Martial Arts - a brief introduction

A Brief Introduction to the Martial Arts

By Kris Kingsland

War, conflict and strife date way back into pre-history. Not long after learning how to walk upright, we wondered how best to put the boot in... Fighting skills were developed the world over and whilst the West endured the Dark Ages, the Orient was a seething, scintillating mass of mystical knowledge and 'magical' technology. Many dedicated their lives to the understanding of life, via a deeper understanding of the body. They travelled lawless lands, sharing their learning and needed to defend themselves. From their knowledge of physiology they were able to develop exercises to maximise control of their own and their opponents' bodies, pitting their strengths against their opponents' weaknesses.

With the advent of the silver screen, cinematic styles have emerged, to put kung fu, karate, and kick-boxing into the hearts and minds of millions of practitioners. As these and more modern styles appear to have a common ancestry, they shall be the focus of our attention.

The exact origins are lost, but date back over 2,500 years. In 520 AD Bodhidharma, an Indian warrior-priest, brought Zen Buddhism and a system of self-defence to China. He found that the monks there lacked the physical discipline required for deep meditation and set them yoga-like exercises to enliven their bodies. As time passed the exercises assumed different meanings, applications and techniques, becoming kung fu. The Shaolin Temple was ideal for practice and improvement; monks were deeply attuned to nature and took inspiration from her. The art traveled in one form or another, ever growing and being added to, until it reached the island of Okinowa.

Though Japanese feudal lords forbade armouries to the islanders, the Okinowans covertly continued to develop both unarmed and armed (for the weapon is only an extension of the hand) self-defence. One style became karate (empty hand), which further specialised into four sub-classes. Training is still much the same physically: warm-ups, stretching, stamina and strength training, followed by techniques and kata (form). If punches and kicks are letters of the martial alphabet, then kata is the story of conflict, both physical and mental. Prescribed movements, performed in a precise order to a set rhythm, depicting offensive and defensive techniques that flow together well.

Kung fu and karate were characterised by kicks, strikes, blocks etc; the former tended to be more fluid, the latter being restricted by Japanese influences. Jujitsu combines strikes, throws, chokes and joint-locks. Defence rather than offence, and control over the opponent rather than annihilation, is sought. Judo is a derivative, using an attacker's force to one's advantage, without striking. More control is available, and safety increased. Aikido, also from jujitsu, uses flowing circular movements in both attack and defend. A gentler form, its philosophy is to harm the attacker as little as possible. Taekwondo is Korean karate, and is best known for its fantastic kicking - initially for infantry to ambush and unhorse cavalry.

Alas specialisation can lead to neglect and weakness. Weapon styles are flawed as they require the use of restricted weaponry. If pressed a true martial artist will use anything at hand - ninjitsu teaches that the world is your weapon, i.e. make the most of everything, whatever it takes to achieve your goals. Some can throw chopsticks with sufficient force and accuracy to pierce one-inch thick wooden boards!

Though pretty, many flying kicks would be risky on the streets. More sportive styles such as judo falter when kicked in the knee or against a knife. Kick-boxers, though fast and powerful, do not perform as well when they cannot move freely, in an alley or on the ground. Also there is the legal aspect. Reasonable force to preserve life and limb is permitted. Bone-breaking kicks can kill; immobilisation with a joint-lock is safer.

Some aggression is healthy, for survival, but pent up can explode into violence. Fortunately the nature of training in a good style removes the desire for violence; providing a regular release for aggression, the confidence to deal with a confrontation and not react unnecessarily, self-discipline, tenacity, improved health, increased alertness, camaraderie, and a greater appreciation of life. Higher level karate brings tile and brick breaking techniques - the focusing of all your force into a small point of impact, like a razor. This is merely the physical manifestation of a much greater principle: achieving your goals. Confidence comes from experience. Experience is not what happens to us, its what we do with what happens to us. Its called life - wake up and live it. Join a club.