Martial artsare systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat. Though studied for various reasons, broadly speaking, martial arts share a single objective: to defeat a person physically or to defend oneself from physical threat. Some martial arts are linked to spiritual or religious beliefs/philosophies such as Buddhism, Daoism or Shinto while others have their own spiritual/non-spiritual code of honour.Martial arts are commonly associated with East Asian cultures, but are by no means unique to Asia. Throughout Europe there was an extensive system of combat martial arts, collectively referred to as Historical European martial arts, that existed until modern times and are now being reconstructed by several organizations while Savate is a French kicking style developed by sailors and street fighters. In the Americas Native Americans have a tradition of open-handed martial arts, that includes wrestling and Hawaiians have historically practiced arts featuring small and large joint manipulation, a mix of origins occur in the athletic movements of Capoeira that was created in Brazil by slaves, based on skills brought with them from Africa.While each style has unique facets that makes it different from other martial arts, a common characteristic is the systemization of fighting techniques. Methods of training vary and may include sparring or forms (kata), which are sets or routines of techniques that are performed alone, or sometimes with a partner, and which are especially common in the Asian and Asian-derived martial arts,[1].The word 'martial' derives from the name of Mars, the Roman god of war. The term 'Martial Arts' literally means arts of Mars. This term comes from 15th century Europeans who were referring to their own fighting arts that are today known as Historical European martial arts. A practitioner of martial arts is referred to as amartial artist.Variation and scopeMartial 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:

Modern historyIn many countries local arts like Te in Okinawa,[4]Kenjutsu and Ju-Jutsu in Japan,[5]and Taekyon and Soobak in Korea[6]mixed with other martial arts and evolved to produce some of the more well-known martial arts in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries like Karate, Aikido, and Taekwondo.The Western interest in East Asian Martial arts dates back to the late 19th century, due to the increase in trade between America with China and Japan. Relatively few Westerners actually practiced the arts, considering it to be mere performance.Edward William Barton-Wright, a railway engineer who had studied Jujutsu while working in Japan between 189497, was the first man known to have taught Asian martial arts in Europe. He also founded an eclectic martial arts style named Bartitsu which combined jujutsu, judo, boxing, savate and stick fighting.As Western influence grew in East Asia a greater number of military personnel spent time in China, Japan, and Korea. Exposure to martial arts during the Korean war was also significant.The later 1970s and 1980s witnessed an increased media interest in the martial arts, thanks in part to Asian and Hollywood martial arts movies. Jackie Chan and Jet Li are prominent movie figures who have been responsible for promoting Chinese martial arts in recent years.EuropeMartial arts existed in classical European civilization, most notably in Greece where sports were integral to the way of life. Boxing (pygme,pyx), Wrestling (pale) and Pankration (frompan, meaning "all", andkratos, meaning "power" or "strength") were represented in the Ancient Olympic Games. The Romans produced Gladiatorial combat as a public spectacle.A number of historical fencing forms and manuals have survived, and many groups are working to reconstruct older European martial arts. The process of reconstruction combines intensive study of detailed combat treatises produced from 14001900 A.D. and practical training or "pressure testing" of various techniques and tactics. This includes such styles as sword and shield, two-handed swordfighting, halberd fighting, jousting and other types of melee weapons combat. This reconstruction effort and modern outgrowth of the historical methods is generally referred to as Western martial arts. Many Medieval martial arts manuals have survived, the most famous being Johannes Lichtenauer'sFechtbuch(Sword Tome) of the 14th century. Today Lichtenauer's tome forms the basis of the German school of swordsmanship.In Europe, the martial arts declined with the rise of firearms. As a consequence, martial arts with historical roots in Europe do not exist today to the same extent as in Asia, since the traditional martial arts either died out or developed into sports. Swordsmanship developed into fencing. Boxing as well as forms of wrestling have endured. European martial arts have mostly adapted to changing technology so that while some traditional arts still exist, military personnel are trained in skills like bayonet combat and marksmanship. Some European weapon systems have also survived as folk sports and as self-defense methods. These include stick-fighting systems such as Jogo do Pau of Portugal and the Juego del Palo style(s) of the Canary Islands.Other martial arts evolved into sports that no longer recognized as combative. One example is the pommel horse event in men's gymnastics, an exercise which itself is derived from the sport of Equestrian vaulting. Cavalryriders needed to be able to change positions on their horses quickly, rescue fallen allies, fight effectively on horseback and dismount at a gallop. Training these skills on a stationery barrel evolved into sport of gymnastics' pommel horse exercise. More ancient origins exist for the shot put and the javelin throw, both weapons utilized extensively by the Romans.AmericasNative peoples of North America and South America had their own martial training which began in childhood. Some First Nations men and more rarely, some women were called warriors only after they had proved themselves in battle. Most groups selected individuals for training in the use bows, knives, blowguns, spears, and war clubs in early adolescence. War clubs were the preferred martial weapon because Native American warriors could raise their social status by killing enemies in single combat face to face.[citation needed]Warriors honed their weapons skills and stalking techniques through lifelong training.Okichitaw is a martial art based on Plains Cree of the Canadian Prairies that specialises in the distinctive gunstock war club, but also encorporates the use of bow, knife, long and short lance and tomahawk as well as grappling and striking techniques.Capoeira, with roots in Africa, is a martial art originating in Brazil that involves a high degree of flexibility and endurance. It consists of kicks, elbow strikes, head butts, and sweeps. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an adaptation of pre-World War II Judo and jujutsu. Created by Carlos Gracie and his brother Hlio, it was restructured into a sport with a large focus on groundwork. This system has become a popular martial art and proved to be effective in mixed martial arts competitions such as the UFC and PRIDE.[7]As of 2003, over 1.5 million US citizens practice martial arts.[8]AfricaAfrican knives may be classified by shape typically into the 'group and the 'circular' group and have often been incorrectly described as throwing knives.[9]There are also wrestling and grappling techniques found in West Africa. "Stick fighting" formed an important part of Zulu culture in South Africa.Modern historyWrestling, Javelin, Fencing (1896 Summer Olympics), Archery (1900), Boxing (1904), and more recently Judo (1964) and Tae Kwon Do (2000) are the martial arts that are featured as events in the modern Summer Olympic Games.Martial arts also developed among military and police forces to be used as: arrest and self-defense methods. Examples include:Krav Maga: a self-defense system developed by the special armed forces of Israel;San Shou: developed for Chinese armed forces;Kombato: developed for the Brazilian armed forces; andRough and Tumble (RAT): originally developed for the South African special forces (Reconnaissance Commandos) (now taught in a civilian capacity). tactical arts for use in close quarter combat warfare, i.e. Military Martial arts e.g. UAC (British), LINE (USA).Other combative systems having their origins in the modern military include Soviet Bojewoje (Combat) Sambo.On the modern battlefieldSome traditional martial concepts have seen new use within modern military training. Perhaps the most recent example of this is point shooting which relies on muscle memory to more effectively utilize a firearm in a variety of awkward situations, much the way an iaidoka would master movements with their sword.During the World War II era William E. Fairbairn, a Shanghai policeman and a leading Western expert on Asian fighting techniques, was recruited by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) to teach Jujutsu to UK, U.S. and Canadian Special Forces. The bookKill or Get Killed, written by Colonel Rex Applegate, became a classic military treatise on hand-to-hand combat. This fighting method was called Defendu.Traditional hand-to-hand, knife, and spear techniques continue to see use in the composite systems developed for today's wars. Examples of this include the US Army's Combatives system developed by Matt Larsen, the Israeli army trains its soldiers in Krav Maga, the US Marine Corps'sMarine Corps Martial Arts Program(MCMAP), and Chinese San Shou.Unarmed dagger defenses identical to that found in the fechtbuch of Fiore dei Liberi and the Codex Wallerstein were integrated into the U.S. Army's training manuals in 1942[10]and continue to influence today's systems along with other traditional systems such as Kali and Escrima.The rifle-mounted bayonet, which has its origin in the spear, has seen use by the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, and the British Army as recently as the Iraq War.