Troy Macraft asked:


China, the world’s largest country by population, is widely regarded as the home of martial arts and is the birthplace of numerous diverse styles.

Modern Chinese martial arts can trace their origins to a number of sources, including ancient military skills, the Buddhist martial arts that evolved out of the Shaolin temple, the Daoist martial arts that originate from the Wudang temple in Hubei province, and a number of other techniques used by bandits, militia, secret societies, invaders, and marauding pirates throughout China’s turbulent history.

According to legend, the Indian monk Bodhidharma (known as “Da Mo” in China) traveled from southern India to China in the 6th century CE carrying sutras (collections of dialogs and discourses). He then settled in the Shaolin temple in Song Shan, and introduced martial exercises and Zen Buddhism to China. However, there is evidence to suggest that the practice of martial arts in the country dates back to well before that time.

A longer history

Although Bodhidharma may well have been one of the first to record martial-art techniques-he also introduced techniques such as meditation to existing fighting systems-experts believe that Chinese martial arts gradually developed from ancient hunting skills and from one tribe’s need to defend itself from another. These fighting forms developed slowly over the years: punches and kicks were incorporated and, in time, so was the use of weapons.

The first evidence of martial-art practice in China comes in 2698 BCE during the reign of the Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, who developed the practice of jiao di (”horn-butting”) among his soldiers. In the 5th century BCE – some 1,000 years before Bodhidharma’s arrival in Song Shan – Confucius mentions martial arts in his texts; Daoist literature from the 4th century BCE contains principles applicable to martial arts; and there is evidence to suggest that physical exercises similar to taijiquan have been practiced in the region since at least 500 BCE. In contrast, the earliest textual evidence of Shaolin martial arts comes in 728 CE.

Putting soldiers to the test

The development of martial arts in China is indelibly linked to the military. The first military martial-arts tests were established in 702 CE. These challenged a soldier’s physical strength, horsemanship, and skills with a lance, spear, and bow and arrow. Such a premium was placed on them that regular soldiers were categorized according to their ability and courage in hand-to-hand combat and weapons skills, particularly their swordsmanship.

Various military generals have added their expertise to China’s martial-arts mix. Even Genghis Khan, the Mongol warrior whose armies had conquered much of South Asia- including all of China-by the 13th century, believed that bkyukl bokh was the best way to keep his troops ready for battle. Two styles of the art are still practiced today, one in Mongolia, the other in Inner Mongolia.

Boom in popularity

It was not until the Republican Period (1912-1949), a time when China was recovering from the fall of the Qing dynasty, the invasion by Japan, and the Chinese Civil War, that martial arts became more accessible to the general public. In a wave of national pride, the Chinese government classified all martial arts under the banner “guosho,” meaning “national art.” Martial artists were encouraged to teach, numerous training manuals were published, examinations in martial arts were created, and demonstration teams started to travel the world- the first martial-art demonstration in front of an international audience took place at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.



Louise

Paul A. Walker asked:


A lot of people nowadays are getting into the martial arts and choosing a school without even knowing which style of martial arts the school teaches. Some schools are not totally clear on what their style is as many are practicing and teaching a hybrid mix of multiple arts. Is this a problem? Should you know which style you practice? Are clearly lineated styles even important? The easy answer to all of these questions is yes and no. Unfortunately there are hidden costs involved in choosing the wrong style of martial arts.

Here’s why:

· Choosing a style based on popularity rather than something that fits your personal strengths

Just because a style is the most popular thing going doesn’t mean that it is right for you. Taekwondo has held the interest of many a young person due to its dynamic and spectacular kicks. If you are athletic and flexible then this might be the art for you but if you have bad knees and worse hamstrings, then think twice.

Not too long ago, Tae Bo was the big thing. At first glance some people thought this was a martial art, especially as the founder Billy Blanks was a former karate champion. However, some of them were disappointed to find out that Tae Bo was a new style aerobic workout using martial arts techniques that has little to no self-defense value.

More recently Mixed Martial Arts has become hugely popular and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is attracting record numbers on its Pay-Per-View events. Consequently, many young people are hoping to ride the next wave of popular martial arts. However if you want to keep your good looks, straight nose and nicely-shaped ears you might want to reconsider.

