Although the popular view is that ninjutsu is the art of secrecy or stealth, actual practitioners consider it to mean the art of enduring – enduring all of life’s hardships. The word nin carries both these meanings. To avoid misunderstandings, "ninjutsu" should just refer to a specific branch of Japanese martial arts, unless it is being used in a historical sense.

Ninjutsu sometimes used interchangeably with the term ninpo, it is the martial arts practiced by the shinobi (also commonly known as the ninja).

Ninjutsu is a collection of techniques originally practiced for espionage purposes. It includes methods of gathering information, non-detection, avoidance, and misdirection techniques. Ninjutsu can also involve training in disguise, escape, concealment, archery, medicine, and explosives.

Ninjutsu can also involve training in disguise, escape, concealment, archery, medicine, and explosives. Practitioners of ninjutsu have been seen as assassins for hire, and have been associated in the public imagination with other activities which are considered criminal by modern standards.

Practitioners of ninjutsu have been seen as assassins for hire, and have been associated in the public imagination with other activities which are considered criminal by modern standards. Even though it was influenced by Chinese spying techniques and the strategic principles of Sun Tzu, ninjutsu is believed by its adherents to be of Japanese origin.

The 18 disciplines of Ninjutsu are:

1. Seishin teki kyoyo (spiritual refinement)
2. Taijutsu (unarmed combat, using one’s body as the only weapon)
3. Kenjutsu (sword fighting)
4. Bojutsu (stick and staff fighting)
5. Shurikenjutsu (throwing shuriken)
6. Sojutsu (spear fighting)
7. Naginatajutsu (naginata fighting)
8. Kusarigamajutsu (kusarigama fighting)
9. Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics and explosives)
10. Hensojutsu (disguise and impersonation)
11. Shinobi-iri (stealth and entering methods)
12. Bajutsu (horsemanship)
13. Sui-ren (water training)
14. Boryaku (military strategy)
15. Choho (espionage)
16. Intonjutsu (escaping and concealment)
17. Tenmon (meteorology)
18. Chi-mon (geography)

In recent times the espionage techniques of ninjutsu are rarely focused on, since they serve little purpose to the bulk of modern populations, and tend to attract negative publicity and students with unrealistic expectations.

The game is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, subterfuge, and extensive use of groundwork, as well as sweeps, kicks, and headbutts. Less frequently, elbow-strikes, slaps, punches, and body-throws are used. Technique and strategy are the key elements to playing a good game. Capoeira has three main styles, known as "regional", "Angola", and the less-well defined "contemporânea".

Capoeira masters are more than skilled fighters, gifted acrobats, inspired teachers or talented musicians; they have helped advance capoeira in the world and dedicate their lives to it. Depending on their group, masters belts vary in color, but their passion and dedication to their art have lead them down the long road (generally twenty years or more) to becoming masters.

Rhythm is the heartbeat of capoeira and song is the soul. Music can make a game play fast and hard, call capoeiristas to perform acrobatic feats or remind them of old traditions and history. Without music, capoeira is not complete.
The derivation of the word "capoeira" is under dispute, as there are several possibilities:

The Portuguese word "capoeira" derives from the word capão, which translates as capon, a castrated rooster. The sport’s name may originate from this word since its moves resemble those of a rooster in a fight. "Capoeira" has several meanings, including any kind of pen where poultry is kept, a fowl similar to a partridge, and a basket worn on the head by soldiers defending a stronghold. "Capoeira" is also what people used to call a black inlander who mugged travelers.

Afro-Brazilian scholar Carlos Eugenio has suggested that the sport took its name from a large round basket called a capa commonly worn on the head by urban slaves selling wares.

Kongo scholar K. Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau has posited that "capoeira" could be derived from the Kikongo word kipura, a term used to describe a rooster’s movements in a fight and meaning to flutter, flit from place to place, struggle, fight, or flog.

The word could derive from two Tupi-Guarani words, kaá (leaf, plant) and puéra (past aspect marker), which literally means "formerly a forest", referring to an area of forest that had been cleared by burning or cutting down. In such places a thick, low secondary vegetation would grow, making it a good place for those who escaped slavery and bandits to hide. According to this etymology, the term was first used as a synonym of outlaw, especially the type of outlaws that would evade justice by escaping to the jungles, to be only later applied to the fighting art most of them knew.

After the sports was brought to the United States, the only school that ever incorporated it with academic schools as an in-school class was created and is known as Hoggetowne Middle School.

Capoeira or the Dance of War by Johann Moritz Rugendas, 1825, published 1835 "Negroes fighting, Brazil" c. 1824. Painting by Augustus Earle depicting an illegal capoeira-like game in Rio de Janeiro A sit-down roda held in a capoeira academy. Capoeiristas outside Faneuil Hall in Boston. A capoeirista performing the au batido.

