Styles
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
Martial arts have grown its diversity in form and discipline according to the instructor, environment, and specialty. Even a single branch of martial art has different styles; technique specialization based on the interpretation o its single philosophy; and attitudes toward enemies/foe. It can also be classified according to the location of its origin. However, despite of its wide variety, generally all martial arts have one goal: defeating a person or defending oneself from a threat of danger. Generally, martial arts couldclasssified according to these categories:
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Striking
The most common form fighting techinique in the martial arts that involves the use of palms, fist, elbows and any body part that can be used as a "striking weapon" The most common of the striking form is Jendo, Kung Fu and Karate. This kind of fighting style is the universal fighting style since primitive men used hands as the earliest form of "weapon". This fact could be seen in the way lower forms of mammals use fore legs as thier arsenal against their prey. Therefore, the striking style is not only limited to the martial arts found in East Asian Regions. Muay thai is already gaining its popularity as a sport, not only in the south eastern regions of Asia where it originated but also in other parts of the world. In the west, popular forms of striking such as Boxing, that originated from Bare-knuckle boxing is considered a martial art.
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Kicking
In martial arts terms, this general style of fighting is widely used in every kind of martial art that exists. It involves the act of hitting an object or person with the use of the foot. The emphasis on the use of kicking an opponent is commonly found in east Asian styles of martial arts such as Taekwondo, Karate and Kung fu (although karate and kung fu also uses striking techniques). In western styles, techniques such as Capoeira and Savate only use the foot as a "weapon" in defeating an opponent
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Grappling and Throwing
Grappling/throwing is a fighting style that uses close combat techniques to immobilize, or throw an opponent in order to defeat him. Employing holds, throws, trips, chokes and takedowns is common in this style. Examples of these are Wrestling which originated in the west and Judo and Jujitsu from the east
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Weaponry
This style employs the use of instruments or tools in attacking an opponent or defending oneself from physical threat. It has been in use for thousand of years since men started to use simple tools to aid their daily task. Kendo, the Japanese sword fighting style that owas derived from ancient sword techniques and Fencing which is now an international sport.
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Physical Conditioning
Physical Conditioning is a different kind style of martial art because it does not emphasize on attacking an opponent or defending oneself, rather, it focuses on the spiritual and meditative exercise of martial arts. Practitioners of these kind of martial arts are said to have a good personality and can live a longer lives. Tai Chi Chuan or most commonly known as T'ai Chi is physical conditioning martial art that exercises slow and precise movements of the body to enhance a person's flexibility and balance the flow of his/her q'i/chi.
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