The bottom line is that you should try to find a martial art that matches your strengths and not your weaknesses.

· Picking a martial art that has conflicting values with your core beliefs

The majority of martial arts have a certain amount of traditional “baggage” that comes with them. This “baggage” can sometimes include some rather esoteric practices and mystical thinking that you may or may not be comfortable with. Most people are able to accept these practices at face value and in many cases the various martial arts schools water down some of the stranger customs and forms of etiquette in the interest of blending in with our popular culture.

Some people however feel that their own personal religious preferences and ideals are being compromised and therefore can feel more than a little uncomfortable. If this description fits you then you might want to check out your chosen style’s practices and customs before you make your final decision. This factor is usually not an issue but it doesn’t hurt to check out this aspect of your martial art before making a commitment.

· Enrolling in a martial arts school based on price rather than quality

This factor can work for you and against you. There is no regulation in the martial arts industry that defines what standards a good school should uphold. Also there are a wide range of martial artists who are full-time commercial school owners and some who are part-time hobbyists.

Most people’s perception is that the more expensive the school the better the martial art. Sometimes this is true but sometimes the local community center has a great martial artist offering a great service. Expensive schools usually offer excellent training facilities and great customer service together with well-structured programs.

Cheaper schools or classes generally offer lesser facilities and sometimes inferior instruction, but very often there are some hidden gems to be discovered. Don’t overlook these people just because of price. Conversely don’t overlook the big schools because they are “too expensive”. Make your decision based on quality and not price.

· Opening the Yellow Pages and choosing a karate school just because the ad looked good

Looks can be deceiving and just because an ad in the Yellow Pages looks good doesn’t mean that the karate school is the right one for you. It just means that they are better at marketing and design than some of the other schools listed in the same pages. Check into a few of the schools by calling them and visiting them and then make your decision. It might end up that you still go to the school with the cool ad and that’s fine, but at least you looked around a little first.

So what is the moral of the story? Do your research first, before you begin your martial arts practice! A little extra time spent up front will more than likely pay dividends later. The martial arts often turns into a lifetime endeavor. You probably won’t be too happy if you spend some significant time practicing a certain style of martial arts only to find out that there is nowhere else to go unless you change your style.

I speak from personal experience here so please listen to what I’m saying. I spent the first ten years of my martial arts practice studying a style of karate that had been invented by my instructor. I was lucky because this particular instructor was actually very good at the martial arts and had developed his style based on what he felt was the best from some of the mainstream karate styles.

Consequently, when he decided to end his study of the martial arts due to family commitments, the transition into my current style of Shotokan Karate was not too difficult due to the similarities with my first style of karate. Fortunately I have few regrets based on the life lessons I received from my first instructor. Some of you may be less fortunate and will have to change altogether.

For a comprehensive guide on how to choose the right style and the right school for you just download my FREE Report, “Karate for Newcomers: How to Find Out Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Karate Practice”. You will find it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com.

Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate.



Debra

Terry Parker asked:


Before you begin to shop for the right martial arts equipment, and before you take that first step inside of the dojo, it is important to choose a martial arts style. All martial arts styles are not created equally and the best style for one person may be the worst for someone else.

There are several main style categories to consider, ground fighting or grappling, stand up, weapons based styles, throwing styles, and low impact styles. Stand up fighting styles, including Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Boxing, Kickboxing, and related styles. These types of martial arts are the most popular, and require specific martial arts equipment, depending on the specialization. If you are just beginning your martial

Ground fighting or grappling styles focus on wrestling related combat, and include Greco Roman wrestling, Sambo, Brazilian Jujitsu, and others. Of these, Brazilian Jujitsu is the most prolific in martial arts circles, and was developed into the form known today by the Gracie family, who were also responsible for developing the vale tudo combat matches that were the precursor to today’s MMA competitions.

Throwing martial arts styles are characterized by standing positions that make use of locks, trips and other techniques with the goal of throwing an opponent off balance. Styles in this category include, but are not limited to, Akidio, Judo, Shuai Jiao, and Hapkido. Martial arts equipment required for these styles consists of specially designed gis or uniforms, which are typically heavier than those used for karate and other ground fighting styles, and floor mats.

