The Samurai were the hereditary military nobility of Japan and were adept at a multitude of both armed and unarmed combat techniques. They were skilled in the use of the longbow, the Naginata – a long bladed pole weapon, and the Yari – a straight headed spear. However, it is perhaps the sword that embodies …
Shotokai is the name of the association formed by Gichin Funakoshi “the father of modern karate” in 1935 and has since become a style of karate whose practitioners believe accurately reflects the teachings of Master Funakoshi. This move to a formal style of karate was solidified in 1956 when Genshin Hironishi became the President of …
Capoeira is originally from Brazil where it was developed and practiced by African slaves during the 16th Century. The style is highly acrobatic involving cartwheels and backflips. Flowing, dance-like movements are characteristic of the martial art and are designed to prevent the practitioner from being still and open to attack. Leg strikes are the dominant …
Capoeira is a highly athletic Brazilian martial art that is practiced in the form of a game: two capoeiristas play inside a circle formed by the remaining members of the group who sing to the music of the band.. The band is an integral part of capoeira, determining the pace, style and aggressiveness of the …
Perhaps the most famous martial artist of all time was Bruce Lee. A skilled martial artist, an instructor, and movie star, perhaps his most significant contribution was Jeet Kune Do (‘Way of the Intercepting Fist’). This recommended the incorporation of techniques from other martial arts into a fighter’s repertoire. Another martial art that also …
Bruce Lee is perhaps the world’s most famous martial arts practitioner. Born in 1940 in China Town in San Francisco, he was raised in Hong Kong, China, and later studied Kung Fu with Grand master Ip Man. He also practiced boxing (winning a Hong Kong schools boxing tournament). During his teenage ears, he was frequently …
When I think of Tai Chi, I typically think of elderly Chinese practicing slow graceful movements in a park as the sun rises. However, Tai Chi has now gained worldwide popularity and is performed by people of all ages. I’ve often looked at the slow graceful movements that make up this art and have wondered …
I’ve practiced Karate for many years and it was only when a fellow karateka mentioned that he also studied Tai Chi that I wanted to find out about this other martial art. Tai Chi is performed in what appears to be slow motion as the practitioner gracefully transitions between different techniques and stances. I thought …
Switch onto any documentary about China’s culture and you’re likely to see scenes of parks filled with elderly Chinese residents performing slow, graceful movements in unison. They are performing an ancient martial art called Tai Chi which consists of highly structured patterns of movement that transition from prescribed stances and positions. There is a huge …
China is famous for its vast number of fighting styles. Perhaps two of the best known are Tai Chi and Kung Fu. For me, Tai Chi is typified by scenes of groups of elderly Chinese practising slow graceful movements early in the morning. Kung fu, on the other hand, consists of acrobatic high kicks and …
