Martial Arts

1. The term "martial arts" simply refers to all types of combat. Getting the word from Mars, the Roman god of war, the world "martial" generally refers to all things conflict. So the "martial arts" generally translates as "the conflict arts," or the art of combat. If someone asked you to name a martial art, you might tell them Kung Fu or Karate - but the martial arts aren't limited to the styles of the Far East. Fencing is as much a martial art as ninjitsu, for example.

2. Martial arts with codes of conduct generally are linked to the Far East. Philosophies in the Far East, including Daoism and Confucianism, have an influence on how we view traditional martial arts - as having a code of discipline or set of moral principles. This is not a requirement of a martial art, however.

3. Much of the martial arts developed through trade. Though you don't often associate trading with martial arts, many styles did develop partially due to the influence of expanding trade. For instance, many martial arts of China and India were developed in the areas near the Silk Road.

4. Today's revival of interest in martial arts is largely due to Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee, a film star and martial artist in the 1960s and 1970s, had a lot to do with the recent rise in interest in the martial arts. He is also sometimes credited with bringing about the idea of "mixed martial arts," or martial arts that borrow from different disciplines in order to create a more ideal discipline.

5. Martial arts are constantly evolving. Though some disciplines stay true to their heritage, today's modes of combat change with technology. With advanced robotics and satellite linking, navigation and manual tasks can often be lead to robots rather than people.

Photo Credits: MorroBayChuck

Originally posted 2009-12-29 03:36:16.

MMA: Mixed Martial Arts or Not?

None of these are used in mixed martial arts training. It really should not be called a “mixed” martial art as much as it should be called a cage fighting art.

You will also notice that a belt system is not of any importance nor is the uniform, which is a large part of the tradition in the martial arts. Instead, people are beginning to wear shorts that are closer to what you might see on the beach as opposed to what you would find in a martial arts training center.  There are many other elements that you also will not see in MMA, such as:

• Forms or drills typical to martial arts.
• Stances based on the animals or a history of training.
• Advanced and dynamic kicking.

Most of what you won’t find is deleted because MMA is focused on the sport of fighting inside a ring. Boxing makes sense and is easy to grasp without a poorly chosen set of words. But the mental and physical concepts that come with the martial arts are not the same benefits as those you would find in ego driven, sport based activities.

A mixed martial art should (by definition) be a combination of various martial arts and stay true to the nature of the martial arts. Instead, MMA is giving off an image of a thug, or tattooed brute that would do well in a bar fight.

It is true that MMA does combine punching and kicking – we call that kickboxing. The only truly element that was added was the ground fighting and then it was spiced up with a soft matt to fall on and wrapped up with a fence (called a cage). Not exactly what one would consider to be a combination of martial arts. What is the mix? It is punching, kicking and ground fighting in a fenced off area on top of a matt for the purpose of sport.

A true mixed martial art would include all the key elements that make up the martial arts and would include rolls and falls, specialized strikes and kicks, self-defense tactics that are used on the street and not limited to the cage - which is focused purely on the sport.

Although cage fighting and mixed martial arts events are fun to watch, they are really just advanced kick-boxing and the most interesting variable would be the ground grappling component. It is realistic for the ring, but if you put the same people over concrete, they wouldn’t be so keen to lay on the ground spinning on their knees and elbows.

Part of being an ART is about practicing something that is not primarily used to defeat your opponent as much as it is used to overcome the enemies within ourselves.

Photo Credits: fightlaunch

Originally posted 2010-04-05 03:00:42.