Low impact martial arts styles include Tai Chi, Ba Gua, and Chi Gong. While these styles were originally developed for combat, today, they are primarily focused on well being, stress relief, and low impact exercise. Tai Chi in particular emphasizes consistent movement, breathing, relaxing, and fitness techniques.

Weapons based martial arts focus on the use of one or more weapons and include, Kali, Iado, and Kendo. Kendo, translated literally as the way of the sword has been practiced since 1185 AD. Martial arts equipment for kendo includes protective armor known as bogu, a shinai, or practice sword, and a bokken, or wooden sword, for serious combat.

Regardless of the martial arts style you choose, be sure to practice safely, using proper martial arts equipment and the techniques learned during your lessons. Remember that martial arts is a mental as well as a physical discipline, and that it should only be used in self defense when it is absolutely necessary. With a little patience and a lot of practice, you will be on your way to becoming a martial arts master.



Milton

D Southard asked:


Every sport has its own demand from a human body. Whether it is the hands that are involved or the feet, it is a requirement that one should use the right kind of accessories while practicing their favorite sport. Thus shoes to play soccer or basketball are different from shoes for martial arts. Since the sports are starkly different, the demands on limbs are also different. Therefore, it is not only recommended but compulsory that proper shoes for martial arts should be used while practicing the same.

The main feature of using shoes for martial arts is that they come without laces and so do not impair movement and thus are prone to fewer accidents caused by entanglement. Also, shoes specially created for martial arts are padded at the right places so that you can use the optimum force in your kicks and thus enhance your art rather than impair it. The soles are also specially designed so that you get a good grip on your feet and enable you to spin on your feet efficiently. Spinning is a part and parcel of martial arts unlike any other sport and thus using shoes for martial arts is an advantage to martial art enthusiasts. Let us check the kinds of shoes available for such enthusiasts:

The Ninjitsu Tabi Boot: This is a very special boot made for the art of practicing the Ninjitsu Tabi and does not even look like footwear. It looks more like a bedroom slipper and is a deceit in itself. It comes with tow-grips inside the boot. This boot is also used to practice Ninjitsu and its allied martial arts. This boot is improvised to enable better and efficient kicking and will give you an edge over other martial art sportsmen.

The Martial Arts KungFu Slipper: Another fine example of shoes for martial arts is the KungFu Slipper. This is a very special form of footwear and helps the practitioner to maintain body temperature during KungFu practice. These shoes also help one to remove excess calories, very useful when one is using martial arts as a fitness regimen. The KungFu Slippers are easy to clean – you could wash them with hand or just toss them into the washer. Made with simple yet strong fabric, these shoes are very comfortable and you could find many people using them as casual wear without understanding their functionality entirely, especially in Asian countries.

Shoes for martial arts are specially designed so that they take the shape of your foot during practice. Many martial arts enthusiasts are also seen practicing bare foot, but this practice could be dangerous and may result in injuries. While bare foot practice benefits better due to strength training and the natural feel, it is only advised after you reach a particular skill level. Shoes for martial arts are highly recommended for beginners and are designed to give better ergonomic comfort and safety to the ones wearing them. Wearing shoes for martial arts is highly recommended for the new and budding martial arts enthusiasts.



Jerry

Peter asked:


s a martial art?

A martial art can be defined as any skill that can be applied in warfare. The word martial means “military.” So traditionally, a martial art is a military art. The first things that usually come to mind when discussing modern martial arts are leaping, kicking, punching, blocking, inverting elbows, twisting necks, throwing, and weapon fighting. But also horsemanship, javelin throwing, archery, spear fighting, halberd fighting, wrestling, knife fighting, rifle, shotgun and pistol shooting, demolitions, logistics, and battle strategy can all be described as the field of martial arts. Anything that a soldier might do in battle is a martial art.

By martial art usually it is meant aikido, arnis, boxing, capoeria, chow gar, choy la fut, hapkido, hsing’i, hun gar, jeet kune do, jow gar, judo, jujitsu, karate, kempo, kick boxing, krav maga, kung fu, pa kua, penjak silat, praying mantis, savate, shaolin, tae kwon do, tai chi, white crane, wing chun, wu shu and more! As you can see the list is quite long and it is actually quite amazing how many martial arts systems there are and how many methods of self defense can be formulated.