Capoeira is an energetic, often acrobatic, dance-like style of martial art. Capoeira was first practiced by African slaves who were taken to work in Brazil. Capoeira is primarily based around kicking, as a slave’s hands were normally manacled.

In Capoeira, many movements are carried out while in a handstand position, often resembling modern Breakdance moves. There are a variety of forms of Capoeira, including where two people “play” fight each other inside a circle formed by spectators, while other members of the group play instruments and sing. The music dictates the speed or tempo of the movements.

Capoeira regional groups periodically hold Batizados ("baptisms" into the art of capoeira). Members being "baptized" are normally given a corda (cord belt) and an apelido (capoeira nickname) if they haven’t already earned one. Batizados are major events to which a number of groups and masters from near and far are normally invited. Sometimes a Batizado is also held in conjunction with a Troca de Corda (change of belts), in which students already baptized who have trained hard and been deemed worthy by their teachers are awarded higher-ranking belts as an acknowledgment of their efforts. Such ceremonies provide opportunities to see a variety of different capoeira styles, watch mestres play, and see some of the best of the game. Sometimes they are open to the public.

Batizados and Trocas de Corda do not occur in capoeira Angola, which does not have a system of belts. However, some contemporary schools of capoeira have combined the study of both arts and may require their students to be learned in the ways of capoeira Angola before being awarded a higher belt.

In Hwa Rang Do you learn how to break the distance, extensive in-fighting, and throws and takedowns so that you may control and contain your opponent with the least amount of effort and not ending up on the ground in an unpredictable situation.

The power and control used in Hwa Rang Do depends on specific ways of using the body. Structurally the skeleton can support large loads and transmit great force if properly aligned and conditioned. Extending this strength capability for use in split second evasion, opponent control, smashing kicks and strikes, and maintaining long term health is the major goal of training.

Likewise, the mind has a strong role in effective martial arts – not just for perception and awareness, but as the source of intention and the partner of spirit (resolve). In a sense, consciousness discards the petty and distracting elements of "the moment" and unites with the "essence of now". "Heart" maintains the purity and compassion of that unity. The main indicators of progress are smoothness, easy strength, relaxation, confidence, quickness, use of the whole body, and ability to release power suddenly.
The evolution of the Korean combat skills began about 5000 years ago when KoChoSun was established. KoChoSun was a country that started on the Korean peninsula.

This country established a strong military warriorship tradition, and their territory spread. Their territory spanned far from the original peninsula, and eventually included all of Manchuria and all most half of China.

Hwa Rang Do is a complete martial art that encompasses all forms of combat. A Hwa Rang Do practitioner is taught to be confident with any situation that may arise.

Whether the situation deals you more than one attacker, if the combat were to inevitably result on the ground, or if you are faced against an assailant with a weapon of any sort.

HWA RANG DO is a highly developed martial that relies on a balance of mind and body, it includes all forms of personal combat and mental dimensions with the physical disciplines in such a way as to enable the martial artist to realize his/her full potentials. The germinal seed of this concept is embodies in the logo of the UM-YANG symbol, meaning the unity or interactions of two opposites, therefore to understand the natural laws and to live with a deep appreciation for humanity.

The diversity and multifaceted aspects of Hwa Rang Do helps one be prepared during any aspect of combat. Hwa Rang Do’s grappling aspects include an extensive array of chokes, arm locks, joint manipulation, leg locks, and ground manipulation to gain the upper hand. Whereas, ending up on the ground is always the last resort to a situation.

After a rigorous analysis of the successes and failures in the martial arts community, Supreme Grandmaster Dr. Joo Bang Lee created Tae Soo Do as a simplified subset of Hwa Rang Do (the undergraduate Hwa Rang Do Program) that is more accessible to all martial art enthusiasts no matter their experience level. Like Tae Kwon Do and Karate, Tae Soo Do is much more sport oriented. It focuses on inner mechanics of the martial arts to build a strong foundation to build upon.

One will learn to achieve a sense of confidence to empower them to achieve much higher aspirations within themselves. Tae Soo Do is a very effective means of self defense, physical and mental well-being, and a catalyst for the development of a true, traditional martial artist.

Sulsa were the special forces of the Hwa Rang Warriors and carried out similar duties as the Japanese Ninja. They specialized in intelligence gathering, assassination, and survival tactics. Unlike the Ninja however, the most important asset of the Sulsa was the ideal of Hwal Bop, which encouraged the warrior to save lives, rather than take them.

