Martial Arts come in different forms and they are not only confined to Kung-fu or Taekwondo, which is popularized a lot in television and the movies. You would be surprised to know that certain forms of fighting are also called martial arts. To learn and practice martial arts, one should be well equipped with the proper supplies. Martial arts have different origins. The term “Martial” is derived from the Roman god of war named “Mars”. Martial Arts simply mean “the art of war”. Although most people think that martial arts only came from the Asian cultures, it is also found in America and Europe. Martial arts feature a type of combat system that has codes within a single objective of physically defeating a person. Aside from this, it is mainly used for self-defense against any bodily harm. Some martial arts techniques are actually based on a spiritual or religious philosophy such as Aikido and Judo. This is while others base it on a certain code of honor such as fencing. Hence, martial arts techniques are being practiced as a form of combat sports and some in the form of dance. Thus, regardless of where the art originated, they have similarities with one another. Each style has a systematized fighting style. They even have forms and routines when they do sparring, which is practiced either alone or with a partner. Martial arts are grouped in a way that each style will focus on a certain area. Below is a list of samples for each group: Grappling • Throwing – Judo, Jujutsu, Sambo • Joint Lock – Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Hapkido • Pinning Techniques – Wrestling, Judo Striking • Punching – Boxing (Western style), Wing Chun • Kicking – Capoeira, Savate, Taekwondo • Other Strikes – Muay thai, Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu Weapons • Traditional Weaponry – Fencing, Gatka, Kendo, Kali • Modern Weaponry – Eskrima, Jogo do pau, Jukendo For some, most of the styles are well known as a form of Martial Arts technique and only a few would know that boxing and fencing is also categorized as such. At present, most styles of martial arts are being used as combat sports. For the others, they are used in military or police training as a form of self-defense. Hence, Tae Kwon Do, fencing, boxing, and wrestling are events in the summer Olympics. This is while other martial arts such as Wushu of China and Muay Thai have tournaments held around the world. Aside from this, there are also those, which are regarded both as a form of dance and as a type of Martial Art. Good examples would include the Capoeira of Brazil, Yolah of Oman/UAE, and Buza from Russia. Here is short description of some of the techniques mentioned above. CAPOEIRA The slaves in Brazil created this martial art during in the 16th century. It’s a blend of dance, game, and as mentioned already – martial art, where in, music is incorporated. It’s more of a skill based art rather than injuring the opponent. The players’ form a circle called the Roda, where in, they will take turns in playing inside the circle. The basic movement in Capoeira is called the ginga, in which, they need to swing and rock back and forth. They should move with the rhythm of the music being played by the bateria. Hence, the players usually use acrobatic movements such as cartwheels, handstands and use kicks, sweeps, and head strikes as a form of attack. They also do rolls and ducks, as their defensive move and as type of preparation for an attack. Thus, this is more of a combination move for self-defense that makes use of a cartwheel with a blocking kick and an attack at the same time. BOXING The ancient Greeks first introduced it as a sport and there are different forms of boxing done around the world. As a combat sport, usually two persons with a similar weight class fight with each other using their fists. There is the presence of a referee, one who needs to watch over and control the fight. Since boxing is a type of contact sport, certain precautions must be taken in order to prevent injury. Hand and wrist wraps and boxing gloves are worn in order to protect the bones in the hands. During practice or sparring sessions, a headgear is also worn to protect the head and face. A mouthpiece is also worn to protect the insides of the cheek and lips from getting cut and also the jaw joint when the face gets hit. Boxers practice their punches on a “speed bag” or on the heavy “punching bag” in order to develop speed, agility, and strength. Other training equipments include free weights, jump ropes, and medicine balls. The trainer uses focus mitts as padded targets for the boxer during practice. MODERN ARNIS A Filipino style of martial arts founded by the late Remy Preses was created as a self-defense system. Influenced by the style of the Bolo (machete) and the art of Balintawak (Stick-Dueling), rattan sticks are used as weaponry, in which, it is called a “baston” (baton) or cane. Two techniques are taught using the baston – the single and double stick technique. The cane is considered sacred to the practitioners of the art. This is the reason why, during combat, the arm or hand of the opponent is hit and not the cane. This method was called “defanging the snake”, where in, the opponent will drop his weapon, making him less of a threat. Then this technique has been discouraged a lot from learning the art. This is because it was too painful to learn. Plus, this caused the Filipino martial arts to become almost extinct! Therefore, what Remy Preses did is to preserve the Filipino martial art via developing a method of cane-to-cane combat during practice. This is in order to attract would be practitioners of the art. Thus, the “defanging the snake” method remains the practical application. TAEKWONDO Taekwondo is the national sport of South Korea and perhaps the most popular martial art in the world. It is a combination of self-defense, sport, and combat techniques, which makes it an official event in the Olympics. The training of taekwondo usually involves the use of the power of the hips and legs. It also has blocks, punches, sweeps, and joint locks. Taekwondo is distinguished from other techniques because of its kicking techniques. They believe that the leg is the most powerful weapon especially with the back kick of taekwondo. The union of the mind and body is developed and practiced in this art, while developing other aspects such as discipline, strength, flexibility, and stamina. The “dobok” is the official uniform of a taekwondo student and is usually white, and with it, a belt is worn around the waist where its color will indicate the person’s rank. FENCING A European martial art that involves the use of swords, knives, bayonets and other similar weapons used in armed combat. Presently there are three weapons used: • Foil – light thrusting weapon • Epee – heavy thrusting weapon • Sabre – light cutting and thrusting weapon Dueling gained popularity with the Europeans in the 17th up to the 19th century, where in, the cutting style of swordplay became a thrusting style or “foining”. During that time fencing involves defending one’s honor so no duels using sharp blades took place unless a formal insult was made. After World War I, dueling was almost non-existent and went out after the Second World War. Therefore, the training and using of sharp swords disappeared. Plus, the emphasis was more in the technique and training styles of fencing. As a form of martial art, the goal of fencing is to be theoretically trained for a duel. In classical fencing, where in the art of swordplay is applied and even expected to become applied in their training for an actual duel or fight, they utilize the standard foil, epee, and the blunted sabre. As for historical fencing, the use of a variety of weaponry with realistic weight will demand a different way of handling them, even affecting the movement of the body. Today, fencing, as a type of sport, uses protective clothing during practices or events. The complete set includes the following: • Croissard – form fitting jacket covering the groin with a strap that goes between the legs. • Gorget – small fabric to protect the neck • Plastron – under arm protector • Glove – to protect the hand and prevent the blade from going into the sleeve • Breeches or knickers – short trousers • Socks – knee length or thigh high • Shoes – with flat soles • Mask – with a bib to protect the neck • Plastic chest protectors – required for female fencers Things you need when you are planning to join a martial arts class: 1. Uniform – most students are required to have a uniform. There are available uniforms for students of the following: • Taekwondo • Karate • Judo and Aikido • Kung-fu • Ninja • Belts 2. Protective gears and sparring gears • Head gear • Hand gear • Foot gear • Chest guard • Shin guard 3. Weapons • Practice swords • Escrimas • Weapons cases • Weapons stand • Knives • Bo’s and staffs • Kubotan 4. Training gear • Breaking boards • Mats • Conditioning gears – hand grips, double end ball • Hand held pads -mitts and arm shield • Heavy bags 5. Boxing equipments • Gloves • Cardio wraps • Jump rope • Leather speed ball 6. Exercise equipments • Medicine balls • Chin up bars • Heart rate monitor • Free weights • Ankle weights • Stretching equipment