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Traditionally, martial arts follow a certain hierarchical system when it comes to training. In Asia, martial arts training between the teacher and his disciple usually involves tenets set forth by the master. The teacher oversees the training of the student personally, and the student is expected to uphold the principles and techniques of the master’s style. The lineage of students from the master is considered to be quite important in the history and development of martial arts. It’s no wonder why the success of a student relies hugely on the teacher and why students look at the qualifications of a...

When you take a look at how martial arts came to be, you’ll find it to be a quite complex development. While martial arts has been linked to military training, it is also a product of groups of people having to defend themselves at some point, bringing about different fighting techniques associated with martial arts. As such, martial arts has successfully branched out into different styles, with each style having a unique history and technique passed on from one generation to another. Martial Arts Evolution In Asia, the teaching of martial arts takes on the traditional apprenticeship between the teacher...

Karate Kid, Kung Fu Panda, Shaolin Soccer, and Beverly Hills Ninja – who doesn’t know and love these movies? Aside from the fact that these movies take martial arts on centerstage, there’s no denying that they are also geared toward attracting the younger generation. Kids are often enamored by martial arts in one form or another and you'll find places that teach martial arts to be thriving businesses especially when it comes to young children. Martial Arts and Kids When you think about it, it’s actually a brilliant move! Of course, you want to target kids. After all, parents wouldn’t...

The following is a guest post. For the author's name and bio, please see the bottom of the post. Many people practice martial arts almost exclusively for physical fitness reasons, and these benefits are very well-documented both statistically and anecdotally. But the benefits of martial arts extend well beyond physical fitness into the realm of overall mental and physical wellness. The ancient Chinese recognized this relationship, which is why many Chinese physicians prescribed kung fu, tai chi, or another martial art form along with other elements of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), such as acupuncture or herbal remedies. The Two Nervous...

The following is a post contributed from a member of the martial arts community. You can find their bio and information at the bottom of the post. Top 5 Weapons in Martial Arts History by Jason Maine Throughout history, weapons have been instrumental in martial arts. Some are designed to disarm, others meant to cause fatal wounds. Today, many specific styles still incorporate their usage in training and competition. The following list dives into five of the more well-known historical weapons. Shuriken Commonly known as "throwing stars," shuriken are Japanese concealed weapons. Unlike what's seen in mainstream TV and movies,...