[11]Testing and competitionTesting or evaluation is important to martial art practitioners of many disciplines who wish to determine their progression or own level of skill in specific contexts. Students within individual martial art systems often undergo periodic testing and grading by their own teacher in order to advance to a higher level of recognized achievement, such as a different belt color or title. The type of testing used varies from system to system but may includeformsorsparring.Various forms and sparring are commonly used in martial art exhibitions and tournaments. Some competitions pit practitioners of different disciplines against each other using a common set of rules, these are referred to as mixed martial arts competitions. Rules for sparring vary between art and organization but can generally be divided intolight-contact,medium-contact, andfull-contactvariants, reflecting the amount of force that should be used on an opponent.Light- and medium-contactThese types of sparring restrict the amount of force that may be used to hit an opponent, in the case of light sparring this is usual to 'touch' contact, e.g. a punch should be 'pulled' as soon as or before contact is made. In medium-contact the punch would not be 'pulled' but not hit with full force. As the amount of force used is restricted, the aim of these types of sparring is not to knock out an opponent; a point system is used in competitions.A referee acts to monitor for fouls and to control the match, while judges mark down scores, as in boxing. Particular targets may be prohibited (such as the face or groin), certain techniques may be forbidden, and fighters may be required to wear protective equipment on their head, hands, chest, groin, shins or feet. In some styles (such as fencing and some styles of taekwondo sparring), competitors score points based on the landing of a single technique or strike as judged by the referee, whereupon the referee will briefly stop the match, award a point, then restart the match. Alternatively, sparring may continue with the point noted by the judges.Some critics of point sparring feel that this method of training teaches habits that result in lower combat effectiveness. Lighter-contact sparring may be used exclusively, for children or in other situations when heavy contact would be inappropriate (such as beginners), medium-contact sparring is often used as training for full-contact.Full-contact"Full-contact"sparring or fighting is considered by many to be requisite in learning realistic unarmed combat. Full-contact sparring is different from light and medium-contact sparring in several ways, including reduced use (or no use) of protective gear and the use of strikes that are not pulled but are thrown with full force, as the name implies. In full-contact sparring, the aim of a competitive match is either to knock out the opponent or to force the opponent to submit. Full-contact sparring may include a wider variety of permitted attacks and contact zones on the body.Where scoring takes place it may be a subsidiary measure, only used if no clear winner has been established by other means; in some competitions, such as the UFC 1, there was no scoring. Due to these factors, full-contact matches tend to be more aggressive in character, but rule sets may still mandate the use of protective gloves and forbid certain techniques or actions during a match, such as punching the back of the head.Nearly all mixed martial arts leagues such as UFC, Pancrase, Shooto use a form full-contact rules, as do professional boxing organizations and K-1. Kyokushin karate requires advanced practitioners to engage in bare-knuckled, full-contact sparring while wearing only a karategiand groin protector but does not allow strikes to the face, only kicks and knees. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo matches do not allow striking, but are full-contact in the sense that full force is applied in the application during grappling and submission techniques.Sparring debatesSome practitioners believe that sports matches with rules are not a good measure of hand-to-hand combat ability and training for these restrictions may inhibit effectiveness in self defence situations. These practitioners may prefer not to participate in most types of rule-based martial art competition (even one such as vale tudo where there are minimal rules), electing instead to study fighting techniques with little or no regard to competitive rules or, even perhaps, ethical concerns and the law (the techniques practiced may include attacking vulnerable spots such as the groin or the eyes). Others maintain that, given proper precautions such as a referee and a ring doctor, sparring, in particular full-contact matches with basic rules, serves as a useful gauge of an individual's overall fighting ability, and that failing to test techniques against a resisting opponent is more likely to impede ability in such situations.Martial sportJudo and Tae Kwon Do as well as western archery, boxing, javelin, wrestling and fencing are currently events in the Summer Olympic Games. Chinese wushu recently failed in its bid to be included, but is still actively performed in tournaments across the world. Practitioners in some arts such as kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu often train for sport matches, whereas those in other arts such as Aikido and Wing Chun generally spurn such competitions. Some schools believe that competition breeds better and more efficient practitioners, and gives a sense of good sportsmanship. Others believe that the rules under which competition takes place have diminished the combat effectiveness of martial arts or encourage a kind of practice which focuses on winning trophies rather than a focus such as cultivating a particular moral character.As part of the response to sport martial arts, new forms of competition are being held such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the U.S. or Pancrase, and the PRIDE in Japan which are also known as mixed martial arts (or MMA) events. The original UFC was fought under very few rules allowing all martial arts styles to enter and not be limited by the rule set.Some martial artists also compete in non-sparring competitions such as breaking or choreographed techniques poomse, kata or aka. Modern variations of the martial arts include dance-influenced competitions such as tricking.Some martial traditions have been influenced by governments to become more sport-like for political purposes. The central impetus for the attempt by the People's Republic of China in transforming Chinese martial arts into the committee-regulated sport of Wushu was suppressing what they saw as the potentially subversive aspects of martial training, especially under the traditional system of family lineages.[12]

Worldwide there is a great diversity of martial arts. Broadly speaking, martial arts share a common goal: to defeat a person physically or to defend oneself from physical threat. Within most martial arts there is a deep sense of spirituality. Every style has a different "feeling" that helps embody the martial art.Each martial art has its own history and goalsnote:the information on this page has been sourced from wikipedia.comThe history of martial arts around the world is complex. Most groups of people have had to defend themselves at some time and have developed fighting techniques for that purpose. Development of many martial arts was related to military development also. However, many of those techniques have been rendered technologically obsolete over the centuries. Even at an individual, rural level, the threat to the safety of a group of people is now more likely to come from modern weaponry such as automatic rifles than from men with swords. Furthermore, the preservation of a martial art requires many years of teaching at the hands of a good teacher to pass on the art for a single generation. So it is relatively unlikely that a particular martial art would survive and become popular in today's culture, and each art that has done so has a unique history.Martial arts in AsiaEarly historyThe teaching of martial arts in Asia has historically followed the cultural traditions of teacher-disciple apprenticeship. Students are trained in a strictly hierarchical system by a master instructor: Sifu in Cantonese, Lao Shih, lo sh (lit., old master) in Chinese; Shih fu, Sh f (lit., the master-father) in Mandarin; Guru in Hindi and Sanskrit; Sensei in Japanese; Kwan Jang Nim in (Korean). The instructor is expected to directly supervise their students' training, and the students are expected to memorize and recite as closely as possible the rules and basic training routines of the school.In the warrior Kshatriya caste of India, organised