Eight Martial Arts You Likely Never Heard of That You May Want to Try for Exceptional Fitness
by www.SixWise.com
"It's the new trendy, cool kind of sport and way to
get fit," says Adrianne Fekete, president of Xtreme Couture
Canada Inc., a new type of gym that is catering to people
interested in mixed martial arts (MMA), in The Canadian Press.
Fekete is referring to mixed martial arts (MMA), which encompasses
a wide range of traditional and more modern martial arts.
But while MMA may be new, the discipline itself has existed
since ancient times. Many of the martial arts styles originated
in East Asian cultures, and had Indian influences that combined
self-defense, physical health, spiritual enlightenment and
emotional well-being.
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Today, their popularity has remained strong among people
looking to get in shape both physically and mentally. If you
are interested in taking up martial arts, however, there are
countless styles to choose from that vary from slow and meditative
to intense and very physical.
How can you choose? Take a look through the martial arts
styles below to see what appeals to you -- they range from
popular to more obscure, yet they all offer exceptional fitness,
and emotional, benefits.
1. Krav Maga
Krav Maga is the official combat system of the Israeli Defense
force, which has been adapted as a form of self-defense. This
is a hand-to-hand combat system that teaches you how to escape
from common chokes, grabs, bearhugs and other attacks, and
how to disarm an assailant. It also incorporates cardio classes,
heavy bag work and sports conditioning designed to burn fat
and tone muscle.
2. Muay Thai
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Many people are drawn to martial arts because it improves
both your physical stamina and your emotional well-being.
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Muay Thai means "Thai Boxing," and it evolved from
the hand-to-hand tactics of the Thai army. It involves kickboxing,
punches and other moves to knock out an opponent. Muay Thai
helps you develop cardiovascular endurance, speed, strength
and a "fighting spirit."
3. Brazilian Jujutsu
If you want to know how to break out of a hold while on the
ground, Brazilian jujutsu is for you. This is a ground-fighting
art, typically performed on a mat, that teaches you to overcome
an opponent.
4. Tai Ji
Tai
Ji is an "internal" style of self-defense that
focuses on blending in with, and yielding to, the opposing
force, rather than attempting to meet it. Tai Ji addresses
three areas -- health, meditation and martial art (though
some styles focus more heavily on the health and meditation
aspects). It focuses on physical health by teaching the student
to release stress in the mind and body. The meditative focus
comes from the calm and repetition necessary to learn this
ancient art.
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Boost Your Martial Arts Techniques
With Stretching
Proper stretching is one of the most widely recommended
methods to help you look and feel younger, live longer,
and avoid -- and even overcome -- serious health issues.
It is also a must if you engage in any type of physical
activity.
No matter which martial art you enjoy, the Stretching
Toward a Healthier Life DVD by Jacques Gauthier is a
necessary partner.
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It presents 15 stretches that stretch all the key
muscles groups throughout your entire body (something
we did not see with several other guides we reviewed)
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It only takes about 15-20 minutes per day total
to do the complete stretching
Read
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5. Fanzi Quan (Tumbling Chuan)
Fanzi Quan is a Chinese martial art that focuses on the combination
of internal and external strength and energy. It includes
a series of tumbling boxing moves that include jabbing, elbowing,
lifting, and turning. The movements are performed in a rhythmic
manner, with slow and fast, continuous and intermittent actions.
6. Pancrase
The goal of pancrase is the completion of "total fight,"
which refers to knowing the best of all the martial arts styles
in the world. Pancrase fighters are allowed to use techniques
from Karate, Judo, Sambo, Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, Kempo,
and Thai boxing, and are trained to quickly switch from one
to the other.
7. Cuong Nhu
Cuong Nhu is a relatively new (founded in 1965) martial art
from Vietnam. It involves both "hard" techniques,
such as those from Karate, and "soft" techniques,
such as those from Tai Chi. Students focus not only on the
physical moves but also on a Code of Ethics that teaches self-control,
modesty and a non-defeatist attitude.
8. Aikido
Aikido originated in Japan in 1942. Rather than focusing
on punches and kicks, Aikido focuses on evasion and "circular
redirection" of an aggressive force by moving into a
position away from the attack, gaining control by means of
leverage and timing, or by immobilizing the attacker with
a wrist/arm lock or other move. Students focus on the principles
of movement, distancing and timing.
Recommended Reading
The
Health Benefits of the Ancient (and Enjoyable) Art of Tai
Ji
The
Health Benefits of Dancing -- Including Specific Benefits
of Different Dances
Sources
The
Canadian Press January 23, 2008
Atlanta
Martial Arts Directory
Krav Maga
Worldwide