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Martial Arts

Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat. Today, martial arts are studied for various reasons including combat skills, fitness, self defense, sport, self-cultivation (meditation), mental discipline, character development and building self-confidence. A practitioner of martial arts is referred to as a martial artist.

Overview

Worldwide there is a great diversity of martial arts. Broadly speaking, martial arts share a common goal: to defeat a person physically or to defend oneself from physical threat. In many martial arts, training goes beyond fighting to include personal, mental, and spiritual development.

A common characteristic of martial arts is the systemization of fighting techniques. One common traditional method of training, particularly in the East Asian martial arts, is the form or Kata (also called poomse, ch'ůan t'ao, kuen, tao lu, hyung, or tuls). This is a set routine of techniques performed alone, or sometimes with a partner.

Martial arts may focus on one or more of these areas:

• Striking
• Kicking
• Throwing, or
• Weaponry

Some martial arts, particularly the traditional Chinese Martial Arts, also teach side disciplines such as bone setting, acupuncture, acupressure, and other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Indian Martial Arts also teach aspects of traditional Indian Medicine as side disciplines.

Many martial arts also strive to teach moral values and provide guidance for children who join the ranks of those learning the art. Many arts require those who achieve black belt or the equivalent to take an oath restricting their use of their knowledge. Martial artists are also trained in mental and emotional discipline.

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