Martial arts are another way saying the "art of combat" or "art of waging of war." In its infancy, it was used as a weapon to survive. Martial arts can be a set of movements used for offensive or defensive purposes. It can also be a set of movements used to promote health. It has structure and every movement has meaning. By not having structure and preset movements, one is not limited and confined. But as some have pointed out, therein comes forth the structure.
Martial arts have evolved into everything from simple to complex systems of fighting and health. For example, in Kung Fu, some mimic movements from the animal kingdom and adapt them to human fighting. Other, like in Tae Kwon Do, uses standard techniques to build up "Chi" (Ones Life Force) and use it to generate powerful strikes. Tai-Chi, promotes health. Most martial arts are similar. They teach similar principles just in different ways. One thing the martial arts have in common is that they promote self-defense. Hence the reason martial arts are called the "Art of self-defense" and it just depends on personality, the range of movement and comfort level as to which martial art will work best for the individual.
Furthermore, traditional martial arts, as we know them today, have its roots in religion and philosophy. Moreover, Chinese and Japanese philosophers too had an impact on martial arts. They strived to set a code of ethics and morals to live by. |
