The term martial arts
can be defined as any form of organized armed or unarmed combat
that increases your ability to defend yourself when needed. This would
include Traditional Martial Art -
Tang Soo Do, Wing Chun, or Goju-Ryu
and Hybrid Martial Art - Jeet Kune Do, Chip Koon Do, or Modern Combat
such as Krav Maga. Martial Arts is a continuing process rather than one
that gets completed in a lifetime.
Martial Arts include Western
Boxing, Kickboxing, Combat Sambo Wing Chun, Capoeira, Savate, Taekwondo,
Muay Thai, Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu, Free Style Wrestling, Judo, Juijitsu,
Glima, Aikdo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Hapkid.
Martial arts have crossed over
into modern sports. Here sparring is a competitive sport not directly
related to its origins.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship in the US had very few rules. This
allowed all martial arts styles to be admitted. It is now known as
"mixed martial arts" (MMA).
Kung
fu is, with karate, the best known of all the martial arts. Kung fu uses
kicks, throws, dodges, holds, leaps, handsprings and somersaults.
Jujitsu is more about controlling an attack. The popular wrestling form
of Jujitsu turns that attack to your own advantage employing throwing
and grappling.
Aikido
is, with tai chi chuan, the gentlest martial art and is not practiced as
a competitive sport.
Tai
chi chuan, more popularly referred to as tai chi, is an ancient Chinese
exercise and fighting system primarily used for its health benefits. Its
slow and graceful movements that are stylized renditions of arm and foot
blows.
Tae
kwon do is a fighting art begun in Korea It uses kicking, punching, and
evasive maneuvers.
Kendo
is a sport derived from ancient sword fighting; bamboo swords are now
used.
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