Different Styles of Martial Arts

The numerous methods of combat used across the world today are referred to as martial arts styles. Depending on the technique and aspect of fighting that you prefer to engage in, it is very important to research the available styles and differentiate between them. For example, you may choose a more defensive to offensive approach, to be skilled with or without weaponry, or use specific body parts to combat or defend incoming attacks.

If you prefer to remain standing and initiate blows from feet, fists, etc., a recommended martial arts style may karate, kickboxing, or kung fu. These styles will teach you to defend yourself by utilizing techniques that require exact positioning and proper balancing. Incoming attackers can be directed or subdued by practicing muscle memory, and countering attacks with accurate timing. Depending on the style, you may also learn severe pressure points, combination attacks, and takedowns. Breathing techniques will also play a vital role in nearly all martial arts styles.

On the other hand, if you prefer to grapple or wrestle rather than remain standing, you may be more comfortable partaking in forms of jui-jitsu or wrestling. These styles can be beneficial to individuals who utilize their body weight for power. From the ground, these styles will allow the artist to either continue attacking the opponent or choose to disable them. Defensive tactics also teaches you to reverse the situation if you are the one taken to the ground. Brazilian Jui-Jitsu, for example, will train students who are positioned on their backside to counter any hold and remove the attacker's position from top to bottom.

Weapon based styles include kendo and iaido, among others. These two styles are typically used in sword combat, and were extremely beneficial to the samurai. Students will more than likely train with bamboo sticks. Though swords were the original weapon involved, the style will also teach you to experience combat with a variety of weapons in close and distanced combat. The opposite of these styles is known as Krav Maga, which teaches unarmed combatants to disable attackers with weaponry. The technique teaches you to deal with real life experiences that may involve knifes and guns; a more advanced training similar to what police receive.

As you see, there are many different skills and techniques that some styles may focus more on. While martial arts is a very serious, enduring experience, it can also provide for self-defense tools. On the other hand, this knowledge and training utilized by the wrong person can also be threatening and lethal. If have included a link that details each style more distinctly.

Martial-arts-info.com (2009). Retrieved Nov 06, 2009 from http://www.martial-arts-info.com/119/krav-maga/