Popular Martial Arts and How They Are Practised

Over the years, martial arts have gained popularity across the world. Many people practice the skills for self-defence and the health benefits they provide. Some of the most popular martial arts include the following.

Krav Maga

Krav Maga originates from Israel. It focuses on hand to hand combat style to weaken the opponent and prevent them from striking. The main aim of Krav Maga, which is often used by the Israeli army, is to survive, and not give the opponent a chance. It does not have rules on how to fight and allows for brutal attacks.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

As the name suggests, this form of martial arts uses techniques drawn from different styles, including boxing, karate, wrestling, judo and others, to win against the opponent. With MMA, you can use grappling, and even fight the opponent while they are on the ground.

Aikido

This form of martial arts dates back from the 1920s and originates from Japan. It focuses on disarming the attacker, without necessarily injuring them. The students of Aikido are also taught how to duck and avoid weapons such as knives and swords.

Kickboxing

This is considered a hybrid form of martial arts since it was developed by combining karate and boxing. It is practised for self-defence and fitness. It originates from Japan, and it focuses on kicking and striking the opponent in particular regions of the body until the enemy is subdued. It also involves retracting when the enemy advances and using skills to avoid being overwhelmed.

Muay Thai

Muay Thai is a martial art style that originates from Thailand. It has a resemblance to kickboxing, but in Muay Thai, you are allowed to use elbows and knee strikes. The kicks can be very powerful, and that is why it is considered to be an element of mixed martial arts.