Choose your technique Aikido Taekwondo Kendo Judo Karate
Capoeira Sumo Tai Chi Jujutsu Muay Thai Wing Chun Hapkido
Slide 3
Aikido Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei
Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and
religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of
unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit."
Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to
defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.
Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and
redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it
head-on. This requires very little physical strength, as the
aikidka (aikido practitioner) "leads" the attacker's momentum using
entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with
various throws or joint locks. The word "aikido" is formed of three
kanji: ai joining, unifying, combining, fit ki spirit, energy,
mood, morale d way, path Therefore, from a purely linguistic point
of view, aikido is 'Way of combining forces'. In aikido, as in
virtually all Japanese martial arts, there are both physical and
mental aspects of training. The physical training in aikido is
diverse, covering both general physical fitness and conditioning,
as well as specific techniques. Because a substantial portion of
any aikido curriculum consists of throws, the first thing most
students learn is how to safely fall or roll. The specific
techniques for attack include both strikes and grabs; the
techniques for defense consist of throws and pins. After basic
techniques are learned, students study freestyle defense against
multiple opponents, and techniques with weapons. MENUMENU
Slide 4
Tae Kwon Do Tae Kwon Do, is a Korean martial art. It combines
combat and self-defense techniques with sport and exercise.
Taekwondo is characterized by its emphasis on head-height kicks,
jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. To
facilitate fast, turning kicks, taekwondo generally adopts stances
that are narrower and hence less-stable than the broader, wide
stances used by martial arts such as karate. The tradeoff of
decreased stability is believed to be worth the commensurate
increase in agility. This emphasis on speed and agility is a
defining characteristic of taekwondo and has its origins in
analyses undertaken by Choi Hong Hi. The results of that analysis
are known by ITF practitioners as Choi's Theory of Power. Choi's
Theory of Power is based on biomechanics and Newtonian physics. For
example, Choi observed that the power of a strike increases
quadratically with the speed of the strike, but increases only
linearly with the mass of the striking object. In other words,
speed is more important than size in terms of generating power.
This principle was incorporated into the early design of taekwondo
and is still used. The components of the Theory of Power include:
Reaction Force - the principle that as the striking limb is brought
forward, other parts of the body should be brought backward in
order to provide more power to the striking limb. As an example, if
the right leg is brought forward in a roundhouse kick, the right
arm is brought backward to provide the reaction force.
Concentration - focusing the mind and body together to make the
technique more powerful, with the principle of bringing as many
muscles as possible to bear on a strike, concentrating the area of
impact into as small an area as possible Equilibrium - wide long
stances of ITF style taekwondo as taught by General Choi require
increased emphasis on maintaining a correct center-of-balance
throughout a technique. WTF style Shorter unbalanced stances for
quicker dropping kicking techniques. Breath Control - the idea that
during a strike one should exhale, with the exhalation concluding
at the moment of impact Mass - the principle of bringing as much of
the body to bear on a strike as possible; again using the turning
kick as an example, the idea would be to rotate the hip as well as
the leg during the kick in order to take advantage of the hip's
additional mass in terms of providing power to the kick Speed - is
classed as the acceleration of a technique where it continues
passed the point of the target and doesn't de-accelerate.
Slide 5
Kendo Kendo, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese
martial art, which descended from swordsmanship (kenjutsu) and uses
bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armour (bgu). Kendo is a
physically and mentally challenging activity that combines martial
arts practices and values with sport-like strenuous physical
activity. Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through
the application of the principles of the katana. Modern kendo
techniques comprise both strikes and thrusts. Strikes are only made
towards specified target areas on the wrists, head, or body, all of
which are protected by armour. Techniques are divided into
shikake-waza (to initiate a strike) and ji-waza (a response to an
attempted strike): Shikake-waza These attack techniques are used to
create suki in an opponent by initiating an attack, or strike
boldly when your opponent has created a suki. Oji-waza These
counter-attack techniques are performed by executing a strike after
responding or avoiding an attempted strike by your opponent. This
can also be achieved by inducing the opponent to attack, then
employing one of the oji-waza.
Slide 6
Judo Judo (meaning "gentle way") is a modern martial art
created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature
is its competitive element, where the objective is to either throw
or takedown an opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise
subdue an opponent with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with
a joint lock or a choke. A judo practitioner is called a judoka.
