About 100 million people worldwide practice the martial arts today. Within the 200 distinct martial arts, there are also numerous styles, schools, or systems, with their own individual characteristics and emphases. Most martial arts training takes place under the leadership of an instructor who is very experienced in that particular art.
Many people today take up the martial arts to learn to defend themselves against an aggressor. However, students continue in the martial arts not only for the purpose of self-defense, but also for the recreational value, physical fitness, and mental development that the martial arts offer. Because they demand hard work, persistence, and concentration, martial arts also provide the opportunity for character development. Most of the traditions share a commitment to peace, believing that those who are truly wise and strong will use their martial arts training to avoid a fight, rather than to win one. However, all of the martial arts also believe in the appropriate use of their skills for self-defense or for the defense of others.
Dojo: The classroom or other place where martial arts training takes place.
Sensei: The teacher in a martial arts school. This Japanese word means "one who has gone before." The Chinese word for teacher is sifu, and the Korean word is sabonim.
Kata: A set series of techniques, in a certain order, which students learn in most martial arts traditions. Students usually learn the various kata in a certain progression, practice them frequently, and perform certain kata when they test for their next belt, to show that they have become proficient in those exercises. Some schools use the word form instead of the word kata.
Kihon: Basics. Kihon may include stance, positions, and footwork.
Gi: The formal uniform which martial arts students wear in many traditions. The gi generally consists of a long-sleeved shirt in which the two sides cross over each other in front and tie at the sides, along with loose-fitting pants.
Dan: A level of learning which experienced martial arts students attain. If a sensei is a second-dan black belt, it means that the martial artists above him in that style have awarded him one degree beyond that of black belt.
Kumite: Freestyle sparring, in which two martial arts students fight each other under controlled conditions.
Karate: Karate, a martial art in which the student punches, kicks, strikes, and blocks, originated on the island of Okinawa. The Japanese word "karate" means "empty hand." However, there are also weapons traditions originating from Okinawa, which some karate styles also practice. The term karate-do designates the type of karate which Funakoshi Gichin brought from Okinawa to Japan in 1922. Karate-do has a strong philosophical element, concerning itself with the student's frame of mind and character to a greater extent than other schools of karate had in the past.
Kung fu: Kung fu originated in China over 2000 years ago. The tradition's name comes from the Chinese expression for "skill," "ability," or "work." Like karate, kung fu is a striking art; but whereas karate typically uses closed-fist techniques, kung fu uses many open-handed techniques. Kung fu students also tend to practice with weapons, such as swords or staffs, more often than do students of karate.
Tai chi, a martial art whose students practice deliberately slow, continuous movements, is a style of kung fu. "Tai chi" is the shortened name of "T'ai chi ch'uan," which means "great ultimate fist" in Chinese. Tai chi may be the world's most popular martial art, because tens of millions of people in China practice it daily for exercise and relaxation.
Tae kwon do: This Korean martial art seems to have arisen from the combination of ancient Korean techniques and modern Japanese ones. "Tae kwon do" means "the way of hands and feet," and tae kwon do students learn to use their feet well, in impressive spinning or jumping kicks.
There are numerous other striking traditions of the martial arts, but the above are the most popular.
Judo: Judo developed from jujitsu in the 19th-century, and like jujitsu, is a Japanese grappling art. "Judo" means "gentle way." Aikido is also a martial art developed from jujitsu, but aikido differs from judo and jujitsu in that it is essentially noncombative. Aikido artists attempt both to move with the attacker's force (a principle which judo and jujitsu also share) and to lead the attacker in a circular path around the aikidoist. Then the aikido artist may use joint-locks or other grappling techniques to immobilize the attacker.
There are numerous other grappling traditions of the martial arts, but the above are the most popular. Other traditions, such as karate and kung fu, may also practice some grappling techniques derived from jujitsu or other grappling arts.
A good school also shows respect for newcomers to the martial arts. Your martial arts teacher will give you knowledge, encouragement, and lots of practice while you are in class.
While most schools require their students to wear a certain uniform, it is usually acceptable for new students to wear normal exercise clothing during the first several classes. If you go to try out a martial arts class, wear loose-fitting, comfortable exercise clothing that will stay in place as you practice martial arts footwork, kicks, and other techniques. Martial arts are almost always practiced barefoot.
The different styles have their own systems of etiquette, but all rely upon the principle of respect. During the class, this will mean listening carefully for instructions and waiting to talk, sit down, or move around the room until your teacher tells you to do so. You will probably learn to bow to the sensei or teacher, and to other students. If your teacher does tell you to sit down to watch a demonstration or while you are waiting your turn to practice a technique, in most martial arts schools you will sit with your legs folded under you: kneel, and then sit back on your heels. It is often considered a sign of disrespect to show the soles of your feet to the room or to the teacher. It is also seen as disrespectful to walk through the middle of the classroom rather than moving around the perimeter to take your place. However, other martial arts practitioners will extend tolerance to new martial artists who forget the rules of etiquette or violate a rule of which they are unaware.
While classes differ in different schools, most martial arts classes begin when the students line up, greet the sensei with bows, and then proceed to stretching or warmup exercises as a group. The teacher may lead the students in push-ups or other strength training exercises, which will improve their ability in martial arts over time. Next, the instructor guides the students into practice of kihon, or basics. In karate, kihon includes how to stand, how to move forward and backward, and how to block, kick, and punch. Having practiced these basics, the class may work on kata: series of moves and techniques in a definite order, essential to many martial arts. The more advanced the students are, the more kata they will know: so new students may do their best to keep up with the class on the beginning kata, and then take a seat to observe the practice of the later kata. If the class is designed especially for beginners, students will not practice intermediate kata but will all work on beginning kata together. At the end of the class, students often partner up to practice punches and blocks in a slow, controlled manner, under the instructor's direction. Most classes conclude with a short ceremony of lining up again and thanking the instructor and other students. Although a new student's first martial arts class may seem overwhelming, he or she will quickly learn new techniques and enjoy mastering the kata and growing stronger at striking and other techniques.
Resources:
"Martial arts." Article in Microsoft Encarta. June 18, 2006.
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Resources:
WWW.HIGHBEAM.COM
WWW.DEEPBLUESWIM.COM
WWW.SUNCITYINC.COM
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