Uses and Benefit

Uses and benefits

Initially, the object of martial arts was self-defence and the preservation of life.

Today, these needs continue to exist but do not constitute any longer the primary reason why an individual would busy themselves with them. Training in martial arts imparts many benefits to the trainee, both corporal and spiritual.

Through systematic practice in the martial arts a person's physical fitness is boosted (strength, stamina, flexibility, movement coordination, etc.,) as the whole body is exercised and the whole muscular system is activated.

In connection with the learning of correct breathing and an improved and wholesome diet, martial arts are an effective way of fighting many problems and diseases of contemporary society and sedentary life, and, generally, of a weakened immunity system.

Self-control, determination and concentration characterize the trainee, who always reacts productively and without stress when the circumstances demand it. Self-defence, then, and strong self-control.

Through training, each individual gets to know themselves and their capabilitites better as well as their sense of respect and right.


According to Bruce Lee, martial arts also have the nature of an art, since there is emotional communication and complete emotional expression.

Martial arts may also be described as a way for the individual to discover himself and his environment.

Martial Art - Variation and Scope

Variation and scope

Some arts have a very specific focus while others, such as Mixed martial arts, are more syncretic.

Martial arts vary widely, and may focus on a specific area or combination of areas, but they can be broadly grouped into focusing on strikes, grappling, or weapons training.

Below is a list of examples that make extensive use of one these areas; it is not an exhaustive list of all arts covering the area, nor are these necessarily the only areas covered by the art but are the focus or best known part as examples of the area:

Striking
Punching: Boxing (Western), Wing Chun
Kicking: Capoeira, Kickboxing, Savate, Taekwondo

Other strikes:
Elbows and knees: Muay Thai

Open-hand: Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu

Grappling
Throwing: Glima, Judo, Jujutsu, Sambo

Joint lock/Submission holds: Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Hapkido

Pinning Techniques: Judo, Wrestling

Weaponry
Traditional Weaponry: Fencing, Gatka, Kendo, Kyūdō, Eskrima

Modern Weaponry: Jukendo, Shooting sports

Many martial arts, especially those from Asia, also teach side disciplines which pertain to medicinal practices.

This is particularly prevalent in traditional Chinese martial arts which may teach bone-setting, qigong, acupuncture, acupressure (tui na), and other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine.

Martial Art

Martial Art

What is martial arts?

Martial arts or fighting arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat.

Martial arts all have a very similar objective: defend oneself or others from physical threat. In addition, some martial arts are linked to beliefs such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism or Shinto while others follow a particular code of honor.

Martial arts are considered as both an art and a science.

Many arts are also practiced competitively, most commonly as combat sports, but may also take the form of dance.


The term martial arts refers to the art of warfare (derived from Mars, the Roman god of war) and comes from a 15th-century European term for fighting arts now known as historical European martial arts.

A practitioner of martial arts is referred to as a martial artist.


In popular culture, the term martial arts often specifically refers to Asian fighting styles, especially the combat systems that originated in East Asia. However, the term actually refers to any codified combat system, regardless of origin.

Europe is home to many extensive systems of martial arts, both living traditions (e.g. Jogo do Pau and other stick and sword fencing and Savate, a French kicking style developed by sailors and street fighters) and older systems of historical European martial arts that have existed through the present, many of which are now being reconstructed.

In the Americas, Native Americans have traditions of open-handed martial arts including wrestling, and Hawaiians have historically practiced arts featuring small- and large-joint manipulation. A mix of origins is found in the athletic movements of Capoeira, which African slaves developed in Brazil based on skills they had brought from Africa.


While each style has unique facets that make it different from other martial arts, a common characteristic is the systematization of fighting techniques.


Methods of training vary and may include sparring (simulated combat) or formal sets or routines of techniques known as forms or kata. Forms are especially common in the Asian and Asian-derived martial arts.