Often within a martial arts school it is taught that ‘this particular system is the best system and it was created to beat all the others’. Of course every martial artist would have the viewpoint their style is the best because that is the style they have chosen to do, but in reality what they are saying is ‘this is the best style for me as it suits my temperment and I like the teaching environment’.

The changing of the arts

Throughout this history and development of the martial arts and all the combat systems of man our training tools have played a vital part in evolving and perfecting these systems and techniques.

All the martial arts have been effected by the role that mechanical devices play whether it be weapons, dojo mats, breaking boards or even the uniforms we wear – all these paraphanialia indentify the martial arts into their systems and style.

The main players in shaping our new martial arts would be the traditional wooden dummy, wing chun rings, iron palm ointments and even the system of using forms and karta have developed the martial arts into their current form.

Even today modern training tools are common and again the martial arts are under development with new training products such as the Wavemaster, the BOB training dummy, the Focus Master. All with one thing in common, to create a well rounded combat system.
Ideally a martial arts solo training tool should be workable for all and based on sound theory and through constant practice develop into sound physical application. The ideology and theory would have to take into account all the history of the combat technology of man and give this competition and street application.


The Martialarm Combat Training Partner

In a martial arts career you can occationally find your self with no school to go to or no one to train with and so out of neccessity the martialarm solo training partner was born. The Martialarm is a Martial Arts training machine used to develop the entry and trapping skills of any martial arts system. It is designed to actually test any techniques so to improve the ability to trap and control your opponents hands and arms. This can be done because the Martialarm moves and reacts like a real opponent. The Martialarm moves and twists up, down, left and right just like a real opponent would – so it can spring forward and it does strike back!.

The Martialarm Combat Training Partner was designed and developed on the following theories

Martialarm Theory

#1) Safety – You must maintain 100% safety when entering into the opponents attack range, this means to limit any variables that could occur by covering them. (Methods of entry must be sophisticated yet simple, fast as well as safe!)

#2) Attack – You must have the ability to attack at will, with no concern or hesitation. The attack should incorporate a total control of the opponents weapons. (Attacks must be structured to have within them a 100% defense!)

#3) Adaptability – Techniques, attacks and defenses must flow but not necessarily at a constant pace. Adaptability to choose what’s next is key!

Whatever martial arts you choose just be sure you do look at a few before you decide and enqire with the school what martial arts equipment they utilize to get the best from your training.

Jim

MIKE SELVON asked:


Martial arts. Just the name brings all sorts of near mystical thoughts to our minds. Thoughts about the wonderful Korean martial art of tae kwon do, the Japanese martial art of jujutsu and the Chinese martial art of kung fu.

All these martial arts have very humble beginnings. Each one came from a time when the local authorities were tyrannical and outlawed the commoners from having weapons. The farmers, however, insisted on having ways to protect themselves, regardless of weaponry. Thus, the martial arts were born.

Russia is no exception. Russia has a long history of internal conflict and invasion. It is a massive country with borders that span over 11 time zones. The Russians came to expect the unexpected when in battle and no two enemies would fight the same.

From these encounters, the Russian warriors developed into the type of fighter that reacted on instinct. They had to face the enemy as an individual and adapt to whatever the enemy threw at them. The Russian martial arts had to be as versatile as the men who practiced it.

Russia is so huge that, in the beginning, a standard army was not possible. There were too many tiny villages and towns scattered across the land, as well as too many lords and territories, that made this type of organization nearly impossible.

During times of war, men were recruited from the towns and villages to fight and, when the battle was over, they went home. During peacetime, these men would continue to train on their own. This Russian martial arts were tailor-made to fit the common man.

Systema has no prearranged kumite (choreographed two man fighting) like the martial arts of the Far East. Russian martial arts are fluid — the goal being able to fight without consciousness.

Like the many forms of Eastern martial arts, Russian martial arts started with one “ideal” and evolved into many different styles of that form across Russia, each one geared towards that locale’s specific needs. The basic principals remained consistent and provided the common thread of the Russian martial arts.

In time, the loose teachings solidified. The various towns and villages would show off their skills with friendly competitions amongst themselves. It wasn’t until 1917 — when the Communists had taken power — that all traditions, including Russian martial art, were banned.