There are a variety of techniques: Te-waza - hand throwing
techniques Koshi-waza - hip throwing techniques Ashi-waza - foot
throwing techniques Ma-sutemi - forward sacrifice projections
Yoko-sutemi - side sacrifice projections Osaekomi-waza - pins or
matholds Shime-waza - chokes or strangles Kansetsu-waza - joint
locks Atemi-waza - body-striking techniques: Ude-Ate-waza - arm
striking techniques
Slide 7
Karate Karate is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands
in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It developed from the indigenous
martial arts of Ryukyu Islands (called te, literally "hand") under
the influence of Chinese martial arts. Karate is now predominantly
a striking art using punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes
and open hand techniques such as knife-hands, spear-hands, and
palm-heel strikes. Historically and in some modern styles
grappling, throws, joint locks, restraints, and vital point strikes
are also taught. A karate practitioner is called a karateka. Karate
can be practiced as an art (bud), as a sport, as a combat sport, or
as self-defense training. Traditional karate places emphasis on
self-development (bud). Modern Japanese style training emphasizes
the psychological elements incorporated into a proper kokoro
(attitude) such as perseverance, fearlessness, virtue, and
leadership skills. Sport karate places emphasis on exercise and
competition. Weapons are an important training activity in some
styles of karate. Karate training is commonly divided into kihon
(basics or fundamentals), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).
Kihon - Typically this is performance in unison of a technique or a
combination of techniques by a group of karateka. Kihon may also be
prearranged drills in smaller groups or in pairs. Kata - Kata is a
formalized sequence of movements which represent various offensive
and defensive postures. Kumite - Sparring in Karate is called
kumite. It literally means "meeting of hands."
Slide 8
Capoeira Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines
elements of dance, acrobatics and music, and is sometimes referred
to as a game. It was developed in Brazil mainly by African
descendants with native Brazilian influences, probably beginning in
the 16th century. It is known for quick and complex moves, using
mainly power, speed, and leverage for a wide variety of kicks,
spins, and highly mobile techniques. Capoeira is a fast and
versatile martial art which is historically focused on fighting
outnumbered or in technological disadvantage. The ginga (literally:
rocking back and forth; to swing) is the fundamental movement in
capoeira, important both for attack and defense purposes. It has
two main objectives. One is to keep the capoeirista in a state of
constant motion, preventing him or her from being a still and easy
target. The other, using also fakes and feints, is to mislead,
fool, trick the opponent, leaving them open for an attack or a
counter-attack. The attacks in the capoeira should be done when
opportunity arises and must be decisive, like a direct kick in the
face or a vital body part, or a strong takedown. Most capoeira
attacks are made with the legs, like direct or swirling kicks,
rasteiras (leg sweeps), tesouras or knee strikes. The head strike
is a very important counter- attack move. Elbow strikes, punches
and other forms of takedowns complete the main list. The defense is
based on the principle of non-resistance, meaning avoiding an
attack using evasive moves instead of blocking it. Avoids are
called esquivas, which depend on the direction of the attack and
intention of the defender, and can be done standing or with a hand
leaning on the floor. A block should only be made when the esquiva
is not possible. This fighting strategy allows quick and
unpredictable counterattacks, the ability to focus on more than one
adversary and to face empty-handed an armed adversary.
Slide 9
Sumo Sumo is a competitive full-contact wrestling sport where a
rikishi (wrestler) attempts to force another wrestler out of a
circular ring (dohy) or to touch the ground with anything other
than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only
country where it is practiced professionally. Kimarite are winning
techniques in a sumo bout: Kihonwaza - Basic techniques. These,
with the exception of the rarely seen Abisetaoshi, are some of the
most common kimarite in sumo. Nagete - Throwing techniques. Kakete
- Leg tripping techniques. Hinerite - Twist down techniques. Sorite
- Backwards body drop techniques. Tokushuwaza - Special techniques.
The history of the kimarite goes back to the medieval Japanese era
when there were the traditional forty-eight kimarite or shijuuhatte
(forty-eight hands). At this time, the Japan Sumo Association
recognizes eighty-two types of kimarite, but only about a dozen are
used regularly.
