where does martial arts stand today?
152359
In the early times, the martial arts were there to serve as a means of self-defense ( especially close-quarters ) but because ever since the gun has become the preferred weapon by many ( especially in Western colonial powers), the arts have seen a decline in their importance in the methods of war. \n\nBefore Bruce Lee's rise to world fame, many Asian martial arts had sprouted in the West. This could be attributed to Western military men being taught those arts when they were assigned in Far Eastern Asia. The reason for being taught is because it would give these military men bare-handed fighting skills in combat. When the martial art schools in the West appeared, it enjoyed popularity and is considered to be its "Golden Age" at least in America. Many programs featuring various martial arts would also contribute to why many people enrolled in these schools thus making martial arts popular. The emphasis however of these schools was in the aesthetic aspect of the arts which was used to attract followers as evidenced by the numerous martial arts demonstrations being held at that time. Martial Arts also at this period were the classical or traditional martial arts, a practitioner is only allowed to use techniques coming from the art he or she practiced so as to distinguish one art from another done by its practitioner.  \n\nWhen Bruce Lee came into the scene, the Martial Arts became even more popular. In fact, his films are considered by many to be the greatest martial arts films of all time, they were classics. The focus of media then shifted to Lee and everything Lee had to say was taken to heart by the martial arts community. His liberal philosophy on the martial arts stressed that martial artists must liberate themselves from the art they practiced and explore the other arts to pick techniques that would be effective for them in combat. Bruce Lee's self-made martial art, "Jeet Kune Do"( art of the intercepting fist)reflected this philosophy as he has studied many martial arts even Western ones (boxing,wrestling,fencing)to pick techniques that he knew would be effective for him during combat. He called it the "style of no style" stressing that Jeet Kune Do is free of any form unlike the traditional, classical styles to fulfill the objective of efficiency in combat since fighting in a pattern would enable one's assailant or opponent to read his next move. For Bruce Lee, martial arts was all about realistic combat.\n\nThe period after his death didn't show any much about martial arts. In the 90's, an underground fighting competition began gaining attention. The competition was made in order to see which martial art was the most effective in a "no holds barred" environment meaning there were no rules in contrast to boxing matches and karate or taekwondo tournaments where rules were strictly observed that also lessened realism in combat. It pitted martial artists from different styles to see which style is best. This competition later became known as the "UFC" and was legalized in some states however, rules were introduced thereby reducing its claim to be "no holds barred" which lessened its reputed "realism" in combat. In the early times of this competition, practitioners of grappling arts were dominant in winning competitions. Later however, winners of such competitions were fighters who are well-versed in both grappling(Brazilian Jujitsu, Wrestling, Sambo) and striking arts(Muay Thai, Boxing, Kickboxing). To this day, most winners of such competitions are those who have been well-versed in various arts, essentially what Lee proposed most martial artists to do in order to become efficient martial artists in the field of realistic combat even though considering the watered down realism of such competitions. Other similar fighting competitions began to appear, Pride FC as an example.
623593
People have been fighting since before there was language to describe it.  Various styles are attributed to various places but there is a lot of interconnection.\n\nLegend has it that there was a secret band of monks living in Northern India that perfected a system of fighting hundreds and hundreds of years ago.  Nobody really knows just how old.  With the spread of Buddhism and other related religions, these monks started travelling.\n\nThey travelled throughout Asia and kept up their secret martial arts.  The secret got out though and soon many people were practicing martial arts with their own little additions and subtractions.\n\nChina developped Kung Fu.  Korea developped Tae Kwon Do.  Japan developped Karate and a whole number of other disciplines.  Today there are hundreds of styles that mix and match from many different traditions.
1129525
O.K. This question comes up about every couple of days.\nMy standing answer is that there is no one martial art that encompasses everything. The best thing to do is to learn two different arts and use them together. Pick two that have opposite movements and yet compliment each other like...\nKarate - Linear aggressive attacks using your own body movements for power. (punching and kicking)\nAikido - Circular non aggressive movements which use your opponents momentum as the power base. (Throws and locks)
551604
I would believe that Chinese, Korean and Japanese people would be decent at martial arts.  Especially considering that's where it started
1082114
Martial Arts, and Soccer
38548
Hopefully you'll find someone more knowledgeable than myself, but in case you don't:  Kung-fu is the most varied and most difficult style to learn, and probably the most successful from an offensive point of view.\n\nAikido is a martial art that relies on flips and twists and might be considered the most successful from a defensive point of view.\n\nTae Kwan Do is basically glorified kick-boxing.  Not very advanced, but a good way to exercise.\n\nThis is the extent of my foolish knowledge.  The ancient masters are probably crying in despair now.
