General idea about Martial Arts
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development, recreation and the preservation of a nation’s intangible cultural heritage.
Although the term MARTIAL ARTS has become associated with the fighting arts of East Asia, it originally referred to the combat systems of Europe as early as the 1550s. The term is derived from Latin and means “arts of Mars”, the Roman god of war. Some authors have argued that fighting arts or fighting systems would be more appropriate on the basis that many martial arts were never “martial” in the sense of being used or created by professional warriors.
There are many different styles of martial arts, and each one has a name, some styles are more focused on kicks more then punches like Taekwondo and that’s the style that our academy specialises in. At Top Martial Arts Academy you will learn a blend of different Martial arts styles. Alternative styles that focus on using hands are Western boxing and wing chun, those are the striking style, we have other styles that focus on grappling and ground fighting like Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jutsu and of course there is the armed styles that they use swords, sticks and other weapons.
Taekwondo, Karate, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, KravMaga and many others are from the Martial Arts family and each focus on a unique style, derived from different cultures and were invented thousands years ago and used for military purposes at a time when weapons were not effective as nowadays, but armies still train martial arts today for its benefits; self-defense, self-confidence, fitness and other benefits.
When we say Martial Arts or when we mention a specific style such as Taekwondo, Karate or Kung Fu we know from their names that they come from East Asia, but the origin of Martial Arts derived is from many Countries and not just one area, there are also many other old Martial Arts and not just the hybrid ones that come from countries far from east of Asia.