Jiu Jitsu, Taekwondo and Muay Thai: Body and Mind Fitness

Training in martial arts is known to impart several benefits to practitioners. Aside from fitness and wellness benefits, martial arts exercises contribute mental soundness, boosts self-confidence, spiritual and emotional well-being. Various martial arts schools then focus on therapeutic aspects rather than emphasize on self defense and combat. Martial arts courses on jiu jitsu, taekwondo and muay thai kickboxing are popularly offered in many schools since these are known to cater emotional communication and expression. 

Grappling and ground fighting with Jiu Jitsu

Considered as the most modified version of Japanese Jujutsu and modern day Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the most popular ground-based fighting style. This fighting tactic emphasizes on chokes, positioning and joint locks. The unique style of this martial art dwells mainly on self defense, grappling and mixed martial arts. With focus on competition and gaining dominant positions, this martial arts fighting technique is aimed to force opponent to submit. This art of fighting began with the teachings of Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese master who immigrated to Brazil. He then taught to different students his techniques and found Carlos Gracie who excelled at the practice and martial art theories. After years of teaching this fighting technique, the Gracie family bring the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu throughout the 20^th century.

Taekwondo as hard-style martial arts

Although recognized as the national sport of South Korea, Taekwondo has been influenced by the martial arts of China and Japan. This fighting style is considered hard-style martial arts that mainly focus on defense style, sport, combative technique, exercise and philosophy. The term “taekwondo” is translated as “the way of the foot and the fist” since this includes powerful hand-strikes, blocks, jumps, kicks and spins. During the summer Olympics in 2000, sparring system of taekwondo has become one of the sports. Sparring is recognized to be acceptable to all practitioners while grappling techniques are only performed by higher practiced individuals with higher belt levels. Modern teachings of this martial art support the idea that anyone can learn this art regardless of age, sex or size. Many students are enthusiastic to participate in taekwondo practices because it develops stamina, flexibility, speed and helps strengthen muscles. Aside from being a popular sport, techniques in taekwondo can be used effectively as self defense. 

Muay Thai- striking foundation in MMA

Known as the “art of eight limbs”, Muay Thai kickboxing originated in Thailand. This is referred as such because of the use of legs, elbows, knees and fists. Thus, a Muay Thai practitioner known as a nak muay uses eight points of contact as opposed to “two points” in boxing and “four points” in other combat sports. This is also a fighting art of attrition where opponents exchange blows with one another. Muay Thai has become the foundation of countless mixed martial artists. Its techniques are used predominantly as effective stand-up fighting technique in MMA fights. This consists of stand-up striking and sprawls are usually employed to defend against takedowns. Often MMA fighters focus on studying submission to avoid being forced into submission. 

These are just three of the various types of martial arts that have become part of the world of sports. Students including adults, kids and teens have enrolled to martial arts schools to be at least physically fit or learn techniques on how to protect oneself in times of adversity. Training methods dwell mostly on self-preservation methods by teaching famous hand-to-hand combat, boxing techniques and self-defense stances.

Interesting Fact on Karate Arts

The Art of Karate can be traced back to an event called ‘Pankration’ held during the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. This type of Japanese martial arts was developed in the island of Okinawa which was invaded by Japanese in the 17^th Century.  The invasion involved weapon ban while warrior invaders wore bamboo armor. With the help of Chinese experts on the island, islanders kick or punch to penetrate such armor and disable the warrior.  Since then, they developed karate training which aims to form unarmed combat techniques with hands and feet as lethal weapons. 

Karate comes from the Japanese characters which mean “empty hand”. This fighting technique includes kicking, grappling, punching, locks and joint manipulation. It is widely known as an art of self defense and signifies a mysterious way of fighting which enables the executor to cause death or injury even with a single blow. It doesn’t only focus on physical strength but also polishing inner self and spirit to eliminate weakness and boost strength. 

Karate Practice and techniques

In Karate training, a mix of extensive physical aspects and incorporation of psychological elements are highlighted. Karate arts is divided into four aspects such the basics, forms, sparring and weapons training. The basics or kihon involves variety of styles performed in unison or a combination of techniques which is usually executed through pre-arranged drills in small groups or in pairs. Kata, which constitutes forms in Karate, displays sequence of movements representing a variety of offensive and defensive postures. This concept will lead to real understanding of combat principles while developing correct posture and gracefulness. Sparring or kumite include knockdown karate, kickboxing variants and free sparring.  This technique is mostly notable in tournaments and employs grappling, kicking and punching. Lastly, training of traditional weaponry is the focus of kobudo. 

Karate as a sport

The world of sports has witnessed how Karate arts dramatically evolved the last 20 years. With the aid of movies and television, its popularity increased throughout the world and even become part of the Olympic Games. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the World Karate Federation facilitates karate competition in the Olympic Games and develop common rules governing all the techniques. Sparring and forms may be demonstrated as a team or by individual. Judging for kata and kobudois through a panel of judges while kumite is judged by a head referee. Karate as a sport is aimed to express and display series of defensive and counter attacking movements. This effectively display how Karate evolved as used in self-defense.

Karate Philosophy

Intensive Karate training incorporates mental refinement and leadership essentials. Anko Itosu, Grandfather of Modern Karate, emphasized the importance of self-discipline and promoted the virtue of personal conviction. This aspect of karate teaches every karateka to practice courtesy, purge selfish thoughts and to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle. For intent and focus practice, karate will help each karateka to effectively clean one’s mind from evil thought and to never be easily drawn into the fight.

Indeed, the world of Karate does not only revolve around physical power and strength. This type of Japanese martial arts promotes the virtues of perseverance and will power. In karatearts, mastery of the craft is not totally physical. A karateka can only be self-improved by keeping within him heart and character.