984965
Iv'e been doing MA for 39 years and i've never heard that hard syles of MA are only good for attack and fighting?\nany martial art that you make a lifestyle out of and stick to is good whether it be for self defense or whatever.you dont need to swallow a dictionary and a bucket of b/shit to give a good answer.
1059345
Well I can't think of one art that focuses on all of the things that you name. Brazillian Jujitsu probably comes the closest. It focuses on grappling, pressure points, and submissions. I believe they do have some takedowns but most of it is groundfighting so I wouldn't consider take downs to be a part of the focus. On the flipside, Judo focuses on takedowns, grappling, and submissions but not so much on pressure points because it is a sport. Then there is Japanese Jujitsu, which is what I practice, and we focus on take downs, pressure points, and submissions. We don't do so much grappling but it is there. So all in all, if you want to focus on all of the elements you named, I would combine a couple of martial arts (BJJ and Judo would be quite effective if you want to compete in a fight competition or just get in good shape. If you are looking to study for pure self defense, then BJJ and Japanese Jujitsu would be good).
840224
Bruce Lee actually explained it pretty well in relatively simple terms: think of Karate as an iron bar, think of Kung-Fu as an iron chain.\n\nBoth are very powerful, but emphasize different aspects (philosophies, reasonings, not necessarily movements) to fighting.\n\nTangibly, I would say it has been my experience in Korean systems at the beginning of my martial arts training, we practiced hard on blocking and then counter-attacking. Since my Chinese systems training, emphasis has been placed more so on evading while attacking simultaneously.
17601
Assuming you mean martial art, I started taking Aikido at age 36 and would recommend it for your consideration.  It is very low impact in that it involves more throwing and movement and very little kicking and hitting.  I think styles like Aikido are easier on the joints for us "old folks".
660562
Well, what you say is both true and not exactly true.\n\nSee ??? wrestling is the most dominant fighting style of all time. That much is undisputed. \n\nIn fact, the most dominant fighting style of current times is wrestling(http://www.sherdog.com/stats/upr_styles_current.asp) and the most dominant fighting style of all time is wrestling (http://www.sherdog.com/stats/upr_styles_alltime.asp) too.\n\nNow, that essentially translates into this:- \n\nIn a mixed martial arts enviroment, where fighting styles are pitted against other styles, cross trained wrestlers have been far superior performers then cross trained Judo practitioners, cross trained kickboxers or cross trained Brazillian Jiu Jitsu fighters.\n\nAlso, wrestling is essential for EVERYONE to learn, and is the underlying secret behind MMA success. See ?? you can NEVER take Brazillian Jiu Jitsu (fighters in Japan and Russian rarely do) in your life and still KO Ceaser Graie in what ?? 21 seconds like shoot wrestler Frank Shamrock did.\n\nUnbeatable champions like Fedor Emalianeko are wrestlers [Fedor studies Judo and Sambo, both forms of Internationally sanctioned amature wrestling under the International Association of Federated Wretling Styles (FILA)]. According to the Russian sensibilities "wrestling" is associated with Sambo, the Japanese sensibilities tilt towards accepting Judo as "wrestling' and the Americans think that wrestling as they know it is "Folkstyle/Collegiate". Intrestingly enough, there are as many forms of wrestling as there are cultures.\n\nAND, rival systems like BJJ incorporate single leg and doble leg takedowns,sprawls, slamming takedowns and a plethora of moves from freestyle wrestling [another wrestling discipline sanctioned by the international Association of Federated Wretling Styles (FILA)]. In fact, you can walk into a Mixed Martial arts enviroment and substitute Brazillian Jiu Jitsu with Catch wrestling or shoot wrestling or sambo wrestling, you can substitute Muai Thai with forms of kickboxing but wrestling stays in your curriculum whether you take shootfighting, Miletech martial arts, Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu. You get the idea.\n\nWrestling is that indispensible.\n\nThe fact is, nowadays everyone who is of note in mixed martial arts is a profiecient wrestler.\n\nHaving said all that, a pure wrestler against a man who has trained in wrestling + Brazillian Jiu Jitsu(or shootfighting)+ boxing will be at a disadvantage........quite simply because the other man knows wrestling and striking as well......\n\nexamples:-\n\n1) Olympic gold medal winner Kevin Jackson went against Shoot wrestler Frank Shamrock, got armbarred in 16 seconds.\n\n2) Pro wrestler Kazuyuki Fujita KO'ed Karam Ibrahim.\n\nWrestling as a single style martial arts is great, but in a mixed martial arts enviroment, where studying even an advanced hybrid system like Combat Submission Wrestling, Shoot wrestling and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu is not enough, any single style does not have the capability to defeat all styles combined.
