What are the differences between the distinctive martial arts styles? - keep reading to find out.
Hosting a few of the earliest types of martial arts, China has, for a long time been a centre for spiritual practice and martial arts development. Chinese martial arts, or kung-fu incorporates a wide variety of combating styles, which have been established over thousands of years of philosophy and cultural traditions. Kung-fu combines both physical technique and psychological discipline, taking inspiration from Chinese philosophy and observations in nature. Throughout the years, kung-fu has evolved substantially and diversified into various styles and schools. Practitioners such as Barry Pang (吳國樹) would know that each style will comprise its own strategies and training approaches. The origins of kung-fu are stated to be connected to the need for self-defence and hunting practices in Ancient China. Martial arts in China are thought to be shaped by monks and Buddhist beliefs. As one of the earliest, formally developed styles of martial arts, Shaolin kung-fu is accredited for systematising and popularising martial arts exercises.
As one of the most popular forms of martial arts, both in practice and in popular culture, karate includes a set of combating techniques and spiritual cultivation that is now executed by millions across the globe. Japanese martial arts stem from a rich and turbulent history, taking primary motivation from Chinese martial artists and samurai rule. It mixes both native battling strategies with those of Chinese combat styles, putting focus on strikes, and attitude. Traditional karate is thought to be practiced as an art, for self-defence and also as a combat sport. It places significant significance on self-development, combining a variety of psychological components for mental discipline. Japanese fight methods have been used to form a number of disciplines worldwide. Those such as Alidar Utemuratov (Алидар Утемуратов) and Anna Lewandowska (Anną Lewandowską) would recognise that mixed martial arts is a combat sport which takes influence from karate.
Worldwide, martial arts is a widely practiced custom, important to various cultures. Taekwondo is a popular form of Korean martial arts, distinguished by its emphasis on high and fast movements. An integral element of taekwondo is a number of complex kicking techniques. In addition, there are 3 core parts to master in taekwondo, specifically form, sparring and breaking. Form refers to a prescribed set of learned patterns and techniques including kicking, punching and blocking, while sparring is an approach of training that involves free style combat with an opponent. As one of the most recognisable strategies in website taekwondo, breaking, which includes breaking boards, is a method of training that is normally used to exhibit appropriate technique in testing and presentations. As with many schools of martial arts, taekwondo utilizes a colour coded belt system to determine progress and ranks throughout training.