martial traditions were studied as a part of the Dharma (duty) of the caste. The senior teachers were called Gurus and taught martial arts at gurukuls to young Kshatriyas. The examples of such Guru-shishya tradition (teacher-disciple tradition) is especially notable in case of Dronacharya, the guru to the Kauravas and the Pandavas.In a Confucian influenced martial art, students with more seniority are considered older brothers and sisters; those with less seniority as younger brothers and sisters. Such clearly delineated relationships are designed to develop good character, patience and discipline.Some method of certification can be involved, where one's skills would be tested for mastery before being allowed to study further; in some systems, especially in China, there may not have been any such certifications, only years of close personal practice and evaluation under a master, much like an apprenticeship, until the master deems one's skills satisfactory. This pedagogy, while still preserved and respected in many traditional styles, has weakened to varying degrees in others and is even actively rejected by some schools, especially in the West.Along with East Asia, martial arts were also studied in Cambodia, India, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, South America, and almost every other corner of the Earth. This in turn led to further exploration of disciplines from China, Korea, and Japan for their historical and cultural value.For example, the island of Hawaii, though isolated, has a tradition of martial arts related to joint locks and manipulation.A number of martial arts were developed in ancient India, including Mallayuddha, Kuttu Varisai (empty hand combat), Varma Kalai (the art of vital points), Adithada (kickboxing) and Kalari Payattu (way of the arena).In Indonesia, a large number of arts under the umbrella of Silat may also include Kateda and Sindo. Kuntao styles are found across this region. It is difficult to pin down the origin of these arts, which are claimed to be indigenous but nonetheless have much in common with Qigong, Yiquan, and possibly Shaolin Wushu. They have both internal and external qualities so perhaps could be seen as an original hybridization of other arts, the origins of which are lost in the mists of time.Modern historyThe Western interest in East Asian Martial Arts dates back to the late 19th Century, due to the increase in trade between America and China and Japan. Relatively few Westerners actually practiced the arts, considering it to be mere performance. Many of the first demonstrations of the martial arts in the West were performed by Asians in vaudeville shows, which served to further reinforce the perception of the martial arts as dramatic performance.As Western influence grew in the East a greater number of military personnel spent time in China, Japan, Korea and elsewhere. Exposure to martial arts during the Korean war was also significant. Gradually some soldiers began to see the value of Eastern martial arts and began training in them.William E. Fairbairn, a Shanghai policeman and at the time a leading Western expert on Asian fighting techniques was recruited during World War II by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) to teach UK, U.S. and Canadian Commando and Ranger forces Jujitsu. The book Kill or Get Killed, written by Colonel Rex Applegate, who worked closely with Fairbairn to train the "First Special Service," a joint U.S. and Canadian army unit, became a classic military treatise on hand to hand combat. The fighting method was called "Defendo". A modern variation that can trace a lineage to Applegate is "Combato" (Jen Do Tao) as taught by Shihan Bradley Steiner (10th Dan).With large numbers of American servicemen stationed in Japan after World War II, the adoption of techniques and the gradual transmission of entire systems of martial arts to the West started. It was in the 1950's, however, when this exportation of systems really began to gain momentum. Large groups of U.S. Military personnel were taught Korean arts (Taekwondo) during the Korean conflict, and many of these brought their training home and continued to practice and teach after their demobilization. By the 1960s, Japanese arts like Karate and Judo had become very popular. The early 1970s saw martial arts movies, due in part to martial artist Bruce Lee, cause the rise in popularity of Chinese martial arts (kung fu).This exportation of the martial arts led to such styles as sport karate, which became a major international sport, with professional fighters, big prizes, television coverage, and sponsorship deals.The later 1970s and 1980s witnessed an increased media interest in the martial arts, thanks in part to Asian and Hollywood martial arts movies and very popular television shows like "Kung-Fu" and "The Green Hornet" that incorporated martial arts moments or themes

There are several hundred martial art systems, here are some. We recognize it is not a complete listing and would be glad to add to, update or correct this listing. If you would like to contribute,email us.Aikido- Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (often referred to by his title 'O Sensei' or 'Great Teacher'). On a purely physical level it is an art involving some throws and joint locks that are derived from Jujitsu and some throws and other techniques derived from Kenjutsu. Aikido focuses not on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to throw them away from you. It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement. On the technical side, aikido is rooted in several styles of jujitsu (from which modern judo is also derived), in particular daitoryu-(aiki) jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting arts. Oversimplifying somewhat, we may say that aikido takes the joint locks and throws from jujitsu and combines them with the body movements of sword and spear fighting. However, we must also realize that many aikido techniques are the result of Master Ueshiba's own innovation.Bando Thaing- Bando is credited as a style of armed and unarmed combat native to Burma. It is an assimilation of Karate-like striking and kicking techniques, Judo-like throwing techniques, swordplay and fighting with knives, spears and sticks. There are numerous interpretations of the term Bando, and different linguistic and ethnic groups hold to diverse translations. There are many styles of Bando, but most follow basic instructional patterns. The art emphasizes initial withdrawal followed by an attack outside the opponent's reach. All parts of the body are employed in these attacks, and once the initial technique is delivered, grappling and locking techniques are used. Techniques are learned first through formal exercises in some systems and only later through sparring.Capoeira-Capoeira (pronounced Capo-wa-ra), a fun and exciting sport, is a Brazilian art form and self-defense; with strong aerobic and dance elements. It is a mixture of body and soul, fighting and dancing, of music instruments and voice requiring the use of mental physical and emotional agility. The emphasis is not on how well you sing or perform but on how much energy you commit to trying. It is a harmony of forces that gives you power, flexibility, endurance and self-discovery. Participants form a circle and 2 people at a time exhibit their skills in eluding and striking their opponent. The blows are not landed. What results is a highly aerobic, and fun mock fight with some very impressive moves. (The music is infectious also!) This is growing in popularity as a fun alternative to aerobics.Chanbara- Over thirty years ago Japanese martial artists and swordmasters came together and created a better training style. The founder, Tanabe Tetsundo and his group of some of the strongest swordsmen in Japan called this new school of thought Goshindo, later nicknamed Chanbara. These martial artists and masters were very traditional. They also knew that the times were changing and decided to educate today's public in the way of the modern Japanese Samurai. New materials made out of flexible plastics and the constant refining of swords for combat in the 21st century proved to be a stroke of genius.Choi Kwang Do- Choi Kwang Do was developed by Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi between 1978 and 1987 and has proven to be the most effective martial arts system in the world. Choi Kwang Dos natural, easy-to-learn, sequential movements maximize your bodys force-producing capabilities, but more importantly, they increase opportunities to enhance your health. Its a unique program based on modern scientific principles from human anatomy, physiology (the branch of biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms), psychology (the science of mental life), kinesiology (the branch of physiology that studies mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement), neurophysiology (the branch of neuroscience that studies the physiology of the nervous system) and biomechanics (human movement science).Choi Kwang Do is not designed for competition and does not follow the intensity of sports training. The system is meant for all individuals who want to learn real-life, practical self-defense skills and achieve a greater level of health and well-being, not people solely interested in winning trophies. Because its a non-contact, non-fighting, non-competitive art that stresses mental, physical, emotional and social development, Choi Kwang Do promotes non-violent resolutions to conflict, practical solutions to cardiovascular improvement, and enjoyable methods of exercise. In addition, with competition removed, students can continually develop notagainst each other, but with each other. With a progressive system from White belt to the highest level of 9thDegree Black belt, Choi Kwang Do always offers you something new and challenging to learn, experience and enjoy.Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu-The art of Daito ryu is one of the oldest traditions of Japanese ko ryu bujutsu. Its origin lies in the convergence of several martial disciplines which came together in the Aizu clan, where formal bujutsu instruction was a priority. The creation of theNishinkan[akin to a martial art university], with all its separate dojos and a diversity of arts being taught, is only part of the circumstances that favored the development of Daito ryu within the Aizu domain. One determining factor is, to a certain degree, coincidental, since it was in Aizu where certain families and individuals came together, bringing with them their own arts, experiences, and expertise in jujutsu, swordsmanship, spearmanship, horsemanship, archery, strategy, and other war-related arts. Other non-martial arts were also valued such as calligraphy, poetry, healing arts, ethics, etiquette, and other areas of learning more related to peace.Overall, etiquette was the cohesive link among all these disciplines, for the spirit and conduct of the warrior was equated to, and sometimes used to measure, his true worth and fighting skills.The more traditional lines of Daito ryu today still give priority to the spiritual training of the student, and judges his or her progress by means of character, dedication, humility, willingness to contribute to the welfare of the dojo, the progress of the fellow students, and other traits that show a loyal and selfless spirit. These make a student worthwhile to be instructed in the inner secrets of the art. Hence, the teachings are geared to train and test spirit and character first, and techniques are taught accordingly.Gatka- Gatka is the martial art of the Sikhs, and is tied in with the religion Sikhism. It's a weapons-based martial art, which was imparted to the Sikhs in the time of Guru Hargobind Ji (the sixth Guru of the Sikhs) by the Rajputs (Hindu warriors of northern India) in the 16th century, in gratitude for their release from imprisonment by the fledgling Sikh army of that time. The Sikhs at that time opposed the Mughal Empire, which violently oppressed both Sikhs and Hindus in the name of Islam.Haidong Gumdo- Haidong Gumdo is a Korean sword art which draws from battlefield tactics and techniques to build a curriculum for mental, physical and spiritual development. Students learn forms, step drills, sitting and moving meditation, sparring as well as bamboo and straw cutting. Unlike Kendo and its Korean equivalent, Kumdo, the focus in Haidong Gumdo is not duelling but on the tactics of outdoor, pitched battles. Powerful, complex and beautiful, Haidong Gumdo is a wonderful style which can be pursued throughout your life. Haidong Gumdo means many things to many people. On the surface it is a martial system which preserves and promotes the Korean approach to sword techniques. The dynamic movements and visible power of the forms capture the eye and imagination. Graceful, flowing motion, harnessing lethal power is one way to describe Haidong Gumdo.Hapkido-Hapkido is a discipline of coordination, a way of strengthening the mind and body, of fusing the individuals physical and mental powers so that he or she will emerge as a more fully integrated human being. The word in fact means; Method or Way (DO) for the coordination Harmony (HAP) of mental Energy or spirit (KI). One should always try to avoid violence, but if someone grabs you, attempts to strike you, or physically assaults you in any way, it has escalated beyond words, and you are left with the only option which is to defend.Hwa Rang Do- Hwa Rang Do, teaches that in order to attain maximum human potential, one must attain a state of balance and maintain harmony with natural laws of the universe. The theory of Um-Yang states that in nature there is co-existence of polar dichotomies. For every one, there is an equal opposite. Hwa Rang Do, is a combination of UM {soft/circular movement} and YANG {hard/linear movement}, making it one of the most diversified and comprehensive martial arts to be found in the world. It's study integrates the spiritual, mental, and physical disciplines enabling its practitioners to realize their full potential in all areas of life. The techniques are derived in accord with the principles of Um-Yang. Three Elements of Um, the essence of Hwa Rang Do, soft techniques: Yu - soft, fluid force of flowing water. The power of Yu is deceptive; relenting under force; it draws its attack into its own stream of power and re-directs it. Won - is movement in circular directions. Its power may be seen in the rock at the end of a sling, or the power developed from a spinning motion. Hwa - as the third element of Um, it represents unity and combination. Three Elements of Yang, the essence of Hwa Rang Do, hard techniques; Kang - is hard like steel or stone. Its power is illustrated in the form of a closed fist in a thrust punch or a straight front kick. Kak - means angles. Its form is found in the correct angle of the joint when applying breaking and throwing techniques or straight angular blocks. Kan - means maintaining proper distance. It is the opposite aspect of Hwa or combination and its form is found in understanding the distance between two opponents. Hwa Rang Do, teaches both the martial art (moo-sul) and healing art (in-sul). If one is able to injure or worse, then he/she should know how to heal as well, once again maintaining harmony through balance of opposites.Iaido- One of the Japanese traditional Budo concerned with drawing the blade and cutting in the same motion. (Budo means martial arts or military arts in Japan). A typical form consists of the draw and cut, a finishing cut, cleaning the blade and returning it to the scabbard, all without looking away from the imaginary opponent. Most practice is solo, eventually with shin-ken (a real blade). In contrast with Kendo, Iaido is performed without protective coverings of any kind. Students must strive to achieve power, precision and perfection in their form. Along the way they learn balance, grace, and control both of the body and the mind. Iaido dealt more with everyday situation rather than those on the battlefield. The term "Iai" is taken from the Japanese phrase: "Tsune ni ite, kyu ni awasu". The meaning of this is, whatever we may be doing or wherever we may be, we must always be prepared from any eventually. The techniques themselves dealt with many situations such as a sudden attack by several opponents, a surprise attack while bowing to someone, an enemy lying in wait behind a sliding door or an attack in a darkened room. The permutations (suppositions) were countless.Jeet Kune Do- Jeet Kune Do is the complete body of technical (physical, scientific) and philosophical (mental, social and spiritual) knowledge that was studied and taught by Bruce Lee during his lifetime. It is concerned solely and exclusively with Bruce Lee's personal evolution and process of self-discovery through the Martial Art, as supported by written record (personal papers and library) and oral recollections (by those students who spent time with and/or studied under him). Jeet Kune Do should be considered as the "Root" that was established by Bruce Lee, and NOT the ultimate goal of any practitioner, as students are expected to modify, add, and delete all aspects of Jeet Kune Do until they develop something that is uniquely their own (You the individual become, through this process of self-discovery, your own best teacher).Ju Jitsu-Ju Jitsu is formed from two ideograms Ju the various meanings of which are suppleness, flexibility, pliancy, gentleness and Jitsu meaning technique or art. So Ju Jitsu means the art of suppleness or flexibility. As most Ju Jitsuka (a student of Ju Jitsu) know there is nothing "gentle" about the martial art. What Ju is conveying is that Ju Jitsu does not use strength against strength, it uses the opponents strength and force of attack as a weapon against him, thus enabling a stronger or bigger attacker to be subdued. Ju Jitsu is one of the most complete martial arts there is. It incorporates unarmed strikes, joint locks, chokes and throws.Judo- Judo is based on the ancient Japanese martial art called Jujitsu. Professor Kano opened the Kodokan Dojo in Tokyo, Japan in the year 1882 and started to train students in Nippon-Den-Kodokan-Judo. Judo, which means the "gentle way," is not only concerned with attack and defense techniques but the physical conditioning and total health that could be attained from its practice. The meaning of the wordJu(gentleness) denotes not resisting the strength of the opponent, but adapting to it, and taking advantage of it by turning it to one's own advantage. The meaning of the wordDo(way) denotes not just methods or techniques, but also signifies adherence to strict moral principles which are essential in striving for "self-perfection as a human being".