The system went underground, rather than face severe persecution for outwardly continuing to practice. As in the Far East, some monasteries survived and were left alone by the government and the monks would continue to keep the “old ways” alive. Fathers would also teach their sons, handing down the traditions from generation to generation, hoping that it would survive.

When the new Soviet government had to focus on arming their soldiers, they sent agents to find the best fighting systems in the world. They didn’t have to search too far, the answer was right under their nose. From that point on, the Russian army began instruction in an age-old technique pulled right from the roots of their own heritage.

The martial arts have continued to grow in popularity in recent years, and the Russian martial art systema is no different. While it’s mostly used by the Russian Special Operation Units, the form spread to the Western world when several soldiers left Russia after the Cold War ended.



Maria

Madison Greene asked:


Martial arts in Africa? Yes, Africa, not Asia. It may seem unbelievable to some, but did you know that many African martial arts systems are actually over 50,000 years old? And today the applications are just as used and respected on the continent as they were when they first originated.

The Styles of African Martial Arts

There are four basic styles of martial arts that are practiced in Africa. They are:

* Hapkido

* Judo

* Ju-Jitsu

* Tai-Chi

Hapkido is a style of martial art that is characterized primarily by kicking without retraction. Hapkido is composed of three primary skills:

* Circular motion to countering and attacking

* Nonresistance when meeting force

* The water principle.

Hapkido emphasizes body and mind coordination. The techniques used here are applied by combining physics, geometry, psychology and physiology. Kicks are most important to learn and are used as defense against opposing kicks as hand techniques are used to defend opposing hand strikes.

The Second African Martial Art: Judo

Judo, also known as the gentle martial art form, is one of the most well recognized African martial arts. It is not used to promote violence, but rather to be able to overcome the attacker and defend either oneself or another.

Judo is a modern type of combat martial art sport in which the most prominent feature is its competitive element. In a Judo sparring match the basic object is to either throw the opponent to the ground or immobilize the opponent.

Ju-Jitsu: The Third Aftrican Martial Art

Ju-Jitsu is a martial art form that specializes in close encounter techniques including:

* Joint locks

* Chokes

* Throws and grappling

Ju-Jitsu students typically learn traditional Ju-Jitsu primarily by observation and imitation as patterned by the prearranged forms. The movements of Ju-Jitsu tend to emphasize circularity and as well capitalize on an opponent’s momentum and openings.

Ju-Jitsu is known as a controversial martial art sport because there are some very dangerous techniques, such as throwing an opponent from a standing position while having an arm in a joint lock. This can result in the opponent sustaining serious injuries.

Tai-Chi: The Fourth African Martial Art

Finally there is Tai-Chi, which is another incredibly popular style within the African martial arts. Tai-Chi is practiced with the aim of promoting health and longevity, with its primary focus on breathing, meditation, and defending oneself with out the use of violent force.

As you can see, martial arts have been popular in Africa for centuries. African martial arts are great for anyone to learn as a competitive sport to improve their fitness, health, and mental well-being.



Rosa

Marshall Buchholz asked:


The sales rep was well meaning, but obviously knew nothing about the martial arts business.

I was placing and order for my first ad in the yellow pages when he asked me what I’m sure he thought was a casual conversation booster. “So what are your plans?” he asked. “Open up a school, hire a couple of teachers, then expand and open up a couple more schools?”

Yeah, right. It’s all just that easy.

Ever wonder what motivates a martial arts instructor to open a school? Money? Recognition? A chance to show off your skills in front of a captive audience four nights a week? Hardly. Every good martial arts instructor—and I mean the good ones—is motivated by something much less tangible and far more valuable than money or fame. I call it the moment of “Surprise Achievement.” It’s that special experience when something you’ve been teaching clicks in a student. It’s when they “get it.”

And you can’t put a price on that.

But, like it or not, the difficulties of trying to build a prosperous martial arts school threaten every school owner’s success. Most instructors know there really isn’t much money to be gained in teaching the arts. Given the costs of maintaining a facility, a web site, creating and printing flyers and brochures, promoting or entering tournaments (including travel expenses), and buying books, DVDs, and magazines to stay up on the latest trends (not to mention sorting the genuine ones from the hoaxes), a good instructor stands to make only nominal financial profit from a martial arts school.

