Martial Arts are more than a way of self defense.



Introduction

The word Martial Arts literally means "the art of empty hands." It is the most widely practiced of all the martial arts. Martial Arts is a sport and a means of self-defense that uses the body as a weapon in striking, kicking, and blocking. In Japan, where it is called Martial Arts-do, it involves discipline of the mind as well as of the body. Unlike judo and aikido, it is not a grappling or throwing sport. There are hundreds of varieties of Martial Arts, stemming from the intense rivalry among teachers of the art. Some of which will be touched upon in this report.

In the early 6th century AD, Bodhidharma, an Indian priest and knight, brought Zen Buddhism to China along with a system of 18 self-defense exercises. The exercises evolved into a form of boxing, which spread, with Zen, throughout China and in the 12th century reached Japan. Martial Arts originated in Okinawa many centuries ago, where it was based on combat techniques imported from China. It was not called Martial Arts until it was introduced into Japan early in the 20th century by Gichin Funakoshi. It was he who gave the art its present name in 1935 to differentiate it from Okinawan types that used weapons. Its worldwide popularity came about after World War II, when many United States servicemen stationed in Japan discovered it.

1) Matrial Arts for fitness.

The study of the Martial Arts offers several unique advantages to the physical fitness of the student. The Matrial Arts fitness training usually performed in almost any place without the use of weights or special equipment; it may be practiced individually or in groups. Since the body sets its own limits, injuries or strains are rare and the physical condition of the student pace him automatically. The entire muscle system of the body, from the fingers to the toes is brought into play.

The Matrial Arts fitness training does not produce large knotty and bulky muscles, it tends to exchange flabby fat tissue for lean tissue. The thick muscles developed through weight training tends to push the blood vessels apart without adding new ones to fill the gap. Such tissue has difficulty in receiving oxygen and disposing of waste through the blood stream and thus tire more easily. The Martial Arts high repetition, low resistance to blood supply routes, thus producing maximum endurance and well being.

The emphasis in twisting the trunk, in executing the kicking movements and in counter-balancing the hand movements build a firm, well-muscled abdomen. The high leg raise proceeding most of the kicks in the Martial Arts also develops the side of the trunk and inner thigh muscles. The study of the Martial Arts is particularly recommended for women because of this development of the lower abdomen, hips and inner thighs; areas which produce a youthful, feminine figure for women of all ages. After childbirth in particular, these areas are stretched and weakened; Martial Arts training ...