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14 • Touchline • Issue 17
Fitness is a natural result of most fighting styles. Deep core strength
is vital in all the grappling sports, whereas the strikes and kicks in
other codes require upper and lower body strength. So not only will
you be able to defeat your enemies, but you will be shredded and
muscular as you do it.
Another draw for martial arts is the fact that many codes have a deep
and rich history. Many codes –think kung fu and muay thai - have
cultural roots dating back hundreds of years. They were formed in a
particular context and much of that cultural heritage is still present
in the sport. Whether you are from within the culture, and it gives
you a sense of connectedness, or you are outside of it, learning and
engaging in an ancient martial art is a experience which enhances
self-development.
Linked to this cultural aspect, martial arts often have a philosophical
tradition which transcends beating someone until they apologise
for looking at you strangely. The eastern martial arts often have a
philosophy that yokes harmony with bravery. At their best, these codes
promote a calm confidence that helps many of their students be
better people.
So once you have decided to take on a martial art, you need to
consider which is right for you.
Though there are hundreds of fighting styles, it is actually pretty
simple to decide. Proximity to trainers or clubs narrows your choice
naturally, but what it really comes down to is your goal. These
categories are very loosely grouped, but create a helpful shorthand for
those daunted by the choices.
The Grappling Martial Arts
Which martial arts are we talking about? Judo, Aikido, Brazilian ju
jitsu, and many more.
Who are they good for? People who are interested in self defence,
competition and fitness.
The grappling codes focus on pinning an opponent as quickly as
possible. Speed is essential, but they also tend to use the strength
and the weight of the attacker to drive them to the ground. The goal
is incapacitation, rather than inflicting pain. But don’t mistake these
guys for pushovers: Judo might be “the gentle way”, but you just
have to see a much larger man being flipped and having their arm
twisted back in a floor hold to understand the power of the code.
Until recently, Brazilian jui jitsu was the martial art of choice for many
MMA winners. They go in hard and low, using leverage to pin their
opponent.
It is believed that Brazilian jui jitsu had its roots in Judo, a Japanese
martial art which was developed in the late 19th century.
THE GRAPPLING MARTIAL ARTS
Judo:
Founded in the late 19th century
in Japan, this uses throws and holds to
subdue an opponent
Aikido:
From early 20th century Japan,
this is another code that attempts to
disarm and subdue an opponent.
Krav Maga:
Vicious!
Jujutsu:
When the samurai lost their
right to carry weapons, they developed
this code. It uses strikes, hold and throws:
but is not above the odd eye gouge or
bite.
Ninjutsu:
Was the art of the ninja.
It was designed for this elite band of
assassins and included strikes as well as
weapons training.
Taekwondo:
Flourished after World
War II, and has been tagged as the most
popular martial art in the world with over
30 million adherents.
Kung fu:
Is probably over 4,000 years
old, though direct evidence only comes
from 500AD. It combines kicks and strikes
with a philosophical outlook coming from
millennia of history.
Karate:
Literally means open hand - it
is a weaponless martial art. It originates
from feudal Japan.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
: Spread in Brazil
in the early 20th century but was devel-
oped by a Japanese immigrant.
Muay Thai
: a phenomenally popular
sport today, it was first attested to in the
early 19th century.
THE
TEN
MOST
POPULAR
MARTIAL ARTS