List of Flashy Martial Arts

The best way to win a fight is to avoid it. Martial artists have espoused this wisdom for centuries. Training in hand-to-hand combat techniques can save your life if a fight is unavoidable. Sometimes, demonstrating this training might be enough to persuade a prospective opponent that fighting you is a bad idea. If you are sensible and lucky enough to avoid ever getting into a situation where fighting is a possibility, martial arts still represent an excellent opportunity for physical fitness and mental discipline.

  1. Japanese styles

    • Aikido is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes holds, locks and throws rather than punches or kicks. It has its origins in jujitsu, but incorporates the movements developed in sword and spear fighting to create a defensive and fluid style.

      Judo is a relatively modern form based on the older martial art of jujitsu. The name roughly translates to "gentle way," reflecting its emphasis on turning the strength of one's opponent to advantage.

      Jujitsu's origins lie in feudal Japan and the unarmed combat techniques practiced by samurai warriors. Its emphasis on locks, holds and throws were later incorporated into other styles, such as judo.

      Karate is probably the most well known martial art. Karate is a generic term for different unarmed combat techniques that originated in Okinawa and Japan. Karate favors punches and kicks rather than holds and throws.

    Chinese Styles

    • Jeet kune do was founded by the legendary martial artist and actor Bruce Lee. Jeet kune do is a hybrid of different fighting techniques, including wing chun kung fu and American boxing. Lee sought to take the best techniques from different systems to create the most effective fighting system possible.

      Kung fu rivals karate for name recognition. Kung fu comprises a number of related Chinese forms. Its popularity is largely due to its portrayal in films by such stars as Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Bruce Lee. Kung fu stresses techniques for blocking attacks, and demands physical strength as well as skill and technique.

    Other Styles

    • Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art, with an emphasis as much on the art as on its martial applications. It incorporates music and dance and is practiced as much for entertainment, fitness, and community as it is for personal defense.

      Krav maga is the official self-defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces. Krav maga is an extremely practical martial art, and teaches students how to defend themselves, rather than emphasizing artistic or sporting aspects of the form.

      Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. Muay Thai is less formally referred to as kickboxing, though that term can refer to many similar fighting techniques. It is an extremely popular spectator sport as well as a means of personal defense. Muay Thai emphasizes punching and kicking.

      Savate is a French kickboxing style with origins in muay Thai. Savate developed in France in the early 19th century, fusing different fighting techniques emphasizing both open hand techniques and kicks, especially high kicks, and abstaining from attacks with knees or shins.

      Tae kwon do is a Korean martial art. The name translates to "art of foot and fist" and is focused on punches and kicks.

    Artistic and Sporting Styles

    • Modern martial artists will have few opportunities to use Kendo to defend themselves, unless they routinely carry swords, but this Japanese fencing style is widely practiced for artistic and sporting purposes. Practitioners use specialized equipment so that contestants can compete and display their skills without risking deadly injury.

      Modern practitioners of Kyudo -- the way of the bow -- also have few opportunities to use the art in their own defense. Archery mastery through Kyudo teaches self-discipline, control and coordination, and is considered one of the most spiritual of martial arts.

      Sumo wrestlers use a variety of slaps, sweeps, and throws to subdue or throw their opponent from the ring. Sumo is an immensely popular spectator sport in Japan. Though it did evolve from a genuine military discipline from Japan's ancient past, it is not commonly studied as a means of self defense.