149088
Here's the BIG question. And however I have another question in return to that one: what do you consider effective? Do you mean martially effective? or effective at clearing your mind or bringing inner peace? Martial Art = The art of war. What makes up a martial art: Percussion (striking), Projection (throwing), Immobilization (joint locks), and Armament (weaponry). Here are some examples of different systems:\n\nKarate: Okinawan. Covers Percussion. Civil Art. Kara- meaning open or empty depending on translation. -te originally meant Chinese Hand but they later changed it to just hand after the Chinese were driven out. Derived from White Crane Kung Fu. Believes in hardening the body against strikes and striking hard is the key.\n\nKung Fu: External Chinese. Most cover percussion, projection, and armament, with a few covering immobilization as well. Usually either martial or civil art. There are SO many systems within the term kung fu that it is hard to describe this system effectively. To say the least the best Kung Fu I have seen was in Dallas, and was translated to the Water-Fire Kung Fu.\n\nAikido / Aiki-jujutsu: Japanese. Covers immobilization with slight touch on projection. Civil Art. Was originally derived from Nihongo Jujutsu or Japanese Jujutsu (honestly I hate that I have to specify WHICH jujutsu compared to Brazilian or American… as if you would get an French taco or Russian sushi). Aikido has sadly become one of the snobbiest “styles” out there and they insist that what they do would work in real combat, although only about 10% of EVERYONE who is involved with that system knows what they’re doing. Though I will admit those that do, can do some beautiful Aiki.\n\nJudo: Japanese. Covers projection. Sport Art. Another derivative of Nihongo Jujutsu. A sport derived from the throwing system used in Japan’s combat. As with all sports, there are certain things that they threw out as “illegal moves” due to their effectiveness therefore making the “style” weaker.\n\nBrazilian: Japanese origin. Covers a portion of Immobilization and Projection. Martial Sport. This “style” was made famous by the Gracie family after they were originally taught by a Japanese man who refused to show them any more than the grappling section of Jujutsu. So they concentrated on the art of ground fighting. Most people that do Brazilian are extremely competitive and aggressive in nature.\n\nTaekwondo: Korean. Percussion. Sport Art. This is a primarily kicking “style” and is considered one of the most famous “styles” in use. Another system that is sport / competition based they rely heavily on flexible and fast legs. Originally a derivative from a certain school of Karate which name eludes me at this moment.\n\nKrav Maga: Israeli. Um… Percussion? Military wannabe. I REALLY don’t suggest this system unless you’re looking for a Billy Blanks on steroids kinda feel. This system was built to teach the foot soldiers of Israel a quick, brutal and less than effective hand-to-hand fighting method in a matter of a week, so seriously, don’t bother.\n\nThose Russian arts: Mainly knife junkies who think they know what they’re doing. More flashy than anything else, don’t fall for the hype.\n\nPilipino: Mostly Stick and knife, and they are not for the faint of heart, although not much art to the system, it seems those whom you can find who actually know what they’re doing are pretty good with a knife and stick but that’s it.\n\nMMA: Mixed martial arts. Probably the worst thing that has ever happened to martial arts besides Krav maga. The concept of mixing martial arts is taking a system that is inferior and mixing it with another inferior system to hopefully make up for the gaps left by the other one. For example: Karate doesn’t have Immobilization, so lets throw in Aikido and Brazilian, and those don’t have projection so lets throw in Judo, and all of those don’t have armament so lets throw in Pilipino. \n\nTh
1059247
I've got 32 years experience in a southern Chinese style of kung fu - (a five family system of Tsoi-Li-Ho-Fut-Hung ga) and hold a Master's rank.  This is a fighting style, not show or artsy style of kung fu.\n\nAs you said, there are hundreds of Chinese styles and some are mere showiness, with little, if any, actual fighting prowess.  However, there are also many which are devastating fighting arts.  They are brutal, direct, and deadly.  It depends on the style as well as the teacher and the student.  The best fighting art in the world is useless if the teacher can't teach it or the student refuses to do what is necessary to make the art effective -  i.e, train, work correctly, and not namby-pamby about as if the name of the art itself was like some magical talisman which protects against all comers.\n\nI have seen some outstanding Northern Shaolin style fighters! and I do NOT use the term fighter loosely.  These people were world class fighters by anyone's definition, anywhere.  I've also seen some who were so caught up in useless idiocies that all an actual fighter could do was to laugh at their sheer lunacy.\n\nThe sad thing is that many schools, not only Chinese, but Japanese, Korean, Thai, etc., in the country have degenerated into sort of McDojo's - run to get as many people thru as quickly as possible with as little skill as could possibly be imparted.\n\nThere are also some absolutely top FIGHTING schools in almost all of the arts (I'm not one who believes all styles are equally worthwhile - some are simply for show or sport ) but I am one who firmly believes that if someone in a good fighting style doesn't train well, doesn't take it seriously, doesn't fight full out when it's necessary - then that someone will be creamed by someone who's trained in an inferior art, but who took it very seriously.\n\nSo to try to answer you question a bit more directly - I think kung fu (again remembering that we're talking about hundreds of styles when we use this term) can be one of the most effective fighting arts on the planet.  It can also be one of the biggest jokes, depending on which art and which student we're discussing.  \n\nIf you are looking at any particular art for yourself, the best thing to do is to visit the school  Don't make your decision based on one day.  Visit a few times.  See how the people interact with the instructor and with each other.  If they don't even seem like they like each other or are obnoxiously cocky - run, don't walk, to the exit.  Are you required to sign a contract or do they go month to month and want you there because you want to learn?  (Both have their advocates, I'm a definite no-contract kind of guy).  Do they charge you to test? Or is the testing part of what they do because they are supposed to help you learn?  All of these are things you should find out and evaluate for yourself.\n\nIf you want a fighting art for self defense, find out how much time is actually put into that.  How much into form work.  How much into weapons skill.  If you are looking for competition, then find a school which specializes in that - not necessarily stuff that's actually effective on the street - but stuff that wows the judge and the audience.  So, basically, find what you want and go with it.