Slide 10
Tai Chi T'ai chi ch'uan or tijqun, often shortened to t'ai chi,
taiji or tai chi, is an internal Chinese martial art practised for
both its defense training and its health benefits. Some of t'ai chi
ch'uan's training forms are especially known for being practiced
with relatively slow movement. The term "t'ai chi ch'uan"
translates as "supreme ultimate fist", "boundless fist", "supreme
ultimate boxing" or "great extremes boxing". T'ai chi ch'uan
training involves five elements, taolu (solo hand and weapons
routines/forms), neigong & qigong (breathing, movement and
awareness exercises and meditation), tuishou (response drills) and
sanshou (self defence techniques). While t'ai chi ch'uan is
typified by some for its slow movements, many t'ai chi styles
(including the three most popular Yang, Wu, and Chen) have
secondary forms with faster pace. Some traditional schools of t'ai
chi teach partner exercises known as tuishou ("pushing hands"), and
martial applications of the taolu's (forms') postures. The core
training involves two primary features: the first being taolu (solo
"forms"), a slow sequence of movements which emphasize a straight
spine, abdominal breathing and a natural range of motion; the
second being different styles of tuishou ("pushing hands") for
training movement principles of the form with a partner and in a
more practical manner. There are five major styles of t'ai chi
ch'uan, each named after the Chinese family from which it
originated: Chen-style of Chen Wangting (15801660) Yang-style of
Yang Lu-ch'an (17991872) Wu- or Wu (Hao)-style of Wu Yu-hsiang
(18121880) Wu-style of Wu Ch'uan-yu (18341902) and his son Wu
Chien-ch'uan (18701942) Sun-style of Sun Lu-t'ang (18611932)
Slide 11
Jujutsu Jujutsu is a Japanese martial art and a method of close
combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one
uses no weapon or only a short weapon. "J" can be translated to
mean "gentle, soft, supple, flexible, pliable, or yielding."
"Jutsu" can be translated to mean "art" or "technique" and
represents manipulating the opponent's force against himself rather
than confronting it with one's own force. Jujutsu may utilize all
forms of grappling techniques to some degree (i.e. throwing,
trapping, joint locks, holds, gouging, biting, disengagements,
striking, and kicking). Joint locks can be applied on anything that
bends, such as fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders or knees.
Application of locks might include gaining purchase for throwing
techniques, encouraging cooperation, submission, or restraining an
aggressor. Chokeholds including gi-chokes/strangulations (with the
lapel), and no-gi. Used primarily to kill or knock unconscious. In
combat, a choking technique might permanently dissociate the
windpipe from the ligament supporting it, causing death by
asphyxiation. Atemi is the art of striking pressure points or
physiological targets for kuzushi (breaking balance) or to
incapacitate an opponent. Takedown is a term for a technique that
involves off-balancing an opponent and bringing him or her to the
ground.
Slide 12
Wing Chun Wing Chun is a concept-based Chinese martial art and
form of self-defense utilising both striking and grappling while
specialising close-range combat. Wing Chun trains the awareness of
one's own body movement derived from muscular, tendon, and
articular sources. Wing Chun favours a high, narrow stance with the
elbows kept close to the body. Within the stance, arms are
positioned across the vitals of the centerline. Shifting or turning
within a stance is carried out variantly on the heels, balls, or
middle (K1 or Kidney 1 point) of the foot depending on lineage. All
attacks and counter-attacks are initiated from this firm, stable
base. Wing Chun rarely compromises structure for more powerful
attacks because this is believed to create defensive openings which
may be exploited. Due to the emphasis on the center line, the
straight punch is the most common strike in Wing Chun. The punch is
the most basic and fundamental in Wing Chun and is usually thrown
with the elbow down and in front of the body. Depending on the
lineage, the fist is held anywhere from vertical to horizontal
(palm side up). The contact points also vary from the top two
knuckles, to the middle two knuckles, to the bottom three knuckles.
The punches may be thrown in quick succession in a "straight blast"
or "chain punching". When executed correctly, it can be used as a
disorienting finisher. When executing the punch, you must relax and
use your shoulders. The punch comes from the body and not the arm.
Like most other punches in martial arts, Wing Chun punches with the
body. Kicks can be explicitly found in the Chum Kiu and Mook Jong
forms. Every kick is both an attack and defence, with legs being
used to check incoming kicks or to take the initiative in striking
through before a more circular kick can land. Kicks are delivered
in one movement directly from the stance without
chambering/cocking.
