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 Written by Sanko Lewis
Various ways of labeling the martial arts are used. Some are defined as striking martial arts, others as grappling and other still as martial arts focusing on weaponry. They are also often described dichotomously, with terms such as hard style and soft style martial arts, external and internal martial arts, traditional and modern martial arts, and sport and combative systems. However, such pigeonholing is usually erroneous; many martial arts employ both striking and grappling techniques or hard...
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Written by Sanko Lewis
The martial arts are imbedded within specific cultures and are therefore build on certain worldviews; i.e. philosophical systems. Philosophical systems within martial arts generally include Fundamental Beliefs, Moral Values, Aesthetic Ideals and Technical Principles.
Asian styles often include Oriental philosophical concepts derived from culture specific philosophies like Taoism, Shinto, Confuncianism and Buddhism. Modern arts tend to derive their philosophical underpinnings from the... Written by Sanko Lewis
Although not all martial arts developed from actual warfare, it is true that the origin of many martial arts is rooted in the military traditions of various cultures. They were employed since the earliest civilizations required specialized fighting methods during tribal and later national conflicts.
An example of styles used specifically for warfare is the Japanese samurai that used ju-jitsu on the battlefield. The samurai’s arsenal included “open hand” techniques, as well as swords... Written by Sanko Lewis
Most historians believe that the martial arts originated from an Indian Zen Buddhist monk Bodhidharma (448-529 AD), who wanted to teach his student better focus through physical exercise. These movements, similar to Yoga-postures, evolved into means of self-defense. Since Buddhism originated in India, it is thought that it may have originated in India.
Searching for the origin of the martial arts one ought not forget about the boxing in Egypt in c. 4000 BC., the martial arts of Babylonia in... |