Martial Arts

Londonpma.com, your best source for everything you need to know about martial arts!
If you’re interested in combat styles, at Londonpma.com you’ll be able to find more than enough information about the most well-known disciplines around the world. At out site, you can find reliable facts about Aikido, Karate, Kung Fu, Jiu Jitsu, Capoeira and much more. Are you just think of starting training on any of these martial arts styles? Don’t worry, with our extensive knowledge and reliable and easy-to-understand information, you’ll be able to choose the right style for you without complications.
With the valuable information you’ll find at Londonpma.com you’ll have a wide understanding about martial arts, not only on the actual practice but also on each style’s history, which makes the entire experience of undergoing martial arts training significantly richer. Unlike what most people usually believe, martial arts doesn’t refer only to Asian combat styles; this term also covers all the different systems that developed not only in different countries but in different civilizations in ancient times.
It is important to make a brief introduction to martial arts before moving on to more specific styles. The actual term "martial arts" makes reference to Mars, the god of war in Ancient Rome. This provides a pretty accurate definition: arts of war. Martial Arts can be defined as the different practices of combat training. Almost all combat styles have as objective to be able to defend others, as well as self-defense, from a potentially dangerous situation. However, there are some that combine this with religious or spiritual beliefs, such as Daoism, Hinduism, Shinto, Buddhism, among others. Others incorporate that spiritual part with a code of honor which one must follow so one doesn’t abuse this defense technique.
Over the years, people have turned to martial arts training, not only for its defense techniques but also because it has great benefits for a person’s health, not only physically but also mentally. Physically speaking, martial arts training helps boost a person’s overall fitness, as the entire body is worked out and the muscular system is used completely. If you combine this type of training with a healthy diet, combat styles can help overcome diseases and problems that are common among people nowadays because of their sedentary lifestyle. Likewise, these combat disciplines also help people with their mental health: studies have shown that it specially improves people’s self-control, self-esteem and overall well-being.
For easier understanding, martial arts styles are usually grouped in four: Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Brazilian combat styles. At times, Indian combat styles are considered as a fifth group, but this type of discipline is not as widely know as the ones mentioned previously. Starting with the first group, Korean combat styles are quite influenced by their Japaneses and Chinese counterparts, which help conceive common disciplines like Taekwondo and Hapkido. Korean martial arts styles are, without a doubt, some of the most popular, especially Taekwondo. In European countries and in the Unites States, people often prefer practicing Taekwondo as it provides important knowledge on self-defense techniques, as well as both mental and physical strength.
Next in line are Japenese martial arts styles. These combat styles started to appear in Medieval times in Japan and were performed by Samurais so they could have a way to defend themselves from enemy attacks. This type of combat styles were deeply influenced by the Chineses, though through time it was slowly adapted to fit their own culture. The most common Japanese disciplines are Jujutsu, Kendo, Judo, Aikido and Karate. Of all these, karate is the most popular martial art, followed by Aikido, which is considered one of the most artistic ones in Japan.
Next are the Chinese martial arts styles, which can be considered to be some of the most traditional ones throughout history. It is precisely because of this that has a large number of different styles. When it comes to contests and competitions, these combat styles are divided in six: weapon forms, power demonstration, empty-handed forms, choreographed forms, sparring competition and group practice. Regardless of this classification, the two most popular styles, as far as Chinese combat systems go, are Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan. These two have especially become widely popular in the United States, where they have been included as part of regular fitness routines.
Last but not least are the Brazilian martial arts styles. This specific classification has become greatly known worldwide because of one of the most popular martial arts styles not only in Brazil but around the world: capoeira. Capoeira was created by this country’s slaves over 400 years ago as a way to protect themselves. This Brazilian combat style is often referred as a martial dance, since it includes not only combat movements but also music and dance. Capoeira specially employs a great deal of flexibility, fitness and endurance.
Regardless of what martial art you are specifically interested, at Londonpma.com, you’ll find the most reliable and up-to-date information on the subject.