Aikido
-
has a reputation as a "nonviolent" martial art. Made up
mainly of joint locks and throws Aikido practitioners may also train
with the staff, knife and wooden sword. It is popular with the
Japanese Police so they can subdue suspect without injury them
Arnis -
Filipino
stick fighting. One advantage Modern Arnis has over other arts is that
it can be learned very quickly. Modern Arnis is distinctive because it
is structured to immediately make use of weapons and the techniques work
with or without a weapon.
Bando -
originated in the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (Burma). Made
up of empty hand techniques, the art includes foot and hand strikes,
throws and joint locks, along with different weapon techniques.
Boxing
- known as the Western martial art, but more precisely a sport.
Possiblely originating in Greece or Rome, is very influential in
the development of modern kickboxing.
Capoeira
- developed by African slaves as a form of unarmed self-defense out of
necessity. The moments were disguised as a dance to avoid
punishment by superiors, the art is rhythmically natural with musical
accompaniment.
Hapkido
- originally focused on pressure point strikes, joint locks and throws,
but then developed to include highly refined kicks and hand
strikes. Weapons include the cane, staff and belt.
Hsing-i
Chuan - heavily
influenced by the teachings of Taoism, it is based on the five elements:
wood, Water, earth, metal and fire. The forms are based on the
movements of 12 animals. (i.e. horse, monkey, tiger, bear, etc.)
Hwarang
do - claimed to be
a direct descendant of the martial art practiced by Korean's sixth
century hwarang warriors. Hwarang-do includes kicks, punches,
throw, joint locks, pressurpoint strikes and internal energy development.
Jeet
Kune Do - is a
versatile martial art created in the 1960's by Bruce Lee. With the
philosophy of "absorb what is useful" Lee borrowed the best
skills and techniques from many arts. It is known for it's street
effectiveness, it includes kicking, punching, trapping and grappling.
Judo -
a martial sport derived from jiu jitsu, became a Olympic sport in
1964. It emphasized throwing an opponent to the ground then chokes
and joint locks are used to effect a submission.
Jujutsu
- is one of the
martial arts of Japan's Samurai Warriors created when kicks and punches
had little effect on the armor of a warrior. Chokes and joint
locks were the only technique that could attack unprotected targets.
Kalaripayit
- meaning "battlefield training" it is an ancient Indian
Martial Art that uses pressure point strikes, yoga stretching and venous
strangely shaped weapons.
Karate
- a refined Chinese
art developed by the Okinawains as a means of selfdefense because
weapons were outlawed on the island. There are many different
styles of karate being practiced such as kenpo, gojuryu kyokushin,
shorinryu, washinryu etc.. All arts include hardstyle kicks, punches and
blocks, practiced through Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring).
Kenpo
- categorized as an American martial art, it was influenced by those of
various Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian Martial Arts. The art was
updated and popularized by Edmund Kealoha Parker Sr. by emphasizing a
scientific approach to combat.
Kickboxing
- more of a martial
sport it combines the hand techniques of Western boxing with kicks from
the Asian martial arts.
Kuk
Sool
- meaning
"national skills" is a combination of various types of Korean
martial arts. Said to be one of the most comprehensive systems,
with numerous techniques. Including many weapon techniques.
Kung Fu
- is a catchall term for the Chinese martial arts. There are
many different styles of the art, such as; Shaolin, hung gar, eagle
claw, crane, drunken fist, mantis and wing chun. Each form
emphasizes different techniques, either emphasizing hand or foot
techniques.
Muay
Thai - also know as
Thai boxing, is renowned for its overal siimplicity and
practicality. Mainly know as a ring sport it does cross over to
selfdefense applications. The sport is growing in popularity.
Ninjutsu
- the art of Japan's ninja warriors. Ninjutsu does include
empty hand techiques it is primarily involved in wepons such ast
sword, dagger, and throwing star.
Pa Kua
Chang - movements
focus on the circle and the opposites of yin & yang. The
offensive techniques can be subtle and indirect, but they are very
effective for selfdefence.
Pentjak
Silat - an
Indonesian martial art, which emphasizes joint locks, sweeps, takedowns,
and hand and foot strikes, often aimed at the body's weakest points.
Sambo
- a modern Russian combat art that emphasizes throws, takedowns and
joint locks.
Savate
- is a French art of foot and fist fighting. Known for it's
precision kicks to the body's vital points. The hand techniques
are similar to Western boxing.
Shootfighting
- Variation include shootwrestling, shootboxing and pancrase. All
are taught primarily as ring sports, rules permit kicks, hand strikes,
takedowns, throws and ground grappling.
Shuai
Chiao - is
known as China's wrestling and throwing art. Unlike judo, where
breakfalls are used to lessen impact. Shuai Chiao teaches student
to lock the limbs before throwing, which intensifies the impact.
Sumo
- a Japanese
combative sport pitting one huge, loin cloth clad contestant against
another, attempting to execute a trip or throw to force the opponent to
touch the ground with any part of his body other than his feet.
Taekwondo
- a Korean martial sport which is one of the most popular styles in the
world. It emphasis is on throwing rapid kicks and body punches. It
is said to have the most extensive kicking arsenal of any martial
art.
Tai Chi
Chaun -
one of China's three internal arts, it is frequently paracticed in slow
motion. Tai chi chuan training emphasizes rooting, or connecting
one's chi with the earth. It is said to improve balance,
coordination, concentration, breathing, circulation and overall health.
Tang
Soo Do -
a traditional Korean martial art that focuses on discipline and the
practice of hyung (forms) and self defence sequences.
Wing
Chun - is a Chinese
self defense art , said to teach only the most effective techniques of
various other styles of kung fu. The art uses low level kicks and
many hand and finger strikes to defeat and attacker.
Wrestling
- a combative sport with origins in ancient Greece ad Rome.
Practiced by many forms around the world (sumo, ssirum, khok, sambo)
Wushu
- this modern Chinese martial art emphasizes flashy techniques and
acrobatics. It includes empty hand techniques and practically
every imaginable weapon.