Slide 13
Muay Thai Muay Thai is a combat sport of Thailand that uses
stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This
physical and mental discipline which includes combat on shins is
known as "the art of eight limbs" because it is characterized by
the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins, being associated
with a good physical preparation that makes a full-contact fighter
very efficient. Formal Muay Thai techniques are divided into two
groups: mae mai or major techniques and luk mai or minor
techniques. Muay Thai is often a fighting art of attrition, where
opponents exchange blows with one another. Almost all techniques in
Muay Thai use the entire body movement, rotating the hip with each
kick, punch, elbow and block. Punching (Chok) techniques in Muay
Thai were originally quite limited being crosses and a long (or
lazy) circular strike made with a straight (but not locked) arm and
landing with the heel of the palm. Cross-fertilization with Western
boxing and western martial arts mean the full range of western
boxing punches are now used: lead jab, straight/cross, hook,
uppercut, shovel and corkscrew punches and overhands as well as
hammer fists and back fists. Elbow (Sok) techniques can be used in
several ways as a striking weapon: horizontal, diagonal-upwards,
diagonal- downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning and
flying. From the side it can be used as either a finishing move or
as a way to cut the opponent's eyebrow so that blood might block
his vision. The diagonal elbows are faster than the other forms,
but are less powerful. The Elbow strike is considered the most
dangerous form of attack in the sport. Kicking (Te), Knee (Ti
Khao), Foot-thrust (Thip) and Clinch and neck wrestling (Chap kho)
are four other techniques used in Muay Thai.
Slide 14
Hapkido Hapkido is a dynamic and highly eclectic Korean martial
art. It is a form of self-defense that employs joint locks,
grappling and throwing techniques of other martial arts, as well as
kicks, punches, and other striking attacks. There is also the use
of traditional weapons, including knife, sword, rope, jool bong
(nunchaku), cane, short stick (dan bong), and middle-length staff
(joong bong, gun, b (Japanese)) which vary in emphasis depending on
the particular tradition examined. Hapkido contains both long- and
close-range fighting techniques, utilizing jumping kicks and
percussive hand strikes at longer ranges and pressure point
strikes, joint locks, or throws at closer fighting distances.
Hapkido emphasizes circular motion, redirection of force, and
control of the opponent. Practitioners seek to gain advantage
through footwork and body positioning to incorporate the use of
leverage, avoiding the use of strength against strength. Hapkido
seeks to be a fully comprehensive fighting style and as such tries
to avoid narrow specialization in any particular type of technique
or range of fighting. It maintains a wide range of tactics for
striking, standing joint locks, throwing techniques (both pure and
joint manipulating throws) and pinning techniques. Some styles also
incorporate tactics for ground fighting although these tactics
generally tend to be focused upon escaping and regaining footing or
controlling, striking, and finishing a downed opponent, rather than
lengthy wrestling or submission grappling engagements. Proper
hapkido tactics include using footwork and a series of kicks and
hand strikes to bridge the distance with an opponent. Then to
immediately control the balance of the opponent (typically by
manipulating the head and neck), for a take down or to isolate a
wrist or arm and apply a joint twisting throw, depending upon the
situation; Hapkido is a comprehensive system and once the
opponent's balance has been taken, there are a myriad of techniques
to disable and subdue the opponent. Hapkido makes use of pressure
points known in Korean as hyeol which are also used in traditional
Asian medical practices such as acupuncture point. These pressure
points are either struck to produce unconsciousness or manipulated
to create pain allowing one to more easily upset the balance of
one's opponent prior to a throw or joint manipulation. Hapkido
emphasizes self-defense over sport fighting and as such employs the
use of weapons, including environmental weapons of opportunity, in
addition to empty hand techniques.
Slide 15
Summary Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of
combat practices, which are practiced for a variety of reasons:
self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness,
entertainment, as well as mental, physical, and spiritual
development. Although the term martial art has become associated
with the fighting arts of eastern Asia, it was originally referred
to the combat systems of Europe as early as the 1550s. The term is
derived from Latin, and means "arts of Mars", the Roman god of war
Martial arts may be categorized along a variety of criteria,
including: Traditional or historical arts vs. contemporary styles
of folk wrestling and modern hybrid martial arts. Techniques
taught: Armed vs. unarmed, and within these groups by type of
weapon (swordsmanship, stick fighting etc.) and by type of combat
(grappling vs. striking; stand-up fighting vs. ground fighting) By
application or intent: self-defense, combat sport, choreography or
demonstration of forms, physical fitness, meditation, etc. Within
Chinese tradition: "external" vs. "internal" styles Martial arts
training aims to result in several benefits to trainees, such as
their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Through
systematic practice in the martial arts a person's physical fitness
may be boosted (strength, stamina, flexibility, movement
coordination, etc.) as the whole body is exercised and the entire
muscular system is activated. Beyond contributing to physical
fitness, martial arts training also has benefits for mental health,
contributing to self-esteem, self-control, emotional and spiritual
well-being. For this reason, a number of martial arts schools have
focused purely on therapeutic aspects, de-emphasizing the
historical aspect of self-defense or combat completely. HOME
Menu