was used to train beginners the basic techniques of the style. The reason being that if one began training Kung Fu, it would take about 10 to 15 years to master. This way, students training in Kempo could achieve black belt status in about 3-5 years. Kempo is a unique art form that develops coordination, personal responsibility, skill, improves health, and spiritual growth. Kempo is a comprehensive martial arts system that teaches unarmed self defense as well as armed.
Kendo - Kendo is a Japanese martial art very similar to fencing. In Japanese, Kendo stands for "way of the sword," which was developed from tradition techniques of Japanese swordsmanship.
Krabi Krabong - A deadly martial art that incorporates traditional weapons from Thailand. This style focuses on hand held weapons as well as empty hand striking techniques. In, Thailand, Krabi Krabong is taught to the King's elite bodyguards and still maintains the ways of the 400 year old tradition handed down from Ayotthaya Wat Pottaiswan.
Krav Maga - Krav Maga is the official martial art of the Isreali Defense Force. It was developed in 1948 by Imirich (Imi) Lichtenfeld in the newly refounded nation of Isreal. Krav Maga simply means, contact fight or touch of the fighter.
Kyokushinkai - Kyokushin is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Masutatsu Oyama who was born under the name Choi Yeong-Eui. Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth." A very practical method of self defense, Kyokushin is deep rooted in the philosophies of self-improvement, discipline and hard training. Its full contact style has had international appeal emphasizing realistic combat, physical toughness, and practicality in its training curriculum.
Mixed Martial Arts - MMA (mixed martial arts) is a combat sport where two fighters beat the snot out of eachother by utilizing different styles of stand up fighting skills and grappling techniques.
Muay Thai - Muay Thai is a traditional art of fighting in Thailand. It's a martial art heavily used by the military and is known as one of the most brutal fighting styles in the world.
Naginata - Naginata is a pole-like weapon that was used in Japan by those of the Samurai Class. The martial art of wielding the naginata is called Naginata-Jutsu.
Ninjitsu - A martial art that was developed in remote mountainess areas of Japan. The ninja practitioners used their ways to defend against the Samurai landlords who rose to power about 1000 years ago. The art was designed for Japanese spies and assassins. Ninjitsu involves training in disguise, escape, archery, explosives, poison, concealment, and medicine.
Sambo - Sambo is a Russian grappling martial art that was developed in the former Soviet Union. Sambo, Judo, Greco-Roman Wrestling, and Freestyle Wrestling are the four main forms of amateur competetive wrestling practiced internationally.
San Shou - San Shou, also known as Sanda, translates to "unbound hand." San Shou is a martial art which was originally developed by the Chinese military based upon intense study of various traditional methods and combined with modern advancements training methodology.
Savate - Savate, also known as French Kickboxing, is a Frech martial art that utilizes elements of western boxing and lethal kicking techniques.
Shoot Boxing - Shoot boxing was developed in the wake of kickboxing's peak of popularity in Japan, around 1981. Drawing inspiration from several forms of martial arts, and directly derived from a martial art known as Shooto, shoot boxing was created in August 1985 by former kickboxer Caesar Takeshi. Many mixed martial artists practice shoot boxing today such as Ken Shamrock. The first shoot boxing event took place on September 1, 1985
Shotokan - Shotokan-ryu is a school of karate, developed from various martial arts by master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) and his son Yoshitaka (1906-1945). Funakoshi was the man who 'officially' brought karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan, although Kenwa Mabuni, Motobu Choki and other Okinawans were actively teaching karate in Japan prior to this point.
Shuai-Chiao - Shuai-chiao is the modern Chinese term for wrestling. In a Western context, the term refers specifically to Chinese and Mongolian styles of wrestling. These styles have a long history and have undergone several changes in both name and form. Ancient Shuai jiao is claimed to be the progenitor of Sumo
Silat - Silat, Pensak, or Pensak Silat is an Indonesian Malaysian martial art, which dates from about the 4th century. The term Pensak Silat was first used in 1998 with the unification of many schools under one association. It is a close-in fighting style with many hand, foot, and elbow strikes.
Tang Soo Do - Tang Soo Do is a relatively modern Korean martial art which combines multiple styles; Soo Bahk Do (Korean), Tae Kyun (Korean), Tang method (Northern Chinese), and Southern Chinese.
Tae Kwon Do - Tae Kwon Do is a modern martial art from Korea that is known for its fast, powerful, kicking techniques.
Tong Bei - A Chinese martial art that was originally named, Baiyuan Tongbei Quan, but later shortened to Tong Bei. The story behind this style dates back to about 500 B.C to an old man named Yuan Gong, who had white hair, a white beard, and wore a white outfit. Translated as "fist of spreading power from back," also often called white apes because the practitioner mimics the movement of an ape.
Val Tudo - Val Tudo is Portegues for "Anything Goes" and is used to describe the no holds barred fighting competitions held in Brazil and other south American countries. Hand strikes, kicks, throws, and grappling are all a part of this style of fighting.
Varma Kalai - An ancient Indian martial art which stands for "the art of vital point." It first began as a healing art from the "Tamil Science of Medicine," and then later turned into a combative martial art. The mentality is to use as little violence as possible. Therefore, attacks are directed at a targets vital pressure points which will immobilze the attcker without inflicting any permanent damage.
Wushu - Wushu is an art form with rich content that has remained untarnished over the centuries. It is an important component of the cultural heritage of China and reigns as the most popular national sport in the country. Wushu's emphasis on combat strikes has shifted to an artistic performance. Many people practice wushu to achieve health, develop self defense skills, gain mental discipline, for recreation, and competition.
Wing Chun - Wing Chun is a Chinese martial art that stresses the technique of short range combat. Wing Chun style is based on human biomechanics rather than animal movements, using primarily straight line, fast, direct strikes and sophisticated simultanous blocking
Yuan Yang - Yuan Yang is referred to as Mandarin Duck Fist, a martial art rarely seen outside of China. The kicking methods it employs were reputed to be very effective.
Zanshindo - Meaning "the mind with no remainder" is a mixed martial art style developed by Will McCullogh in 1997. It is a fighting style that incorporates the most realistic and effective training methods of several different martial arts. Some of the different technique styles learned in this art are derived from: Muay Thai, Aikido, Wrestling, Sambo, and Shuai Chiao.
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