History & Overview of Martial Arts Styles

The first fighting systems on earth probably evolved alongside human beings because mankind must have always had a need to defend himself against animals, not to mention against his fellow creature. Ancient murals and sculptures show fighting poses from Egypt, India and Babylon dating from as far back as 5,000 years ago.
The martial arts as we know them probably did not evolve until systems of offensive and defensive skills were devised in or imported into China. There, in a country saturated with the spiritual teachings of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism, these fighting skills were combined with intangible elements such as compassion, discipline and self-control.
Through various periods of history when weapons were outlawed, the martial arts prospered as the only means for a person to defend himself and his family. But even as more civilized times descended upon humanity, the arts survived. They managed to outlive their violent origins primarily because they teach much more than fighting. The true martial arts stress character development, discipline and respect. Self-defense, physical fitness and competition are some of the benefits which modern practitioners enjoy.
The fact that the martial arts have endured for so many centuries means that they have had a chance to evolve into many different styles. The following are short descriptions of the styles we offer.

AIKIDO Aikido was founded by Morhei Uyeshiba in 1942. Uyeshiba, also know as O-Sensei, was heavily influenced by the principles and techniques of daito ryu aikijujutsu and Kendo (Japanese swordsmanship). Along with incorporating parts of these older arts into his new art, he emphasized evasion, redirection of an opponent's attack and development of ki (internal energy). Aikido also grew to become a very philosophical martial arts that is often connected with a Japanese religion called Omotokyo.
In some variations of Aikido, strikes are used to setup an opponent for a throw or joint lock. In others practice consists of strictly joint locks and throws. The art is popular in Japan because police frequently learn it so they can subdue suspects without injuring them. Aikido practitioners may also train with the staff, knife and wooden sword. Contrary to the way it is portrayed in the popular movies of film star Steven Seagal, Aikido has a reputation as a "non-violent" martial art.

BOXING Boxing is often called the Western martial art, but it is more accurately identified as a martial sport. It probably originated in ancient Greece or Rome, as there is evidence that the Greek pankratium (also spelled pankration) competitions included boxing-like event. The pugilistic sport then spread to most every Western country, and in the early 20th century it became a popular spectator sport.
Boxing techniques have played an important role in the development of modern kickboxing, since they are often judged as being more effective than the hand techniques of the Asian martial arts. The techniques are now being added to the curriculum at many schools that teach eclectic martial arts.

HAPKIDO Hapkido is a Korean martial art whose name is written with the same three Chinese characters as Aikido. The art's techniques, however bear little resemblance to those of Aikido. According to the most widely propagated history, Hapkido was founded by Choi Yongsul, a Korean who had been taken to Japan to work in the household of daitoryu aikijutsu master Sogaku Takeda. (Takeda's descendants and followers deny that Choi ever studied with their master, however.) Choi claimed to have trained under Takeda from 1913 to 1943.
Hapkido originally focused on pressure point strikes, joint locks and throws, but now, thanks to the influence of Hapkido master Ji Han-jae, it also includes highly refined kicks and hand strikes. Various weapons are taught, including the cane, staff and belt. Development of the practitioner's ki (internal energy) is also stressed. Hapkido is known more as a method of self-defense than an art for sporting competition.

JUDO Judo was intended to be a martial sport derived from jujutsu. Created by Jigoro Kano in the 1880's, it enjoyed much popularity as its practitioners routinely defeated students of other martial arts. Kano created the Kodokan Judo institute in 1882 as the governing body for the sport. Later, it was adopted into the curriculum of Japanese public schools. Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964, when the games were held in Tokyo.
Judo training emphasizes throwing an opponent to the ground by grasping his body or uniform. Once down, a variety of chokes and joint locks may be used to effect a submission. Two important parts of judo training - character development and morality - make judo a preferred martial art for children to practice.

JUJUTSU Jujutsu (also spelled jiu jitsu) is one of the martial arts of Japan's samurai warriors. The founding of its various schools (ryu in Japanese) date from the 8th century to the 16th century. Because the warriors donned armor before entering the battlefield, kicks and punches had little effect. Therefore, chokes and joint locks were the only techniques that could attack unprotected targets like the neck, wrists and ankles. Weapons were at one time stressed in jujutsu, but most modern training focuses on empty-hand combat.
Since its creation, jujutsu has spawned a number of martial arts, including judo, aikido and possibly hapkido and kuk sool. It is categorized mostly as a system of self-defense, though competitions especially in Brazilian jujutsu have recently become popular.