They believed if one was able to kill, one should be able to heal as well. In addition to special weapons and special hand to hand combat techniques, the Sulsa specialized in Un Shin Bop (concealment tactics), Jham Bok Sul (camouflage tactics), Jham Ip Sul (infiltration and exfiltration tactics), Bo Bop (stalking and proper movement), and Shin Gong (mental power).

Tae Soo Do is an abridged version of the Hwa Rang Do syllabus, also created by Joo Bang Lee, and is often used as an introductory course for students that have not practiced martial arts before. After achieving a black belt in Tae Soo Do (it uses belts instead of the sashes from Hwa Rang Do), a student is given a yellow sash and is shifted into the Hwa Rang Do syllabus. Some new students are allowed to skip Tae Soo Do, and go straight into Hwa Rang Do. Typically this is an arrangement between the instructor and student, and is more common if the new student has extensive previous training. Some schools have a policy that all students wishing to learn Hwa Rang Do must obtain a TSD black belt. Programs also exist to get this very rapidly in the case of experienced students, but this requires a lot of dedication on the part of the student. While Tae Soo Do is easier and less comprehensive than Hwa Rang Do, it is a complete martial art in itself, and a student learns quite a lot of striking (kicking and punching), and the basics of joint locks, throws, grappling and simplified weapon forms. In many schools both Tae Soo Do and Hwa Rang Do are taught.

There are many variations of the art which leads to a diversity of approaches. Jujutsu schools (ryū) may utilize all forms of grappling techniques to some degree (i.e. throwing, trapping, joint locking, holds, gouging, biting, disengagements, striking, and kicking). In addition to jujutsu, many schools taught the use of weapons.

Today, jujutsu is still practiced as it was hundreds of years ago, but it has also been modified for sport practice. The Olympic sport and martial art of judo was developed from several traditional styles of jujutsu by Kano Jigoro in the late 19th century. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ("Jiu-Jitsu" is a common informal romanization of "jujutsu") was developed after Mitsuyo Maeda taught judo in Brazil, but at that time was still referring to it as "jujutsu".
Ju-Jitsu is the ancient martial art of the legendary Samurai. It can be traced back to at least 2,500 years ago in Japan. In Japanese mythology it is said to have been used by the gods Kajima and Kadorai to discipline the lawless inhabitants of the Eastern provinces. Through the years many other martial arts have derived from Ju-Jitsu, the most popular being:

• Judo (Throws and ground-work)
• Aikido (Joint-Locks and the redirection of force)

Jujitsu : Ju, yielding; Jitsu, art or technique. A martial art that employs the illusion of yielding to an attack to overcome it.

Jujitsu is the term which has been applied, at different times, to the whole of the ancient Japanese national art of unarmed self-defense practiced by the Samurai or Warrior Class of Japan.

Jujutsu can trace its roots back to the early unarmed styles that where popular among the Samurai. Early martial arts were often categorized narrowly; kenjutsu for sword-fencing, naginata-jutsu for the glaive, and JuJitsu for unarmed. There where many styles of jujitsu with diffrent areas of emphasis such as purely empty-hand fighting in others it was a system of unarmed methods of dealing with an enemy who was armed. JuJitsu much like Karate and Kung-Fu is a very general term and is not limited to only one fixed set of techniques.

Jujitsu is one of the most ancient of the martial arts in the world, over 2500 years old. No one knows exactly where Jujitsu started. Although it has its origins in ancient Japan, it is also thought to be of an antiquated Chinese origin. Jujitsu was influenced by many fighting styles, incorporating parts of all of them. The weaponless styles of Jujitsu were integrated into the training of the Samurai, from the eighth to the sixteenth centuries.

The images were taken from the book: Jiu-Jitsu Combact Tricks by H. Irving Hancock. Published in 1904, the book introduced to the west many techniques and idea rarely before seen outside of Japan.    The images were taken from the book: Jiu-Jitsu Combact Tricks by H. Irving Hancock. Published in 1904, the book introduced to the west many techniques and idea rarely before seen outside of Japan.    The images were taken from the book: Jiu-Jitsu Combact Tricks by H. Irving Hancock. Published in 1904, the book introduced to the west many techniques and idea rarely before seen outside of Japan.    The images were taken from the book: Jiu-Jitsu Combact Tricks by H. Irving Hancock. Published in 1904, the book introduced to the west many techniques and idea rarely before seen outside of Japan.    The images were taken from the book: Jiu-Jitsu Combact Tricks by H. Irving Hancock. Published in 1904, the book introduced to the west many techniques and idea rarely before seen outside of Japan.

