Martial Arts for Fitness, Health and Self Defence
- Martial Arts for Fitness, Health and Self Defence
- Overview
- History
- Martial arts in Asia
- Early history
- Modern history
- Martial Arts Around The World
- Martial arts in Europe
- Martial arts in the Americas
- Martial arts Internationally
- Martial arts on the modern battlefield
- Testing and competition
- Light and medium-contact sparring
- Full-contact fighting
- Martial Arts as Sport and Recreation
- Martial arts as sport
- Martial arts and dance
- Notable styles of martial arts
- Related Articles
Overview
Worldwide there is a great diversity of martial arts. Broadly speaking, martial arts share a common goal: to defeat a person physically or to defend oneself from physical threat. Within most martial arts there is a deep sense of spirituality. Every style has a different "feeling" that helps embody the martial art.
A common characteristic of martial arts is the systemization of fighting techniques. One common traditional method of training, particularly in the East Asian martial arts, is the form or kata (also called poomse, ch'ůan t'ao, kuen, tao lu, hyung, or tuls). This is a set routine of techniques performed alone, or sometimes with a partner.
Martial arts may focus on one or more of these areas:
- Striking (e.g. Boxing, Karate, Wing Chun, Krav Maga, Bando,Kapap,)
- Kicking, (e.g. Taekwondo, Savate, Capoeira, Lethwei, Tantui)
- Grappling and throwing (e.g. Wrestling, Shuai Jiao, Jujutsu, Judo,
Pehlwani, Sambo, Naban, Aikido, Qin na, Kampfringen, Hapkido), or
- Weaponry (e.g. Iaido, Kobudo, Kapap, Naginata-do, Kendo, Fencing,
Eskrima, Gatka, Banshay, Fechtkunst).
Some martial arts, particularly the traditional Chinese martial arts, also teach side disciplines such as bone-setting, Qigong, acupuncture, acupressure (Tui na), and other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Indian martial arts also teach aspects of traditional Indian medicine as side disciplines.
The martial arts, though commonly associated with East Asian cultures and people, are by no means unique to this region. For example, Native Americans and Hawaiians have a tradition of open handed martial arts that includes wrestling and the Hawaiians also have a tradition of small and large joint manipulation. In addition, the Hawaiians have been influenced by Polynesian weapons traditions which include Poi Balls and Fire Knife Dancing. Various Indian martial arts, such as Mallayuddha, Kuttu Varisai, Varma Kalai, Kalari Payattu and Adithada, were developed in ancient India. Savate was developed from Chausson and English boxing. Capoeira's athletic movements were developed in Brazil by slaves based on skills brought with them from Africa. English boxing was developed from bare-knuckle boxing.
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 their use of their knowledge. Martial artists are also trained in mental and emotional discipline.
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