Types of Martial Arts Styles P1

Aikido

Morihei Ueshiba is the founder of this fighting style; he developed it by joining martial arts studies with religion and philosophy. “Ai”, “ki” and “do” means harmony, spirit and way respectively. The main principle of Aikido is to defend yourself without injuring your attacker. You ultimately use your opponent or attacker’s energy and motion against them, by strategically turning to get your opponent on the ground and in a compliant lock.

American Kenpo

Ed Parker developed this style which is viewed as self-defence as are many other martial arts. Versions of this art are adapted and taught by many an instructor since Parker, the Master, passed away before he named his intended inheritor. American Kenpo uses a fast chain of hand strikes, which inevitably should overwhelm your opponent as you strike as many times as possible in a short period. Kicks are not often used as it could throw the fighter off balance, if and when kicks are executed, they are done so at a low level.

Arnis

The Filipinas are credited with developing this martial art as a means of self-defence against conflict or against those trying to invade their land. In this art, the opponent is overpowered with different stances, footwork and disarming moves as well as weapons which include the likes of swords, knives and rattan sticks.

Boxing

Boxing is the most natural and oldest form of combat that man knowns. In this martial art, your hands form fists which are used to jab and punch or “box” your attacker or opponent. Your hands are kept raised to protect your face and neck. Although boxers only fight with their hands, they focus very heavily on training their legs, which aid in balance, speed and agility. In boxing events, a practitioner’s endurance, reflexes and strength are pitilessly put to the test.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

The Gracie family borrowed elements from Judo in the early 20th century for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu which mainly focuses on wrestling type ground base grappling and submission locks.

Choi Kwang Do

Kwang Jo Choi developed this modern-day self-defence martial art. Kwang Jo Choi formerly practised Tae Kwon Do but edited the style to prevent the injuries he believed Tae Kwon Do to cause. Choi Kwang Do focuses on fluid-like movements as well as the flexibility to produce a lot of force with little strain on the joints. It also incorporates exercises from yoga-like breathing and stretching techniques to condition the body.

Capoeira

During the 19th century, the African slaves in Brazil developed this form of combat. They used musical instruments like drums to produce a rhythm to which this art is practised. Capoeira combines complex, quick elements of dance and acrobatics, with kicks and spins and relies on the speed and strength of the practitioner to defeat an attacker.