Kajukenbo-Kajukenbo was founded in 1947 at Palamas Settlement on Oahu, Hawaii. It developed out a group calling themselves the "Black Belt Society", which consisted of black belts from various martial arts backgrounds who met to train and learn with each other. This was the beginning of an evolutionary, adaptive style designed to combine the most useful aspects of the arts.Kajukenbo is a unique martial art style combining the techniques ofKA-Karate,JU-Judo and Jujitsu,KEN-Kenpo, andBO-Boxing. It was founded in Hawaii in 1947 by Adriano Emperado, and is one of the most popular forms of self-defense practiced in the world today, because of its' effectiveness and logical approach. It's main philosophy is that every martial arts style has something to offer, and if one accepts that idea and trains accordingly, they will become a more well-rounded and, therefore, more effective martial artist.Kalarippayattu- A martial art with origins in Kerala and practiced in that south Indian state and contiguous parts of neighboring Tamil Nadu. It incorporates strikes, kicks, grappling, choreographed martial art sequences, and weaponry, as well as healing techniques.Kalaripayattu is the ancient martial art of the State. It is considered as the forerunner of Karate & Kung-fu. The Kalari is treated as the temple of learning. Age-old traditions and customs are still practiced inside the Kalari. The Gurukkal system consists of rigorous physical training besides training in self-discipline. The weapons used were the sword, Dagger, Shield, short sticks, spears etc. The co-ordination of the body and mind is given maximum importance in this art.Kali Silat- Kali, meaning body in motion, is the Martial Art of the Philippines. Our Kali program consists of energy drills and sensitivity training utilizing hand eye coordination techniques with or without the use of weapons. Silat is the Art form of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. It is the art of taking down an attacker simply and directly utilizing locks, chokes and holds.Karate- Karate is a generic term for the various kick/punch arts which originated in Okinawa and Japan. Karate is a Japanese word that translates into English as, empty hand. It is a martial art of unarmed self-defense in which directed blows of the hands or feet are delivered with special shouts from a poised stance. Karate is related to judo but stresses striking techniques, through kicks and punches, rather than wrestling or throwing an opponent. Karate as a means of self-defense has the oldest history, going back hundreds of years. It is only in recent years that the techniques which have been handed down were scientifically studied and the principles evolved for making the most effective use of the various moves of the body. Training based on these principles and knowledge of the working of the muscles and the joints and the vital relation between movement and balance enable the modern student of Karate to be prepared, both physically and psychologically, to defend himself successfully against any would-be assailant. As a physical art, Karate is almost without equal. Since it is highly dynamic and makes balanced use of a large number of body muscles, it provides excellent all-around exercise and develops coordination and agility.The major traditional styles of karate are Shotokan, Shito Ryu, Goju Ryu, and Wado Ryu. Each of these styles is taught by several international organizations. Besides these 4 main styles there is a wide variety of other styles, system and family forms of karate. All of them trace their origin back to the island of Okinawa, formerly also know as the Ryukyu Islands, and the martial art developed there. Shotokan karate is an art, a sport, and the basis for a method of self defense. Different people choose to emphasize different aspects of karate in their personal training and study. As a group everyone is exposed to, and expected to participate in, training geared toward all three aspects (art, sport, and self defense) in an attempt to have a well rounded background. Stylistically, Shotokan is known for having strong, low stances, dynamic hip motions, and extremely precise techniques.Kendo- Kendo is a Japanese style of fencing derived during the Meiji period in Japan (1868-1912), from the two-handed sword fighting techniques of the samurai. Today kendo, which means "way of the sword", is practiced with shinai (bamboo swords), and fighters wear protective equipment covering the target areas: the head, wrists, and abdomen. The bogu (protective gear) consists of a men (face mask), a do (breastplate), kote (fencing gloves), and the tare, a kind of apron to protect the stomach and hips. Under the protective gear, kendoka (students of kendo) wear a hakama, or wide split skirt, reaching the ankles. The weapon used in Kendo is the shinai, or bamboo sword. The shinai is approximately four feet in length and is made of four carefully formed bamboo slats bound together to form hollow cylinder. A cord runs along the length of the shinai. To make a valid cut a player must strike his opponent with the side opposite the cord. In addition the point must be struck with the top third of the shinai.Kickboxing- Kickboxing started in the US during the 1970's when American karate practitioners became frustrated with strict controls on martial arts competitions that didn't allow full contact kicks and punches. Many questions were raised when the sport began about the high risk of injury. As a result, safety rules were improved and protective clothing was added. As this is a relatively new sport there are no long-term traditions. The sport has undergone changes and been refined during the last two decades. Competitors use sparring, kicks, punches, kick blocks, shadow boxing, and wood breaking that is learned and applied under professional instruction.Kobudo- Kobudo is an entirely separate art, even though many American systems combine it as part of their Karate (or "empty hand") system. It is the study of Ryu Kon Kai Kobudo traditional Okinawan Weapons. These weapons include the Bo - six-foot staff, Sai - short-sword, Tonfa - side-handled baton, Nunchaku - 2-section staff, Kama - sickle, Eku - oar. Tekko - brass knuckles, and others.Krav Maga-A practical and tactical system which teaches how to prevent, deal and overcome all kinds of violence and attacks. KM prepares the trainees in the subjects of self-defense, self protection, fighting and combat skills, as well as skills to defend others, all in unique and comprehensive teachings and way. Krav-Maga was developed in Israel, under realistic demands and conditions. Founded and formed by Imi Lichtenfeld (Sde-Or) and continues to advance and be modified by Eyal Yanilov, assisted by the top instructors of IKMF. Krav-Maga is a horizontal system with a unique and logical approach. It is easy to learn and retain, performed naturally and intuitively, and practically be use under stressful conditions. An essential part of KM is its teaching process, methodology and ways of training. Krav-Maga contains special approaches, tactics, techniques, subjects, drills and training methods for the different sectors: Civilians of all ages, men and women, young and old; Law-enforcement officers; Military personnel and units; Correction service officers and wardens; Security officers; As well as: Close protection officers; Undercover agents; Antiterrorists groups; Air-marshals; Special and commando units.Kuk Sool Won- The roots of Kuk Sool date back to the very beginning of Korea with "Sado Mu Sool" which means family or tribal martial art. The next