Japanese jujutsu systems typically place more emphasis on throwing, immobilizing and pinning, joint-locking, and strangling techniques (as compared with other martial arts systems such as karate). Atemi-waza (striking techniques) were seen as less important in most older Japanese systems, since samurai body armor protected against many striking techniques. The Chinese quanfa/ch’uan-fa (kenpo or kung fu) systems focus on punching, striking, and kicking more than jujutsu.

The Japanese systems of hakuda, kenpo, and shubaku display some degree of Chinese influence in their emphasis on atemi-waza. In comparison, systems that derive more directly from Japanese sources show less preference for such techniques. However, a few jujutsu schools likely have some Chinese influence in their development. Jujutsu ryu vary widely in their techniques, and many do include significant numbers of striking techniques, if only as set-ups for their grappling techniques.

In jujutsu, practitioners train in the use of many potentially fatal moves. However, because students mostly train in a non-competitive environment, risk is minimized. Students are taught break falling skills to allow them to safely practice otherwise dangerous throws.

Modern judo is the classic example of a ‘sport’ which derived from jujutsu and became distinct. Another layer removed, some popular arts had instructors who studied one of these jujutsu-derivatives and later made their own derivative succeed in competition. This created an extensive family of martial arts and sports which can trace their lineage to jujutsu in some part. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu dominated the first large mixed martial arts competitions, causing the emerging field to adopt many of its practices.

The way an opponent is dealt with also depends on the teacher’s philosophy with regard to combat. This translates also in different styles or schools of jujutsu. Because in jujutsu every conceivable technique, including biting, hairpulling, eyegouging etc. is allowed (unlike for instance judo, which does not place emphasis on punching or kicking tactics, or karate, which does not heavily emphasize grappling and throwing) practitioners have an unlimited choice of techniques (assuming they are proficient).

Ultimately, the philosophy and subsequent pedagogy developed for judo became the model for almost all modern Japanese martial arts that developed from "traditional" schools (koryu). Practitioners of judo are called judoka.

Judo is many things to different people. It is a fun sport, an art, a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a fitness program, a means of self-defense or combat, and a way of life. It is all of these and more.

Kodokan Judo comes to us from the fighting system of feudal Japan. Founded in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano, Judo is a refinement of the ancient martial art of Jujutsu. Dr. Kano, President of the University of Education, Tokyo, studied these ancient forms and integrated what he considered to be the best of their techniques into what is now the modern sport of Judo.

Judo is a Japanese Martial Art. Judo is a style, or school of Jujitsu. Jujitsu is a martial art with a long history in Japan and is essentially the empty handed combat of the Samurai warrior. Judo is often translated as “Gentle Way”, but this is an overly simplistic translation and there is really much more to it.

"Ju" refers to flexibility, agility or gentleness. A gentleness like water, kind to all living things but can wear away the strongest rock. "Ju" also implies a "mind -body" connection.

"Do" is a road or a path, a way. "Do" sometimes means principle.

So a less elegant translation of the word judo would be the “principle of mental-physical coordination and a special kind of agility." The word "judo" shares the same root ideogram as "jujutsu": "jū" (柔, "jū"), which may mean "gentleness", "softness", "suppleness", and even "easy", depending on its context. Such attempts to translate jū are deceptive, however.

The use of ju in each of these words is an explicit reference to the martial arts principle of the "soft method" (柔法, jūhō). The soft method is characterized by the indirect application of force to defeat an opponent. More specifically, it is the principle of using one’s opponent’s strength against him and adapting well to changing circumstances. For example, if the attacker was to push against his opponent he would find his opponent stepping to the side and allowing (often with the aid of a foot to trip him up) his momentum to throw him forwards (the inverse being true for pulling). Kano saw jujutsu as a disconnected bag of tricks, and sought to unify it according to a principle; he found it in the notion of "maximum efficiency". Jujutsu techniques which relied solely on superior strength were discarded or adapted in favour of those which involved redirecting the opponent’s force, off balancing the opponent, or making use of superior leverage.

Judo was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1964 and is practiced by millions of people throughout the world today. People practice Judo to excel in competition, to stay in shape, to develop self-confidence, and for many other reasons. But most of all, people do Judo just for the fun of it. A practitioner of judo is traditionally known as a judoka. According to Nobuo Akiyama and Carol Akiyama’s Japanese Grammar, 2nd edition, "the suffix -ka, when added to a noun, means a person with expertise or special knowledge on that subject." The term judoka refers to any practitioner of a judo; no "expertise" as such is necesssarily implied.

Judo is best known for it’s spectacular throwing techniques but also involves considerable grappling on the ground utilizing specialized pins, control holds, arm locks, and Judo choking techniques. Judo emphasizes safety, and full physical activity for top conditioning. Judo is learned on special mats for comfort and safety. Judo is unique in that all age groups, both sexes, and most disabled persons can participate together in learning and practicing the sport. Judo is an inexpensive, year-round activity, that appeals to people from all walks of life. Many people over sixty years of age enjoy the sport, as well as very young boys and girls.