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Try doing a search on Yahoo Groups for 'martial arts'
929548
There is no "best" art. Shaolin Temple Boxing (Kung Fu) & Karate are both fine martial arts. There are more differences among different Chinese styles than there are between Chinese & Japanese styles or between Chinese & Korean styles etc.\nFind a good instructor & good luck.
1179222
you should study karate it uses all of your bodies weapons unlike boxing it only uses hands
1045089
I just picked up an article from a web site regarding the benefits of martial arts,hope this article can answer your question promptly.\nWhat are Martial Arts?\nMost of us are familiar with the term martial arts, whether it be from personal experience or from watching television shows or movies featuring the moves of this dazzling sport. Technically defined, martial arts are systems of combat and self-defense. Developed in various countries including China, Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines, martial arts systems have been around for centuries. Martial arts are now becoming more and more popular, especially amongst North Americans. Practiced not only as a way to learn self defense, martial arts allows followers to increase personal fitness, reduce stress, and improve mental health.\n\nHealth Benefits of Martial Arts\nMartial arts aren’t just about self-defense anymore, although this can still be a major benefit to practicing these sports. Instead, more and more men and women are turning to martial arts because of the vast array of health benefits associated with these fitness systems. Some of the health benefits that regular practice of a martial art can bring you include:\n\n\nincreased muscle strength \nheightened stamina \nweight loss and weight maintenance \nimproved flexibility \nbetter posture and balance \nimproved agility\n\nWhen combined with a healthy diet, regular practice of a martial art can even help to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. But the benefits of martial arts aren’t just physical – these sports also work wonders for your mental and emotional wellbeing, helping to:\n\n\nreduce stress \nimprove concentration \nincrease self confidence\n\nWhat Is Involved in Martial Arts?\nEach system of martial arts is different, however, most combine some of the following features:\n\n\nForms: Most martial arts involve the practice of various forms, which are poses or movements performed in a routine. These routines can be practiced alone or with a partner and may involve kicking, jumping, or punching. Forms are typically non-combative. \nSparring Most martial arts feature some type of sparring, whether it be light, moderate, or heavy contact. Sparring involves fighting with an opponent while protected with foam padding and other protective gear. \nSelf Defense: The major goal of most martial arts systems is self-defense. The moves that you will learn will increase your ability to defend yourself against another person’s advances, and help you to deal with physical confrontation.\n\n\nTypes of Martial Arts\nThere are dozens of different martial arts systems that you can become involved with. Here are a few of the most popular martial arts:\n\nKarate\nKarate is perhaps the most well known of all the martial arts systems. It is also the most widely-practiced martial art in North America. Originating on the island of Okinawa in Japan, karate literally means "open hand." This is because all of the movements involved in karate use the hand as the main weapon. In karate, participants focus all of their energy into one contact point in order to overcome their opponent. Most karate movements involve striking with the hands, feet, or elbows, however, the sport also involves some grappling. Karate is excellent for those who want to increase their overall fitness levels and improve their upper body strength and fitness.\n\nJudo\nJudo was derived from the martial arts system, Jujutso, and literally means the "gentle way." Judo teaches students how to use the strength and ability of their opponents in order to win the advantage in a match. It typically involves grappling, throwing, and rolling the opponent. Judo is excellent for those who are looking to improve their fitness levels without bulking up too much. It is particularly well-suited to women and people of smaller physical stature.\n\nTaekwondo\nTaekwondo was created in Korea in the 1950s as an offshoot of karate. It emphasizes kicking t