And then there’s the time investment. All of the above eat away at valuable time spent with family, friends, or just about any other hobby you might have thought you were going to stay active with. Or for that matter, the hobbies your own kids might have. Try balancing your teaching schedule with cheering your kids on from the bleachers at their baseball games, hosting birthday parties, taking family vacations, and attending parent-teacher conferences.

Of course, we can’t forget the expectations of your students, either. If you’re claiming to be an “expert” in some area of martial arts, you better plan to spend as much time as possible doing your own grueling workouts. After all, no one would respect a martial arts instructor who can’t demonstrate at least basic techniques with black belt proficiency!

Which can also take a toll on your body. Balanced correctly, a martial arts instructor’s own practices—including the workouts you get while teaching—should leave you in perfect physical and mental harmony with the rest of the universe. Right?

Should, but…

The fact is, instructors face two big realities with regard to their own practice: 1) We age, and 2) Accidents happen. Believe it or not, we’re not perfect!

Those are the downsides in terms of money, time, and health. I’ll just briefly mention one more thing that every martial arts instructor experiences, few know how to really talk about among their peers, and is probably the number one reason people quit the business: Frustration.

Imagine spending hours at your computer creating and printing promotional brochures, doing good, hard workouts to stay in great condition. Now your in the dojo, the lights are on, the doors unlocked, you’ve carefully prepared tonight’s lessons—and no one shows up. For a martial arts instructor, it’s an experience that can quickly drain all your commitment—and fast.

Most students have no idea how many hours the teacher has spent just preparing for classes. Along with teaching, there’s encouraging commitment, motivating hard work, cultivating students’ beliefs in themselves, and nurturing a belief in their own success, often just to see them hop down the road to newest McDojo to learn the latest technique for dropping your opponent with the tap of a finger.

So what are we, crazy? Sometimes I think so! Yet something keeps us leaping out of bed each morning and trying again. It’s that peculiar experience called, “Surprise Achievement.”

It’s that moment when you struggled to help a confused and frustrated student to understand how a technique works. He tries it once, and gets a painful bruise on his arm; he tries it again and again, but it doesn’t seem to have any valid effect on his opponent. Then, just when you thought there were no more ways to explain it, demonstrate it, or get him to commit to the repetition drills, he gets it. You didn’t expect it to happen at that moment. Neither did he. And his face turns to you, the expression of disgust and frustration replaced by the surprise of an unexpected achievement. It’s spontaneous; it can’t be planned, and it’s never easy to get there. But it’s worth it.

In fact, it’s so worth it that I often remind my students that our greatest rewards arise from our greatest difficulties. When you know that they grasp that concept, and they invest their valuable time and energy into what you are teaching, the moments of Surprise-Achievement become more frequent, and your own reward as a teacher, immeasurable.

Every dedicated martial arts instructor knows there is a lot more to teaching than giving a couple of quick demonstrations, explanations, then just sitting back and watching students work their way to a black belt while you count the money.

Every martial artist who decides to go into teaching has had a taste of some kind of success. Maybe it was experienced in tournament competition, and you want to share that feeling with others. Or maybe it was just the atmosphere of the dojo, or the fascination with the techniques and strategies you’ve learned. But none of those experiences will sustain a good teacher for very long. Believe me, for every moment of success, there are ten moments of frustration that threaten to overwhelm you.

So forget the sales reps. They mean well, but what do they know? And forget the critics who think you’re just in it to feed your ego. Forget all the frustration. In the end, all that matters is what you and your students think. And that light in his eyes, that sudden beaming smile, that certain, “Aha!”

…more than makes it all worth while.

Here’s another interesting self-defense article: Which martial arts pressure points are the most effective for dominating your opponent?



Glenda

Adrian Adams asked:


Martial Arts is the combination of physical techniques and mental discipline. It is used for self defense, body strengthening, relaxation, and even competition. Women often take martial arts classes to learn moves that will help them in the event of an attack. The moves of Martial Arts are designed for even a small woman to use them effectively.

The arms and legs are used in Martial sports moves. Practicing them will help you get fit and strengthen your body. Doing these moves will also help relax your mind. There are many different types of martial arts including karate and tae kwon do. Karate involves various kicks and punches. The goal of karate is to defend rather than to hurt the other person. Tae kwon do is the most commonly used type of martial art. The moves are very graceful and requires exceptional coordination.