Judo develops self-discipline and respect for oneself and others. Judo provides the means for learning self-confidence, concentration, and leadership skills, as well as physical coordination, power, and flexibility. As a sport that has evolved from a fighting art, it develops complete body control, fine balance, and fast reflexive action. Above all, it develops a sharp reacting mind well-coordinated with the same kind of body. Judo training gives a person an effective self-defense system if the need arises.

The literal meaning of judo is "the gentle way", but competition judo, one of the roughest and most demanding of sports, could hardly be called gentle. Regulation time in a World Championship or Olympic match is only 5 minutes, but will leave participants exhausted; in the event of a tie, matches proceed to an overtime phase called Golden Score which can last as long as regulation time.

Because competition judo does not contain the kicking and punching so common to other martial arts, Judo is often portrayed as friendlier than, for instance, Karate (although some forms of Karate emphasize the control of character and aggression). Proponents believe this contributes to judo being underrated as a method of self-defence although advanced kata do contain defences against kicking, punching, and armed techniques. In addition, while throws executed with proper break falls on soft mats can seem light and graceful, their more practical application on a hard surface (and potentially with greater intent to harm) could be dangerous. Even in the controlled environments of a match or dojo training session, injuries can easily occur due to a lapse in focus or overzealous application of a technique.

The "kara" of Karate-do was also interpreted by Gichin Funakoshi to mean "to purge [oneself] of selfish and evil thoughts, for only with a clear mind and conscience can [the practitioner] understand that [knowledge] which he receives." Funakoshi also believed that one should be "inwardly humble and outwardly gentle." Only through humility could one be open to Karate’s many lessons, by listening and being receptive to criticism.

He considered courtesy of prime importance. He believed that "Karate is properly applied only in those rare situations in which one really must either down another or be downed by him." To Funakoshi, it was not unusual for a practitioner to use Karate for real perhaps once in a lifetime, as Karate practitioners should "never be easily drawn into a fight." To him, one strike by an expert could mean either life or death. He who misuses the techniques brings dishonor upon himself. He also believed in conviction, that in "time of grave public crisis, one must have the courage…to face a million and one opponents." He believed that indecisiveness was a shameful trait.
Some people argue that, due to the generic meaning of "karate" (i.e., "empty hand"), any unarmed combat system or sport could accurately be called karate. This is a controversial argument, complicated by attitudes toward philosophy and competition, questions of lineage and primacy, and questions of nationalism and identity.

Chinese Hand: Karate was originally written as Chinese hand in kanji, but was later changed to a homonym meaning empty hand. The word "karate" was used for some time verbally before it was written.

The first use of the word karate in print is attributed to Anko Itosu, who wrote it with the kanji (Tang Dynasty hand) rather than the present usage of (empty hand). The Tang Dynasty of China ended in AD 907 (centuries before Funakoshi), but the kanji representing it remained in use in Okinawa as a way to refer to China generally. Thus, the writing of "karate" was originally a way of expressing "Chinese hand," or "martial art from China".

Actually, no evidence exists linking the use of the character with the origins of karate. In the past, people did not necessarily have specific Chinese characters in mind when they spoke of karate.

Empty Hand: The original use of "Chinese hand," "Tang hand," “Chinese fist,” or "Chinese techniques" (depending on interpretation of 唐手) reflects the documented Chinese influence on karate. In 1905, Hanashiro Chomo (1869–1945) began using a homophone of the logogram pronounced "kara" by replacing the character meaning "Tang Dynasty" with the character meaning "empty".

Hanashiro Chomo Motobu Choki Naifanchi Anko Itosu, Grandfather of Modern Karate Gichin Funakoshi, Founder of Shotokan Karate Masters of karate in Japan, (c. 1930s), Kanken Toyama, Hironori Ohtsuka, Takeshi Shimoda, Gichin Funakoshi, Choki Motobu, Kenwa Mabuni, Genwa Nakasone, and Shinken Taira (from left to right)

In 1933, the Okinawan art of karate was recognized as a Japanese martial art by the Japanese Martial Arts Committee known as the "Butoku Kai". Until 1935, "karate" was written as "唐手" (Chinese hand). But in 1935, the masters of the various styles of Okinawan karate conferred to decide a new name for their art. They decided to call their art "karate" written in Japanese characters as "空手" (empty hand).