KARATE Karate originated in Okinawa in the 1600's. It was developed from imported Chinese martial art skills and refined as an advanced means of self-defense because weapons were outlawed on the island. It was originally called e, meaning "hand." Later, masters adopted the name karate, meaning "empty hand" or "Chinese hand" (depending upon which characters are used to write the word).
Toward the end of the 19th century, Gichen Funakoshi trained with various karate masters, then devised his own system, which he named shotokan. He then spread the style to the Japanese mainland and eventually to the West. It is perhaps the most widely taught style of karate.
Other popular styles currently practiced around the world include kempo, gojuryu kyokushin, isshinruy, shitoryu, shorinji kempo, shorinryu, uechiryu, wadoryu, and washinryu. All include hard style kicks, punches and blocks. Some emphasize linear movements, while others teach circular movements. In virtually every style, kata (forms) practice and kumite (sparring) play an important role in training.

KENPO Kenpo is a form of karate that was popularized in Hawaii and later on the American mainland by Ed Parker. Although it is often categorized as an American martial art, the style's name is written with the same Chinese characters as chuan fa, a generic Chinese term for martial arts, and Kenpo's techniques were influenced by those of various Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian martial arts.
Kenpo training emphasizes a scientific approach to combat. Many kata are taught, and rapid- fire hand techniques and combinations are often used. The art received a popularity boost after Jeff Speakman, a student of Parker's, showcased it in the movie, Perfect Weapon.

KICKBOXING Kickboxing is a modern martial sport that combines the hand techniques of Western boxing with the kicks of the Asian martial arts. Although it can be used for self-defense, it is primarily a ring sport. Legends of kickboxing, most of whom rose to star status in the 1970's and 1980's, include Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Kathy Long, Don "The Dragon" Wilson and Dennis Alexio.
MUAY THAI Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is a martial art from Thailand. It is renowned for its overall simplicity: powerful roundhouse kicks, elbow strikes, knee thrusts and basic boxing-style punches. Although Muay Thai is primarily practiced as a ring sport mostly by teenage boys in Thailand- it has numerous self-defense applications. The sport version has been popular in Thailand for decades, and it has recently spread to Japan, the United States and Europe.
Some researches claim Muay Thai is merely a subset of empty-hand skills that came from the comprehensive Thai art of krabi krabong. Both arts are claimed to be more than 1,000 years old. Historians say that ancient records tell how the skills were used in battles with the Burmese and Vietnamese.

SHOOTFIGHTING Shootfighting is a modern Japanese eclectic martial sport. Its techniques were greatly influenced by the submission grappling skills taught by the legendary American wrestler Karl Gotch when he visited Japan.
Variations include shootwrestling, shootboxing and pancrase. All are taught primarily as ring sports, and their matches frequently draw large crowds in Japan. Rules permit kicks, hand strikes, takedowns, throws and ground grappling.

TAE KWON DO Tae Kwon Do is a relatively modern Korean martial sport that is often claimed to be the most popular style in the world. Although some exponents say it dates back thousands of years, records indicate that it was created by Gen. Choi Hong-hi in the 1950's from a mix of Japanese karate hand techniques and tae kyon (an indigenous Korean kicking art) foot techniques.
Soon to be an official Olympic sport, Tae Kwon Do places a heavy emphasis on throwing rapid kicks and body punches. In fact, it is reputed to have the most extensive kicking arsenals of any martial art. In classroom training, breaking, forms, one-step sparring and self-defense are also taught. Tae Kwon Do was spread to the West mainly by Jhoon Rhee. Numerous other masters were sent abroad by the Korean government to introduce foreigners to Korean culture.

TANG SOO DO Tang soo do is a traditional Korean martial art that focuses on discipline and the practice of hyung (forms) and self defense sequences. Although founder Hwang Kee claims to have created the art from ancient textbooks on su bak do (an older Korean martial art) while living in Manchuria in the 1930's, the style may have been heavily influenced by Japanese karate. In many respects, tang soo do appears quite similar to karate and tae kwon do, except for the fact that in tang soo do, very little emphasis is placed on sporting competition and flashy maneuvers.