Martial Arts: background info for beginners

For centuries the history of martial arts has been one of growth and fusion, but all the while maintaining a base of spirituality and sacredness.

Methods of self defense are legion, differing from which area of the globe they originated from. One method, however, in the history of martial arts, that has become the epitome of spirituality through gentle movement is Tai Chi Chuan.

The Gentle Martial Art: Tai Chi Chuan
Better known in its short form, Tai Chi or Chinese boxing, this martial art form is one of the most ancient and distinctive Chinese forms of exercise or attack and defense. It is specifically designed to provide relaxation in the process of body conditioning exercise, and this is also where it differs so greatly from so many of the other martial art forms.

Whereas most martial art forms consider attack being their primary goal, with Tai Chi the idea is to promote relaxation and spirituality, and it is a form that is practiced more for enjoyment than anything else.

Any given history of martial arts needs to include Tai Chi, because it was one of the very first martial arts forms to be accepted and practiced worldwide. It closely resembles kung fu, and as a mode of attack and defense it may be used with or without weapons. Freehand exercise is also commonly used here, and this style employs flowing, rhythmic and deliberate movements.

Imitating the Animals: Kung Fu
Kung Fu is also critical to discuss in the history of martial arts, and it is a martial art which is both a form of exercise and a spiritual transcending. The various different movements that are employed in this martial arts form are mostly imitations of the fighting styles of animals, and have such names as dragon, horse riding, frog and snake.

Main Player: Karate
Karate is another of the major martial art forms that needs to be included in the history of martial arts, and karate can be considered as a form of self defense, a form of physical fitness, or even a way of life. It is one of the most commonly practiced self defense tactics in the world, and there are basically three main components that are included in typical karate training, which are: kihon, kata, and kumite.

For those starting out in martial arts it would be a good idea to first go with a discipline that is very popular, with many schools and teachers, to get a good training base. After the foundation is built and an understanding and appreciation of techniques is reached, it will be easier to move on to other lesser known types of martial arts.

Kung Fu
Of all the types of martial arts in existence, kung fu remains second only to karate in popularity. Like karate, there is no one system known just as "kung fu." Kung Fu (aka Gung Fu) means 'great effort' and can refer to a multitude of Chinese self defense systems that number in the hundreds each with their own goals and focus.

Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a wildly popular sport around the world and there are many different types of martial arts that specialize in a mix of boxing and kicking. In Thailand the art of Muay Thai is hugely popular and the indigenous kickboxing art of Savate is hugely popular in France. At one time, kickboxing was incredibly popular as a spectator sport in the United States, but the popularity waned in the early 1980's. Today, in the USA, spectators of kickboxing enjoy the spectacle in the realm of mixed martial arts.

African Martial Arts
A relative newcomer but based on millennia old fighting systems of African tribes, this martial art is taught by the Tamerrian Institute. Like Kung Fu, this style of African martial art uses animal mimicked movements, as well as a vast array of weapons ranging from boomerangs to maces.

Grappling
Of all the types of martial arts, grappling arts have become incredibly popular in recent years thanks to the explosion in popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA), but the arts found in MMA are nothing new as they have been around for centuries. Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are many centuries old and have experienced a huge resurgence. Additionally, there are a number of other grappling systems (Chin Na, Catch as Catch Can Wrestling, etc) that all have a tremendous amount to offer to those with an open mind towards new systems.