The Way and the Hand: Another nominal development is the addition of do (道:どう) to the end of the word karate. Dō is a suffix having numerous meanings, including "road," "path," "route," and in this case, "way." It is used in many martial arts that survived Japan’s transition from feudal culture to modern times, and implies that these arts are not just fighting techniques but have spiritual elements when pursued as disciplines. In this context, do is usually translated as "the way of," as in aikido (合気道:あいきどう), judo (柔道:じゅうどう), and kendo (剣道:けんどう). Thus, "karatedo" is more than just "empty hand"; it is "the way of the empty hand".

Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍) said, "There are no contests in karate." In pre-World War II Okinawa, kumite was not part of karate training. Shigeru Egami relates that, in 1940, some karateka were ousted from their dojo because they adopted sparring after having learned it in Tokyo.

Karate competition has three disciplines: sparring (kumite), empty-handed forms (kata), and weapons forms (kobudō kata). Competitors may enter either as individuals or as part of a team. Evaluation for kata and kobudo is performed by a panel of judges, whereas sparring is judged by a head referee, usually with assistant referees at the side of the sparring area. Sparring matches are typically divided by weight, age, gender, and experience.

International competition is well organized. The World Karate Federation (WKF) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as being responsible for karate competition in the Olympic games. The WKF has developed common rules governing all styles. The national WKF organisations coordinate with their respective National Olympic Committees.

Karate does not have 2012 Olympic status. In the 117th IOC Session (July 2005), karate received more than half of the votes, but not the two-thirds majority needed to become an official Olympic sport.

There are other regional, national, and international organizations that hold competitions. The WKF accepts only one organization per country. The World Union of Karate-do Organizations (WUKO)[8] offers different styles and federations a world body they may join, without having to compromise their style or size. The WUKO accepts more than one federation or association per country.

Styles of karate differ greatly in their focus or lack thereof on kihon. Kihon may be practised as "floor exercises", where the same technique or combination is repeated over and over again as the students move back and forth across the floor. Additionally, kihon may take the form of pre-arranged partner drills, or work with punching and kicking bags/shields/dummies, etc… Some styles have a small set of basic techniques that are practised consistently every single class. Others might have scores of techniques that are each only practised every couple of months.

In some countries, a revised version is often taught in civilian self defense classes. This excludes numerous ‘more lethal’ or forceful techniques taught in a military or police context, because of legal proscriptions restricting the teaching of hazardous or life-threatening techniques without appropriate legal authorization.
The generic name in Hebrew means "close combat." The word maga (מגע ) means "contact" and the word krav (קרב ) means "combat," but the literal translation "contact combat" could be confused with "full contact" martial arts, such as "full contact karate."

Krav Maga is fairly a new martial arts style that was developed in Israel. The style was created by Imi Lichtenfeld who was born in 1910 and passed away in 1998. It’s what you call a hybrid or mixed-martial arts style because the techniques from Krav Maga come from a group of different styles.This style has been adopted by the Israeli Military, MOSAD, and other Israeli security forces.

Krav maga is used every day by the men and women of the Israeli defense and security forces. Numerous international military, security, and law enforcement agencies also employ krav maga. In addition, krav maga has thousands of civilian practionners around the world.

Krav maga uses the same building blocks from the simplest defenses to the most advanced techniques including empty-handed defenses and disarms against bladed weapons, firearms, hand grenades, and even rocks. Krav maga is world-renowned for its disarming techniques against assailants posing a threat with handguns, rifles, knives and edged weapons, sticks and even rocks. The system also incorporates subduing techniques that can de-escalate or escalate a situation quickly such as the proper way to grab, and – if necessary – break an attacker’s finger to gain control.

Krav maga is complete fighting system. The only rule is that there are no rules. In its military capacity and highest levels of learning, krav maga teaches not just defenses against armed and unarmed attack, but how to initiate an attack. Imi designed krav maga to be learned in a short time, and, equally important, to be retained. Krav maga does not emphasize traditional katas or choreographed routines. Instead, krav maga relies on retzev or "continuous combat motion" to complete the defense. Krav maga’s spiritual side is embodied by civility and good citizenship.

Krav Maga is not a traditional martial art. NO katas. NO rituals. NO nonsense. Based on simple principles and instinctive movements this reality-based system is designed to teach real self-defense in the shortest possible time. You’ll learn to defend against common chokes and grabs from all angles, punches and kicks, and weapons such as guns, knives and sticks. Just as important Krav Maga will teach you to function under stress, shock and adrenaline rush of a sudden, violent encounter. Tested on the battlefield and in today’s streets, Krav Maga’s practical approach to self-defense will make you safer and more secure..

