Forms of Martial Arts

Generally, the martial arts mean self-defense techniques originated in Asian countries. Some martial arts stress using the feet to attack the opponents, while others concentrate on the use of the hands to render the opponents. Mental discipline and the search for enlightenment are also the focus of martial arts.

Some popular forms of martial arts are Tae Kwan Do, Judo, Kung Fu, Aikido, and Karate. Each has its own discipline. Through regular practice of moves, punches and kick of the martial arts, the players develop their mental discipline, strength and grace.

Tae Kwan Do is modern martial arts originated in Korea that is characterized by fast, high and spinning kicks. Though primarily an art where strikes with the foot are the focus, Tae Kwon Do also teaches the use of one's hands to strike an opponent or to block an opponent's kicks or punches. This Korean-born art stresses flexibility and mental discipline.

Judo means "the gentle way" in Japanese. Of course, it is derived in part from jujitsu, a Japanese martial art originally developed to complement the weaponry fighting of the Samurais. With the spread of Judo's popularity, it became an Olympic sport in 1964. It has continued to increase in popularity as a competitive sport, though some claim it has done so at the expense of the intellectual and spiritual elements of the art itself.

Kung Fu is another time-honored and popular form of martial arts. The teachings of Kung Fu are based on the movements of five animals: the dragon, the tiger, the snake, the leopard, and the crane. Grace, strength, and mental discipline are the goal of any student of Kung Fu.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba , as a martial art, Aikido stresses throws and joint locks. Its focus is not on using punches or kicks to defeat an opponent, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of the opponent or to toss the opponent aside.

The root of Karate can be traced to the 5th century BC, and as such it carries a great deal of mystery with it. Karate developed primarily as a form of fist combat, and the teaching of Karate instructors still focus on using the hand as a weapon. Today, Karate is still taught at martial arts academies through the world.

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