martial art to develop was "Bulkyo Mu Sool", or "Buddhist martial art". Shortly afterwards came "Koong Joong Mu Sool" which translates to 'Royal Court Martial Art'. These are the three segments of ancient Korean martial arts from which the techniques of Kuk Sool evolved. Although its origin may be traced back to antiquity, the present Kuk Sool system was formally devised only recently. Grand master In Hyuk Suh spent more than fifty years in single minded practice and research in order to learn, compile, master and organize the more than 3,600 techniques that comprise Kuk Sool. He founded the Kuk Sool Won in 1961 and took it to the United States in 1974. For self defense, Kuk Sool is unsurpassed. It combines kicking, punching, throwing, falling, choking, joint locking and a myriad of weapons techniques into a beautiful and dynamic 'hard-soft' style, emphasizing speed and fluidity. In conjunction with physical training, meditation, breathing, acupressure and acupuncture techniques are employed to improve and maintain health, develop internal power and retard the ageing process. Philosophically, Kuk Sool stresses humility, self discipline, loyalty and respect for others.Kumdo-Kumdo, meaning "way of the sword", is very similar to Kendo.Practitioners, using the jukdo (bamboo sword) for striking, wear a helmet and hard body protector so that they are able to practice full contact strikes to the head and body. Kumdo is an exacting art, with an emphasis on precision and attitude over speed and strength. Kumdo also encompasses practice with the wooden sword and, eventually, the sharp sword (Kumbub).Kung Fu- An extremely disciplined, powerful martial art where strength is built in low stances and powerful blocks. Some Kung Fu blocks are so powerful that it can break the arm of someone who is punching you. Kunf Fu has many systems like Hung-Gar, WuShu, Wing Chun, and others. Kung Fu is for the patient, and mentally and physically strong person. It was the basis for many later forms of martial arts. Over the years, kung fu developed into different styles such as Wing Chun, Drunken boxing and styles based on animal movements like the crane or snake. The reason for such diversity was simple. People rarely traveled far from their homes and kung fu evolved in different locations. In northern China, martial arts emphasized kicking and leg work. In the South, various forms of boxing were most common. Top kung fu stars today have mastered different styles as well. Jet Li is best known as a practitioner of wu shu which uses many different styles emphasizing fluid motion. Jackie Chan learned kung fu while training in a Chinese opera school in Hong Kong and boosts a mastery of the "five animal styles" of kung fu which is highlighted in the film Shaolin Wooden Men. Today many kung fu styles exist and are still passed on as family traditions and through classes.The original style of Kung Fu is Shaolin Kempo or the "5 Animal Styles" (yes, it does have a name). It has evolved over 5,000 years and is currently practiced by the Shaolin Monks in the Shaolin Temple of China's Fukian Province. The dojo, United Studios of Self Defense, USSD, teaches this style of Kung Fu blended with "street reality" (to make it a more practical modern self defense system) in the countries of the United States, Canada, and Ireland. The founder and Grandmaster of USSD is 10 degree Don (black belt) Professor Charles Mattara. He studied with the Shaolin Monks and recieved the rank of Shihan (the highest ranking a martial artist can receive in a lifetime) from Professor Nick Cerio, a member of the World Council of Sokes (Soke is the highest above ranking honor a martial artist can ever receive). Theword Soke is a Japanese play on words meaning "Is that so?" for people who claim to be Soke. The rank is given only to people who have created an internationally reknown style. Only 22 certified Soke exist.Kyudo- "The Way of the Bow" When the bow became obsolete as a weapon the spiritual aspect of archery was developed as a discipline for peace and self-cultivation. This was achieved by uniting the vigor of the warrior tradition with the dignity of the ceremonial. As a path for personal growth and development, the concept of Reisetsu - respect for the other, became the moral discipline which united these two aspects and formed the foundation for the practice of Kyudo. In meeting desire, negative thoughts, and physical difficulties the practice of Kyudo offers the individual the opportunity to meet their limitations, and to enjoy the challenge of this confrontation. One soon realizes that the problems faced are not to be found in the bow, or the immovable target, but in oneself. If this is accepted and the practice is carried out sincerely then the energy of the shooting begins to enrich one's life. Technique cannot be considered without an understanding of spiritual energy. Neither aspect can function without the other. The acquisition of technique grows with the increase in body-mind awareness to form a harmonious working together of the bow, body and spirit.Mowie Di Do-Mowie di do is a american created mixed martial art form which combines Jeet Kune Do kickboxing, Boxing, Savate, Wing chun techniques, Judo, Freestyle wrestling, Grappling, Kenpo applications (Ed Parker's), Muay Thai, Arnis (Weapons as sinawali for a example.) and Jujutsu techniques. Started as basic self-defense style which combines judo and boxing techniques. Adding savate footboxing styles as well. What the creator wanted was a effective, but easy martial art form that grows and grows with each practice. Making the practitioner more and more confident with each movement. In better words; "whatever technique you are training, it's the technique that would be the foremost used in combat. Others are secondary. Just defeat the enemy without compassion or respect." It stresses more boxing, muay thai and savate methods in a striker format. No katas, since the creator feels it hinders the student's ability to focus on the task on hand. Then there's Militant Mowie which combines each and almost every aspect of military tactics. From everything to survive and kill if need be. The creator theorized the technique can added more and more art forms with ease and can be on par with some of the finest Special Ops fighting forms. MM is very dangerous, which requires more study into it.Muay Thai-(also referred to as Thai Boxing), and Savate (also referred to as Boxe Francais). Muay Thai is the oldest known form of kickboxing and is the primary building block of all other forms of kickboxing. Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and is one of the most popular sports in the world today. The history of Kickboxing in Thailand however, is clouded at best. When the Burmese army sacked and razed Ayuddhaya to the ground the archives of Thai history were lost, and along with them much of the early history of Muay Thai. The first great interest in Muay Thai as a sport is documented to have come around the year of 1584 under the rule of King Naresuan. The King himself was well trained in the art of Muay Thai and so were his soldiers. Soon the art spread to the public and new fighting techniques began to evolve. Matches were held in every town and village on a daily basis. The sport of Muay Thai made its way to Europe sometime around the 17th century where it was embraced with open arms. The sport was modified, primarily to outlaw the use of knees and elbows, and given the name Savate.Naginata- Naginata is a Japanese martial art form for men, women, and children. The Naginata originated over 1,000 years ago. The Naginata is a weapon with a rich history, utilized and refined from the Nara Period (710-784 A.D.) to today. Employed initially by the Bushi, it later found itself the specific weapon of the Sohei or Buddhist monks. It is the school of the spear and, as such, is a shafted weapon. The length of its oval shaft varied, from 5' to 8', depending on battle conditions and personal requests. The most striking feature, however, was the blade; it could be anywhere from 10 inches to more than 2 feet, and was sharpened on a single side, fashioned in the manner of either Sakizori or Uchizori. As with most shafted weapons, it was most devastating when utilizing sweeping, circular motions. However, thrusts with the blade and also the heavy ishizuki on the butt end were acceptable tactical alternatives. It was a powerful weapon against horsemen and foot soldiers alike. The Naginata's length and weight made it an efficient weapon against the sword, and its circular execution made it one of the most graceful and fluid of classical Japanese combat systems. Naginata today is an art form that teaches etiquette, respect, patience, self-confidence, and self-control. The practice of Naginata nurtures stamina, beauty and grace of movement, and the building of character through discipline and concentration. Moreover, it prepares individuals to deal with the rigors of life, and in establishing a moral code based on chivalry and honor.Ninjutsu- The traditional Japanese method of espionage; involves stealthy movements and the use of camouflage. Presently in the 34th generation, this school of Ninjutsu is the only authentic tradition which has survived the more than 900 hundred years since it's beginnings in feudal Japan through an unbroken chain of Grand Masters. It's Martial roots, however, extend through history to the cradle of modern civilization, China.Savate- Savate takes its name from the French forold boot(heavy footwear used to be worn during fights) and is actually an amalgam of French street fighting techniques from the beginning of the 19th century. At that time,savatewas a type of street fighting common in Paris and the north of France. And in the south, especially in the port of Marseille, sailors had developed a form of fighting involving high kicks, which was known asjeu marseillais(game from Marseille), which was later renamedchausson(slipper, after the type of shoes sailors wore). In contrast, at this time in England (the home of boxing and the Queensberry rules), kicking was seen as unsportsmanlike or as something that only cowards would resort to. (See Muay Thai)Shaolin Kempo-(See Kung Fu)Shintaido- Shintaido is a unique combination of martial arts and body movement that cultivates the spirit along with the mind and body. It has been called a moving meditation. In Japanese, Shintaido means "new body way." Shintaido's forms exemplify openness and freedom. The movements of Shintaido provide a new way of experiencing our relationship with ourselves, others, nature, and the spiritual world. Shintaido is also a healing art, and a form of artistic expression. Shintaido attracts people who are interested in change, self development, and re-connecting with their bodies, their community, their spiritual nature. Shintaido was started in Japan in the 1960's under the leadership of Mr. Hiroyuki Aoki, with a group of martial artists, musicians, actors, visual artists, and others who wished to combine traditional wisdom with aspirations for peace, freedom and equality. The Shintaido philosophy is grounded in body movement.Shorinji Kempo- Shorinji Kempo traces its origins back almost 5000 years to India. From India, Buddhism spread to many countries, including China. Bodhidharma, the sixth century founder of Zen Buddhism, introduced kempo to the legendary Shaolin Temple ('Shorin-Ji' in Japanese), located in Honan prefecture. Here kempo became the main form of spiritual training for the buddhist monks and the monastery became famous for its fighting arts. Wall paintings can still be seen today in the Shaolin Temple of dark-skinned (Indian) monks practicing and teaching kempo to light-skinned (Chinese) monks. The Imperial Chinese Government, feeling threatened, destroyed the temple and persecuted the monks. The techniques however continued to be taught and practiced by various secret societies as a means of protection against bandits and corrupt officials. Many different forms of kempo were developed and kept alive by these secret societies.Shorinji Ki Do Shorinji Ki Do, generally called Shorinjiki, is a combination of Karate and Jujitsu. Shorinjiki combines the blocking, striking, and kicking techniques of karate with takedown, throws, and pressure point techniques of jujitsu. The style also includes weapons training as a supplement to the basic empty hand techniques creating a well rounded martial art. The focus is on self defense rather than sport karate. The combined karate styles include Shorin-ryu, Goju-ryu, and Shotokan. The style advocates development of a strong mind and spirit through learning to persevere and over come personal challenges which can be applied to all aspects of our lives. Shorinji Ki Do has a philosophical base that includes development of internal strength, respectful interactions with others, and a personal code of ethical and social responsibility. The basics of its self defense techniques focus on fast powerful techniques, evading and redirecting energy, off balancing an opponent, and fluid balanced movement.Shotokan Karateis one of the four main schools of Karate in Japan. It is bestcharacterized by its long and deep stances and its use of more linear movements. Shotokan Karate has little of the circular movements found in Okinawan styles of karate, nor does it have the body conditioning and supplementary training exercises typical for Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate. Shotokon Karate is considered by many a sports style of Karate, where tournaments and point-sparring are central to the art.Shotokan training is usually divided into three parts:kihon(basics),kata(forms or patterns of moves), andkumite(sparring). Techniques inkihonandkataare characterized by deep, long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs. Shotokan is often regarded as a 'hard' and 'external' martial art because it is taught that way to beginners and colored belts to develop strong basic techniques and stances. Initially strength and power are demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. Those who progress to brown and black belt level develop a much more fluid style which incorporates grappling and some aikido-like techniques, which can be found in the black belt katas.Kumitetechniques mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but progress to being more flexible with greater experience.Silambam- A form of stick or walking staff fighting. Beginners are taught footwork patterns and they must master them before learning spinning techniques and patterns, and methods to change the spins without stopping the motion of the stick. Footworks (Kaaladi) are the key aspects of Silambam and kuthu varisai (bare hand version). In Silambam as well as kuthu varisai the kaaladi (foot work or foot step) is the key in deriving power for the blows. Kaaladi teaches how to advance and retreat, to get in range of the opponent without losing our defense as well as it aids very much in hitting and blocking. It also strengthens the body immensely enabling the person to receive blows (non lethal) and still continue the combat. The whole body is used to create power.

