Martial Arts

What are the “Martial Arts”?

• The martial arts are different systems of fighting taught all over the world. The term martial art has become heavily associated with the fighting arts of eastern Asia, but was originally used in regard to the combat systems of Europe as early as the 1550s. The term is ultimately derived from Latin, martial arts being the "Arts of Mars," the Roman god of war.

Kung FuChinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu (Chinese: 功夫 ; pinyin: gōngfu), are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" (家 , jiā), "sects" (派 , pài) or "schools" (門 , mén) of martial arts. Examples of such traits include physical exercises involving animal mimicry, or training methods inspired by Chinese philosophies, religions and legends.

KarateKarate is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed partially from local Okinawan fighting methods and from Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands.

The martial arts movies of the 1960s and 1970s served to greatly increase its popularity and the word karate began to be used in a generic way to refer to all striking-based Oriental martial arts. Karate schools began appearing across the world, catering to those with casual interest, such as young children, as well as those seeking a deeper study of the art.

Karate masters are sometimes known to break boards and bricks with their bare hands.

JujutsuJujutsu (Japanese: 柔術 , jūjutsu, also known as jujitsu), 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.

Jujutsu is different from many other types of martial arts in how is focuses on using throws and grappling techniques to subdue one’s opponent. A form of Jujutsu featured in the Olympics is known as Judo.

Capoeira

Capoeira involves many elaborate kicks and flips.

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century. It is known by quick and complex moves, using mainly power, speed, and leverage for leg sweeps.

What do you think?

• What are some famous styles of martial arts from your country?

• Why do you think people practice martial arts?

• How does Kung Fu compare to western boxing?

• Do you think practicing Tai Chi is good for your health?

Internal Martial Arts

Internal Martial Arts or Nèijiā is a term in Chinese martial arts, grouping those styles that practice nèijìng (內勁 ; literally "internal strength"), occupied with spiritual, mental or qi-related aspects, as opposed to an "external" approach focused on physiological aspects.

The internal styles are also known for their association with the Taoist monasteries of Wudang mountain in the Hubei Province of China. These styles are usually known as Tàijíquán, Xíngyìquán and Bāguàzhǎng.

Touch of DeathThe Death Touch refers to any martial arts technique that can kill using seemingly less than lethal force targeted at specific areas of the body.The concept known as Dim Mak (simplified Chinese: 点脉 ) traces its history to Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture. Tales of its use are often found in Chinese martial arts fiction. Dim Mak is depicted as a secret body of knowledge with techniques that attack pressure points and meridians, said to incapacitate or sometimes cause immediate or even delayed death to an opponent.

Although Dim Mak originates in Wuxia fiction, there have been a number of martial artists claiming to practice the technique in reality, beginning in the 1960s with American eccentric Count Dante, who gave it the English name "The Death Touch". However, the subject of the death touch in real life is in much debate and controversy

Nunchaku

Nunchaku (ヌンチャク , nunchaku) is a traditional Asian weapon consisting of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope. In the English language nunchaku are often referred to as "nunchucks", "nunchuks", or, incorrectly, "numchucks".

Ninja StarsA shuriken (Japanese 手裏剣 ; literally: "sword hidden in the hand") is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was generally used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing or slashing. They are sharpened hand-held blades made from a variety of everyday items such as needles, nails, and knives, as well as coins, washers, and other flat plates of metal. In the West they are often known as Ninja stars or throwing stars.

Chain Whip

The chain whip or nine-section-whip is a weapon used in some Asian martial arts, particularly traditional Chinese disciplines, in addition to modern and traditional wushu. It consists of several metal rods, which are joined end-to-end by rings to form a flexible chain. Generally, the whip has a handle at one end and a metal dart, used for slashing or piercing an opponent, at the other.

What do you think?

• Do you believe in “internal power” (qi)?• Have you ever heard of someone being killed

by the “touch of death”?• What do you think about people who practice

with strange weapons like the chain whip?• Why do you think some people still use

swords in their martial arts practice?

Bruce LeeBruce Lee (born Lee Jun-fan; 1940 – 1973) was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement (“The Way of the Intercepting Fist”). He is widely considered by many commentators, critics, media and other martial artists to be the most influential martial artist of all time.

Though commonly thought to be from Hong Kong, Lee was in fact born on 27 November 1940 at the Chinese Hospital in Chinatown, San Francisco, California.

Chuck NorrisCarlos Ray "Chuck" Norris (born March 10, 1940) is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do. Norris appeared in a number of action films, such as Way of the Dragon in which he starred alongside Bruce Lee and was a leading star in the 1980s. He next played the starring role in the television series Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993 to 2001.

Jean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg (born 18 October 1960), professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme is a Belgian martial artist, actor and director best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport (1988), Kickboxer (1989), Universal Soldier (1992), Hard Target (1993), Timecop (1994), Sudden Death (1995) and JCVD (2008). He is known as "The Muscles from Brussels".After studying martial arts intensively from the age of ten, Van Damme achieved national success in Belgium as a martial artist and bodybuilder, earning the "Mr. Belgium" bodybuilding title. He emigrated to the United States in 1982 to pursue a career in film, and achieved success with Bloodsport in 1988.

What do you think?

• Who is your favorite martial arts actor?• Do you enjoy movies about kung fu, or are you

more interested in romance or comedy?• Do you think the fighting in kung fu movies is

the same as fighting in real life?• Do you think you could beat Jackie Chan in a

fight?