With the rise of popularity in shows and sporting events featuring mixed martials arts competitors, the martial arts, themselves have experienced a bit of a renaissance in terms of popularity. What was once thought of as an eclectic discipline has now become mainstream. Training centers offering various types of programs are popping up all over. An example is Fabin Rosa BJJ, which provides training in martial arts in Altamonte Springs.
Martial arts are a combination of traditional training practices, now turned to sports, originating from Asia (China, Japan and Korea) used for self-protection, fitness, discipline, respect, attack, development both physically and mentally and also entertainment. They do include karate, kung Fu, kendo, wrestling, boxing and judo. A martial artist therefore is a person who engages in these forms of training for the various reasons that have been discussed. The main idea behind martial arts is combining of the body, mind and spirit to operate as one entity harmoniously. Human aggression in the past inspired wrestling which was used for conflict settlement and later transformed into sport and a form of entertainment. There are different types of martial arts that have different origins:
1. Kung Fu
Kung Fu originated from China having different style depending on the institution and also the occasion. It is generally used to describe a person who has specialized in a particular type of martial art and also tied to the west to refer to the martial arts in the country of origin. It includes imitation of movement from animals like snakes, monkeys and eagles commonly inspired by the legends. It has techniques for both internal (for improving and individual’s IQ) and external (muscle) fitness. Common techniques include; Monkey, Praying Mantis, Eagle Claw and Wing Chun.
2.Judo
Judo originated from Japan. It is focused on throwing the opponent down and being determined to keep them there using submission maneuvers. Use of weapons and striking are only allowed if they are actually pre-arranged.
3. Karate
It also originated from Japan (Okinawa) that has lots of concentration on striking techniques (both knee and elbow). It focuses more on hand-striking techniques. Its traditional styles include Ryu (Wado, Shito, and Goju) and Shotokan.
4. Tae Kwon Do
It originated from Korea with training encompassing strikes, punches, takedowns and submissions which together improve balance and flexibility. It has emphasis on kicking techniques with students being exposed to forms (defined in this context as a prearranged procedure of techniques).
5.Tai Chi
Originates from China and is used for protection and also enhancement of good health among individuals. Some of the forms are famous for their slow movements thus encouraging it use for health purposes rather than defense.
6. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
It is a combination of various skills in a particular person for enhanced full contact aggression among the opponents. Striking when standing and also in the ground is allowed and has no specific rules unless the opponent is completely incapacitated.
7. Krav Maga
An Israeli wrestling style that used brutal encounters with the opponents which is aimed at incapacitating the using all the means that are available. It neither has rules nor uniforms but has a hierarchy that acknowledges the progress of individuals using badges and belts.
8. Aikido
Aikido originates from Japan and it involves assimilating the motion of the attacker rather that actually fighting them back. It is used for attackers that are stronger and hence their momentum during the encounter is used against them.
9. Muay Thai
It originates from Thailand with emphasis on using the eight points of contacts. The hands and the feet both have four contact points that are used in fighting making a total of eight contact points compared to other martial arts that use only four contact points. Most of the techniques and rules are also shared with the famous MMA.
10. Jiu Jitsu
It is also Japanese Martial art that aims at defeating an armed opponent with no weapons at all or using a relatively smaller weapon. The attacker’s energy at this instance is also used against them. The training is based on a couple areas including blocking, throwing (pivoted and non-pivoted), striking and also escape techniques.
11. Hapkido
Originally from Korea and it involves striking attacks, punching, kicking, joint locking and use of specific weapons (ropes and canes) that are allowed in the sport. It emphasizes on motions that do not resist movements but control the opponent using proper body positioning instead of a strength face-off.
The type of martial arts that individual decides to take is solely dependent on the purpose. The purposes have been discussed above and hence understanding each is important.
