What is Martial Art?

Martial art is a system of codified combat techniques. It teaches physical fitness, self defense, and the development of character. The martial arts also emphasize mental awareness, focus and discipline. Students learn to work in harmony with the universe, developing sensitivity and discernment to naturally flow with life’s forces.

The origin of the martial arts is shrouded in legend. Many believe that a wandering Indian monk named Bodhidharma visited China in 600 A.D. and taught karate to Chinese monks as a form of healthful exercise. Others claim that the martial arts evolved as a means to inculcate the ancient samurai values of blind loyalty and self-sacrifice, which influenced wartime banzai charges, kamikaze attacks and seppuku, ritual suicides.

In modern times, karate and other martial arts have become popular forms of recreation and personal development. Some armed martial arts such as kendo and kyudo are practiced as sports, while the unarmed martial arts of tai chi chuan (taijiquan) are widely practiced as healthful exercise. Many martial artists also believe that the practice of the martial arts helps to develop a sense of kwan (community) and an appreciation for the value of human life.

While there are many different types of martial art, most can be categorized into five distinct categories: stand up or striking styles, grappling styles, low impact styles, weapons based styles, and MMA (A hybrid sport style). The emergence of MMA in recent years has led to a lot of mixing of martial arts styles.

Generally speaking, martial arts are designed to be versatile and effective against multiple opponents. They can be used against attackers of varying size and strength, and with or without weapons. The goal is to defeat the opponent using techniques such as throws, takedowns, joint locks, chokes, and strangle holds. Strikes to the head are generally prohibited.

In most martial arts schools, children of various ages and belt levels train together in the same class. This allows them to observe and learn from each other. It also creates a sense of community among the students and gives them a feeling of belonging.

To master martial art techniques, it takes regular and consistent practice. Start with basic moves, and then gradually build up to more complex movements. It’s helpful to practice in front of a mirror or with a partner to get visual feedback on your technique. Once you have mastered the individual components of a martial art move, try integrating them to perform the entire technique. Practice the complete move repeatedly to reinforce muscle memory and refine your timing, power, and fluidity. As you progress, make a commitment to continuous improvement and stay open to new ideas and perspectives. Mastery of a martial art is not an endpoint but a lifelong journey. The more you invest in your training, the more rewarding it will be. Dedicated martial artists are often more alert and focused throughout their daily lives, which leads to better decision-making and higher productivity. Kampsport