The level of skill varies greatly in martial arts, from beginners to experts. Competitions are very popular. In addition to karate and tae kwon do, kickboxing competitions are very popular as well.

Martial arts is a great sport for children of all ages to participate in. They will get fit, learn about self discipline, and have some basic skills for defending themselves. It can help with behavior issues too including a short attention span, following directions, and communication style.

There are many variations of the martial arts. It is important to identify the types of techniques and trainings that will be used in a class before you sign up. The instructor can help you determine if it is right for you. There are also martial arts videos you can purchase to use at home. This is a great way to pick up skills in the privacy of your home. It is also great for those with a hectic schedule.

Many types of Martial Arts have a colored belt system. Judo was the first type of Martial Arts to adopt this practice. The color of the belt indicates the level of skill the student has. Students have to pass skill tests to move on to learning techniques and moves of the next color. Beginners start with a white belt. In the old days, the white belt was dyed the new color as a rite of passage and honor in Martial Arts. Today the belt is simply replaced with the new color of the skill level. After white, the colors are yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and black.

While the goal of each student in Martial Arts is self improvement, the belt in some forms of it offers the student a way to display their efforts to the other students. It is also designed to help students engage in fair sparing activities. To respect the culture of Martial Arts, it is important that you wear the belt properly.

Never let a white belt get dingy or dirty. The belt needs to be tied firmly above the hip bones. Make sure it is loose enough to move during your activities but tight enough to stay in place. The ends of the belt hanging on both sides need to be even. This can take time to learn so practice finding the amount of material needed to tie it. Some people place a small market on the inside of the belt to find the location easily. The belt should never be allowed to cross itself in the back. Never let your belt touch the floor.

Having the proper respect for the Martial Arts includes honoring the belt color system. Never wear a belt for a level of skill you have not accomplished. This is considered to be dishonorable. Your instructor will help you learn to tie your belts properly. Enjoy learning about Martial Arts, improving your skills, and proving you are worthy of a higher ranking belt.



Lonnie

Jerry Glynn asked:


The Martial Arts are a conglomeration of fighting forms that are codified and traditional in practice. In popular culture the term martial arts refers specifically to those forms of combat that are of Asian origins. Popular martial arts icons like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, and Jet Li have thrilled movie audiences for decades and brought more people to the combat art-form than ever before.

Beginning any form of martial arts means investing in the proper martial arts equipment that will prepare the new student to actively and effectively take part in his or her learning. Purchasing the right equipment can be a daunting task, however, since there are so many items to choose from,knowing what you will need is important. Many martial studios will have a list of items their students will need to purchase as they achieve each individual level of skill. Some equipment can be very dangerous if utilized without the proper training so parents especially will want to be wary of purchasing right away any items that are above their child’s skill level. Everything the new student purchases should come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, because from uniforms to sparring gear, and weapons most of what you buy is not going to be treated gently so it’s important that everything is made with quality and care and the vendor you choose is willing to back that quality up.

Martial arts centers that are just setting up or needing to restock on martial arts equipment can easily find vendors that are well stocked and knowledgeable in the forms and needs of various martial arts. Kicking shields, hand targets/ focus mitts, punching bags, medicine balls and varying workout apparel can be found in online sources, and some of the top brand names to look for in these items are: Century, Grant, Gripmaster, Macho, MotionRx, and Prime Impact.

One item that most new students will definitely need is your basic martial arts uniform. Martial arts uniforms are light and flexible; they are made for comfort and movement, and they allow the body to breath during strenuous routines. Most new students will need a traditional uniform for training, but they can also vary their uniforms by using other martial arts apparel for their private workouts.

Some martial arts centers require no more than the uniform and a mouth guard to begin training, but for the student who wishes to plan ahead or purchase equipment to use on their spare time some safe and basic items to buy would be boxing gloves, punching bags, sparring gear (i.e.-head gear, face shields, shin guards, foot, hand, and chest protectors), re-breakable boards, jump ropes, and more. The list of martial arts equipment available is extensive, but there are vendors that provide you with quality merchandise, service, and anything you will need to get started.



Shane