How to Choose a Martial Art
Once you have decided that you want to start training in a martial art, you will need to decide which one is best for you. Of course, your choice might be dictated by the schools available in your area, but if you are lucky, you will have the choice of at least a few different types. There are many different types of martial arts (and even variations within the basic types) so it is important to make sure that you research the techniques and features to find the best fit for your lifestyle and needs. This general explanation of the six most popular styles in the United States can help you get started on the decision.
It is also important to note that there are as many interpretations of the martial arts styles as there are instructors. Students also interpret the class differently than other students in the same class, so other people’s opinions are not always the best determiner of what style you should pursue. While you are trying to find the martial art that is right for you, it is helpful to also try a few classes to get a feel for the style, instructor, and school.
KARATE
History
Karate can be translated as “empty hand” which means that it is a martial art performed without weapons.
While the history of Karate is somewhat vague, its ancient roots have been traced back to China in the 5th century B.C. The more modern form of Karate began in Okinawa, Japan during the late 1700s.
There was a weapon ban in Okinawa at this time, so people had to produce a system of self-defense that used empty hands – they combined aspects of Chinese martial arts with the Te traditional to Okinawa. By the early 1900s, it began spreading throughout Japan. In 1964, the Federation of Karate Organizations was formed as a means to create some continuity for Karate worldwide. Even so, there are many different styles and variations of Karate today.
Techniques
Karate is a linear martial art. It uses a wide variety of movements: kicks, punches, blocks, strikes, evasions, and throws.
Training focuses on having a strong offense and puts equal importance on the three areas of the art: basics, sparring, and forms.
Features
• People who practice Karate use their hips to generate power.
• Ranks, values, and styles differ from organization to organization.
• Karate, which can be a hard and straight line, is very disciplined and some traditional schools might seem very harsh.
AIKIDO
History
Using the influences of the traditional art of Daito Ryo Aikijo-Jitsu, Japanese fencing, spear fighting, and Omotokyo, Moriehie Ueshiba developed the martial art of Aikido (“the peaceful art”). He first used this name for it in 1942. The basis of this art is to live in a spirit of protection instead of physical domination.
The art of Aikido is ruled by the International Aikido Federation in Tokyo, Japan.
Techniques
Aikido is a circular martial art. Instead of winning a fight with physical domination, Aikido teaches its participants to control and redirect the negative energy. This leads to a commitment to both peaceful resolutions of conflict as well as self-improvement through training. People who practice Aikido learn to use throws and pins as well as how to immobilize their attackers. They do not use punches and kicks, except as a distraction. The basis of the art is to learn how to stay out of the line of attack and gain control of the attacker’s balance to stop the attacker.
Features
• Aikido does use weapons: jo (a 4-5 foot long staff), Bokken (a wooden sword), and a Tanto (a wooden knife).
• Aikido is a non-violent method of self-defense.
• The quality of the belt ranks is strictly regulated.
• Aikido lacks many of the kicks and strikes common to other martial arts.
JUDO
History
Dr. Jigro Kano developed Judo after he was enrolled at Tenjin Shinyo ryo School of Ju-Jitsu because he was frustrated with all of the student injuries. Judo is a gentle martial art that helps its participants strive to perfect themselves and to be of value to society. Judo, which means “the gentle way,” improves physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Techniques
Judo uses throwing, grappling, pins, holds, locks, and choking. However, the training focuses on safety – participants need to work towards top conditioning and Judo is always practiced on mats. Judo participants learn the art through a series of forms that consist of throwing and sparring – there are no strikes in competitive Judo.
Features
• Judo has a strict set of rules and a clear instructional sequence.
• Judo rules, training, and ranks are fairly standardized throughout the world.
• Judo helps develop complete body control, fine balance, and fast reflexes.
• Judo uses a lot of grappling, throws, grabbing, and groundwork. Because of this, it often reminds people of wrestling.
TAEKWONDO
History
While the beginnings of Taekwondo can be traced as far back as 30 B.C., modern Taekwondo began after Korea was liberated in 1945. Koreans wanted to eradicate all Japanese influence on martial arts, so they began connecting the Korean martial arts schools and styles to create a national sport.
