Styles and Systems of Martial Arts

Students at an advanced level can take advantage of a thorough knowledge of how the body works to dramatically increase the effectiveness of techniques used against an opponent.

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. For example, routines called “forms,” or kata, poomse, ch'uan t'ao, kuen, tao lu, hyung, and tuls, are memorized through practice until the student can draw upon them at will. Unlike street fighting in which strong, uncontrolled emotion generally rules the fighters, martial arts fighting requires objectivity and self-control. Traditional techniques emphasize the application of force through controlled action and mindfulness. Boxing, fencing, archery, and wrestling could be described as types of martial arts.

A system of martial arts may focus on kicking (e.g., kickboxing, taekwondo, Savate, Capoeira, and Lethwei); striking (boxing, karate, Southern Praying Mantis, Wing Chun, Krav Maga, and Bando); or grappling with an opponent (e.g., wrestling, jujutsu, judo, Sambo, Naban, and Aikido). Some schools (e.g., Iaido, Naginata-do, Bojutsu, Kendo, fencing, Kali, Gatka, Banshay, and Ninjitsu) teach the use of traditional weapons, such as bows, long poles, or swords. Most schools of the martial arts include the study of other styles, and some, such as Eskrima, many types of jujutsu, and many traditional Chinese schools, seek to be a complete system.

Some schools of the martial arts, especially of the Chinese tradition, teach bone setting, qi gong, acupuncture, acupressure (tui na), and other disciplines of Chinese medicine. Students at an advanced level can take advantage of a thorough knowledge of how the body works to dramatically increase the effectiveness of techniques used against an opponent.


 

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