Krav-Maga is a horizontal system with a unique and logical approach. It is easy to learn and retain, performed naturally and intuitively, and practically be use under stressful conditions. An essential part of KM is its teaching process, methodology and ways of training. Krav-Maga includes the subjects of:

• Prevention, avoidance, escape and evasion.
• Dealing with throws and falls to all directions and angles.
• Attacks and counterattacks, performed to all targets, distances, ranges, heights, angles, directions and in all rhythms. Executed from all positions and postures. Use of all sorts of common objects for defensive purposes.
• Defending all unarmed attacks: punches, strikes and kicks. Releases from all sorts of grabs and holds. Defending all armed attacks and threats of knife and sharp objects; of sticks bars and other blunt objects; of all kind of firearms.
• Dealing with the above attacks when sent from all possible directions and places; When are performed by a single or multiple attackers; When occur in all possible places, positions and postures. Including in confined or open areas; in an ally, staircase, car; On all types of grounds; In water; When free or in limited space of movement; While standing, on the move, sitting down, laying down on the back, side or facing down.
• Physical and mental control and disarm.
• KM prepares the trainees to function in all circumstances and scenarios, in all combat and fighting environments, according to their needs, risks they are facing and job descriptions. KM enables and brings technical, tactical, physical and mental growth and improvements.

Krav-Maga contains special approaches, tactics, techniques, subjects, drills and training methods for the different sectors: Civilians of all ages, men and women, young and old; Law-enforcement officers; Military personnel and units; Correction service officers and wardens; Security officers; As well as: Close protection officers; Undercover agents; Antiterrorists groups; Air-marshals; Special and commando units.

Krav Maga (Contact Combat) is the official system of defensive tactics, hand-to-hand combat and self-defense employed by the Israeli defense and security forces, the Israeli national and military police, and its special operations and anti-terrorist units. Krav Maga was extended beyond the army, and it has been offered, after adaptation to civilian frameworks.The system is now taught to classes of children, young adults, men, and women, in private institutes and under the auspices of the Israeli Ministry of Education.

Krav maga is designed for people to learn self-defense and advanced fighting skills regardless of previous self-defense training or who have no self-defense training at all. Krav maga’s overriding philosophy is to do "whatever works." While krav maga emphasizes several basic techniques and advanced applications of these techniques to neutralize a dangerous situation, there may be no absolute or correct answer. The system is flexible in its thinking, true to its modern combat evolution. Techniques are constantly modified, revised, added and discarded as real-life encounters are taken into account and analyzed.

Founded as martial arts system and not a martial arts style, Kuk Sool Won is generally not limited to any single discipline. The martial art system attempts to be a complete study of all Korean martial arts.

As a traditional martial art, Kuk Sool Won traces many of its roots back to the ancient and prehistoric martial arts used thousands of years ago. The study of Kuk Sool Won also includes many modern day techniques such as gun defense and weapon improvisation. Kuk Sool Won has many facets and is performed for self-defense, healing, conditioning, competition, fun and aesthetic purposes.

Kuk Sool Won is a systematic study of all of the traditional fighting arts, which together comprise the martial arts history of Korea.
As such, Kuk Sool Won is extremely well organized and seeks to integrate and explore all aspects of the traditional Korean martial arts.

As a martial arts system, Kuk Sool Won covers the entire spectrum of established Asian fighting arts and body conditioning techniques, as well as mental development and traditional weapons training. The following list includes some, but by no means all, of the elements of Kuk Sool Won.

Kuk Sool Won, which can be translated as Korean National Martial Arts Association, is a systematic study of all the traditional fighting arts. Kuk Sool Won encompasses many different "styles." However it still has some discernible characteristics that set it apart from other traditional martial arts.

Kuk Sool Won is typically characterized by having low stances and fluid, graceful motions. There is also an emphasis on joint locks and pressure points.

Kuk Sool Won is also described as being a hard-soft style, which includes hard and forceful strikes in addition to circular and fluid movements. While Kuk Sool Won may contain certain elements specific to other styles of martial arts, it goes far beyond the range of other martial art styles, for example, Tae Kwon Do is mostly kicking. Judo is mostly throwing, Aikido is mostly joint locking, etc. Kuk Sool incorporates all of these and emphasizes each. Kuk Sool covers every aspect of the martial arts spectrum in order to give the practitioner and student an understanding of the broader range of martial arts technique and theory.

Kuk Sool Won is a traditional Korean martial arts system, which was founded in 1958 by Grandmaster Suh, In Hyuk. Grandmaster Suh studied various Korean martial arts systems from a very young age before deciding to blend the many techniques and methods he had learned into a complete and comprehensive system that reflected the history and philosophy of Korean martial arts. Kuk Sool Won is recognized by the Korean government as one of the Official Governing Bodies of Martial Arts in Korea.