The name Taekwondo (“the way of the hand and foot”) was chosen in 1965. 1973 marks the beginning of the World Taekwondo Federation. It became a part of the Olympics in 2000.
Techniques
Taekwondo consists of four disciplines including patterns, sparring, self-defense, and a break test.
Taekwondo is primarily a kicking art and there is a large emphasis on sport. People who train in Taekwondo need to combine philosophy, mental and physical discipline, and ability in their training.
Features
• Taekwondo is recognizable by its high kicks.
• Taekwondo black belts exams require a break test.
• Taekwondo training can include the use of vital points to attack an enemy.
• Taekwondo schools are often kid and sport-oriented.
• Taekwondo students often are expected to compete in many tournaments.
T’AI CHI
History
The development of T’ai Chi (translated as “the supreme ultimate”) is credited to Chang San-Feng, but Wang Chung-Yueh and Chiang Fa elaborated on the original art. They took San-Feng's 13 postures and devised continuous sequences that linked them together. T’ai Chi used to be a greatly defensive art – even deadly. So much so, that the families who knew it guarded it fiercely. Now, T’ai Chi is less violent and is used to get rid of more figurative enemies such as stress and fatigue.
Techniques
People who practice T’ai Chi may use weapons, but the underlying theory is that the art is used to unify the mind, body, and spirit. It is often now used to guide negative energy away from oneself. There are two ways to practice T’ai Chi. The long-form can take 30 minutes or more while the short form can take less than 10 minutes. The forms focus on continuous movement that leads to relaxation and solid stances. In T’ai Chi, each arm is used to protect half of the body and the hands never reach past the toes. T’ai Chi can be done alone (forms) or with a partner (self-defense training).
Features
• T’ai Chi teaches awareness of balance and what affects it in oneself and others.
• T’ai Chi has five major styles, but there are always new ones developing.
• The basis of T’ai Chi’s self-defense is to meet force and stick with it until can be redirected instead of resisting it.
• T’ai Chi focuses on slow movements, so people who like vigorous exercise often find this martial art to be boring and slow.
KUNG FU
History
Kung Fu (translated as “skill and effort”) refers to over 200 styles of martial arts (most of which stem from Chinese martial arts). Kung fu can be traced back to the Shaolin temples where the monks used it for health and spiritual development as well as a method of self-defense.
During the early 1900s, Kung Fu, also called Wu Shu, spread throughout China when fighting arts became extremely popular.
In the 1960s and ‘70s, Kung Fu’s popularity grew due to the Bruce Lee movies.
Techniques
Kung Fu is central to Chinese culture and is used both for physical wellness and artistic expressions. Within the many different styles of Kung Fu, there are variations from hard and linear to soft and circular in technique. Some use weapons (including the common sword, saber, spear, and cudgel) and others do not. The seemingly common thread through them all, however, is to teach the students to respect the teacher and other Kung Fu styles. Kung Fu also requires (as well as builds) mental strength in addition to physical strength to be successfully practiced. Kung Fu students also often practice some techniques individually and others in groups. In many schools, beginning training starts with what is called the Southern Fist style.
It involves footwork, kicks, and hand combat techniques.
Features
• Kung Fu refers to the hundreds of different styles of martial arts in China.
• People who practice Kung Fu learn many different fighting techniques including fist fighting, weapon fighting, routines, and combats.
• Many Kung Fu styles use similar principles such as proper diet, breathing, concentration, and meditation exercises.
• Some Kung Fu styles use weapons while others do not.
• Kung Fu training improves physical conditioning through the strengthening of the joints and increases speed and reactions.
• Kung Fu’s major difference over other martial arts is that it not only focuses on outer, physical power but also involves training the mind and inner power through breathing exercises and meditation.
I hope you find this information useful. I wish that I could cover all of the styles that I left out, but it would take an entire book to do that. If you have any questions about which style would be best for you, please feel free to call or email us.