Most stick fighting style grip the stick in the center using poker grip (both hands facing down), Silambam prefers hammer grip (main hand facing down behind the weak hand which faces up). The strong hand grips the stick about a distance hand's width and thumb's length from the end of the stick and the weak hand is a thumb's length away from the strong hand. Actually the weak hand is just touching the stick and it is just for guiding the movement of the stick. Silambam stresses ambidexterity (use of both hands) and besides the preferred hammer grip there are other ways of gripping the staff.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SilambamSoo Bahk Do-Soo Bahk Do is an ancient, traditional Korean martial art comprising hand and foot techniques. The art is renowned for its disciplined approach and emphasis on the tradition and technical aspects of martial art. Like most traditional martial art systems, Soo Bahk Do has unlimited horizons. Consistent training leads to improvement not only in physical ability, such as flexibility, strength, stamina and speed, but also mental focus and application of will. These benefits develop a sense of calm and quiet confidence in the practitioner.Soo Bahk Do is one of the most popular forms of Korean martial art.Stav- Stav (pronounced st-arv) has been described as European Tai Chi and Viking Kung Fu. Stav is a traditional system maintained by the Norwegian family Hafskjold for over 44 generations. It is designed to improve mind, body, and spirit. It is said the system has been practiced since 500 AD so it certainly is not a new style developed from the African or Eastern styles. While these descriptions do not cover the scope of Stav they perhaps give a taste of what can be gained. The core of Stav is 16 stances or body postures. These are combined with breathing exercises to give gentle, non-impact exercise to tone and relax. This is where the Tai Chi reference comes in. However, these stances, with the breathing techniques, can also be combined in a martial arts aspect that is very effective and again does not put excessive stress and strain on the body. The full range of Stav builds into a system to exercise the body and mind and helps bring into balance the turmoil of the modern world.Sumo- Originally known as "sumai", meaning struggle, sumo began around 20 B.C. as military combat. Sumai used most of the modern sumo techniques, plus a variety of strikes. . It resembled other wrestling based arts such as mongolian wrestling and Indian wrestling. Before the 16th century almost all wrestling was practiced for battle. Evolving after the 16th century, it eventually became known as sumo. Rules, ranks, and a ring now make sumo into a sport of giants. The water ceremony, the bowing, the costumes, and pageantry are all reminders of the ancient military traditions are still recognized today in competition. To follow a competition is quite easy. The winner is the one who forces his opponent out of the ring or forcing his opponent to touch the floor with any body part above the knee, first. The techniques they employ range from slapping (tsuppari), sweeps (ketaguri), and a wide variety of sacrafice throws (utchari).T'ai Chi Chuan- The forms of Tai Chi Chuan are a traditional Chinese approach to exercise, meditation, and personal growth. Practiced both for health and self-defense, its graceful, flowing movements are at the same time beautiful, healthful and powerful. Its practice promotes an inner calm and a tranquil attitude, enhancing self-awareness. Tai Chi springs from emptiness and is born of nature. It is the source of motion and tranquility and the mother of Yin and Yang. The body weight or center of gravity of the practitioner sinks into the abdomen and trunk of the body, thus allowing more relaxed and deep breathing. With the mind quieted, the heartbeat slows down, and different muscular, neurological, glandular, and organ systems function in a more balanced fashion. The practice of Tai Chi Chuan is harmony and understanding of the ways of the world.Tae Kwon Do- Tae Kwon Do is the world's most widely practice martial art. Tae Kwon Do is a Korean fighting art that looks very similar to Japanese karate. It is an Olympic sport, an artistic discipline, a system of self-defense, and a way of life. Tae Kwon Do is an artistic discipline. The techniques are done with graceful and powerful movements. Students continuously strive to improve the artistic presentation of each technique. The art of Tae Kwon Do develops posture, graceful movement, excellent coordination, and attention to detail. We believe that everyone can benefit from exposure to this artistic discipline.Taido-Taido is a scientific martial art which has taken the essence of the traditional Japanese martial arts and transformed it into one which can meet the needs of a modern society. In both Japanese print and television media Taido has been recognized as a martial art having "philosophical depth" and "creativity". It has been deemed as "the martial art of the 21st century". Taido is not a martial art where punching or kicking techniques are executed along a one dimensional line. Rather Taido's techniques are delivered by changing the body axis and balance. It is also characterized by the use of elaborate footwork in changing the angle of attack and by the use of one's entire body in the martial art. Taido, moreover, is not simply a sport as many forms of karate have become, but also involves a special type of training which requires a tremendous amount of self-discipline in terms of spiritual concentration. The essence of Taido lies not in the techniques of the art itself but in the utilization of the training acquired in Taido for the development and benefit of both self and society. Taido's techniques are designed with a dual purpose in mind. Not only are they used for one's personal defense but they play an important role in keeping one's internal organs healthy. Based upon the theories applied in the medical art of acupuncture, Taido has studied the effect of the angle of body movement upon the internal organs. This is realized, in part, through the Hokei, which are systemized routines of techniques and movements. These improve the students' offensive and defensive techniques while promoting the development of their health. Taido also encompasses, and emphasizes strongly, the breathing techniques. This is indeed another unique aspect of Taido as compared to other martial arts.Tang Soo Do- Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art which teaches empty hand and foot fighting, fighting forms, self-defense, and weapons. Tang Soo Do also teaches people to live a healthy and harmonious life. This ancient martial art traces its lineage back 2,000 years to the Korean peninsula. Tang Soo Do not only teaches physical techniques but also trains us to practice "DO" way of life through practice of the five virtues; "IN" -humanity, "UI"-righteousness, "YIE"-etiquette, "JI"-wisdom and "SHIN"-trust. When we reach the ultimate level of "DO", we can live in perfect harmony with the laws of nature.VovinamViet Vo Dao- The Martial Arts Discipline known as Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, was founded by Master Nguyen Loc in 1938. He grew up during a period when Vietnam was still under French colonial rule.In that time, young men could either abide by the French policies, or join the revolution against the French. Master Nguyen Loc believed the only way to free Vietnam from the colonial rule was to take those with a strong will for liberty and independence, training them to attain a strong body and a rational mind. He practiced hard and researched many foreign forms of martial arts over a long span of time. He later founded a new form of discipline, which became known as Vovinam (Martial Arts of Vietnam). Since 1964, the title "Viet Vo Dao" (The Philosophy of Vietnamese Martial Arts) was added to the original, becoming Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao.Wing Chun-Wing Chunis the name of a system of martial arts developed in southern China approximately 300 years ago. Its originator, the Buddhist nun Ng Mui, was a master of Shaolin Kung Fu and used this knowledge to invent a way to take advantage of the weaknesses inherent in the other Shaolin systems. This new system was well-guarded and passed on to only a few, very dedicated students. Later, the style became known asWing Chun,after Ng Mui's first student, a woman named Yim Wing Chun. More recently, beginning in 1970, Bruce Lee, who trained primarily in Wing Chun but also some other arts, incorporated some of its techniques and ideas into his own Jeet Kune Do. His fame led to international interest in Wing Chun.