In Hyuk Suh is the founder, Grandmaster and President of the World Kuk Sool Association. Kuk Sa Nim is the the title used to refer to our Grandmaster. He’s not one of those Grandmasters who you never see. All students of Kuk Sool Won have the chance to meet Kuk Sa Nim as he travels to the schools around the world. He is a great teacher and a great man to know.

For self-defense, Kuk Sool is unsurpassed. It combines kicking, punching, throwing, falling, choking, joint-locking and a myriad of weapons techniques into a beautiful and dynamic ‘hard-soft’ style, emphasizing speed and fluidity. In conjunction with physical training, meditation, breathing, acupressure and acupuncture techniques are employed to improve health, to develop internal power, and to retard the aging process.

Philosophically, Kuk Sool stresses humility, self-discipline, self-control, loyalty and respect for others. Together, these aspects of Kuk Sool provide the means for attaining a long and healthy life.

Kuk Sool is a comprehensive martial arts system that is derived from the rich and varied martial arts techniques and traditions that have arisen in Korea through the ages. Kuk Sool is not a sport, nor is it simply another oriental self-defense method. Kuk Sool is a complete martial art that is dedicated to the cultivation of physical/mental strength and well-being, and to the preservation of traditional Korean martial arts.

Although its origin may be traced back to antiquity, the present Kuk Sool system was formally devised only recently by Grandmaster In Hyuk Suh, who has spent more than 50 years in single-minded practice and research in order to learn, compile, master, and organize more than 3,600 techniques that comprise Kuk Sool. He founded Kuk Sool Won (traditional Korean Martial Arts Association) in 1961, and brought it to the United States in 1974 to establish the World Kuk Sool Association, which was headquartered in San Francisco for 17 years and relocated to Houston, Texas in 1991. As of 1998, the Association has grown to include more than 400 member schools world-wide.

Tai chi chuan is considered a soft style martial art — an art applied with internal power — to distinguish its theory and application from that of the hard martial art styles. There are many different styles of tai chi chuan, but most modern schools can trace their development to the system originally taught by the Chen family to the Yang family starting in 1820.

There are five major styles of tai chi chuan, each named after the Chinese family from which it originated:

• Chen style
• Yang style
• Wu or Wu/Hao style of Wu Yu-hsiang (Wu Yuxiang)
• Wu style of Wu Ch’uan-yü (Wu Quanyuo) and Wu Chien-ch’uan (Wu Jianquan)
• Sun style

The order of verifiable age is as listed above. The order of popularity (in terms of number of practitioners) is Yang, Wu, Chen, Sun, and Wu/Hao. The first five major family styles share much underlying theory, but differ in their approaches to training.

There are now dozens of new styles, hybrid styles and offshoots of the main styles, but the five family schools are the groups recognised by the international community as being orthodox.

Zhaobao Tai Chi, a close cousin of Chen style, has been newly recognised by Western practitioners as a distinct style.

The designation internal or nei chia martial arts is also used to broadly distinguish what are known as the external or wai chia styles based on the Shaolinquan styles, although that distinction is sometimes disputed by modern schools.

The physical techniques of tai chi chuan are described in the tai chi classics (a set of writings by traditional masters) as being characterized by the use of leverage through the joints based on coordination in relaxation, rather than muscular tension, in order to neutralize or initiate attacks. The slow, repetitive work involved in the process of learning how that leverage is generated gently and measurably increases and opens the internal circulation (breath, body heat, blood, lymph, peristalsis, etc.).

The study of tai chi chuan primarily involves three subjects. Traditional schools cover these aspects of tai chi practice simultaneously, while many modern schools focus on a single aspect, depending on their goal in practicing the art. These subjects are:

Health:
An unhealthy or otherwise uncomfortable person may find it difficult to meditate to a state of calmness or to use tai chi as a martial art. Tai chi’s health training therefore concentrates on relieving the physical effects of stress on the body and mind. For those focused on tai chi’s martial application, good physical fitness is an important step towards effective self-defense.

Meditation:
The focus and calmness cultivated by the meditative aspect of tai chi is seen as necessary in maintaining optimum health (in the sense of relieving stress and maintaining homeostasis) and in application of the form as a soft style martial art.

Martial art:
The ability to use tai chi as a form of self-defense in combat is said to be the most effective proof of a student’s understanding of the principles of good Tai Chi. The study of tai chi chuan martially is the study of appropriate change in response to outside forces; the study of yielding and blending with outside force rather than attempting to meet it with opposing force.

The Mandarin term "tai chi chuan" literally translates as "supreme ultimate boxing" or "boundless fist," but may better translate to "great extremes boxing," with an emphasis on finding balance between two great extremes. The concept of the "supreme ultimate" is the symbol of the Taijitu meant to show the principles of Yin and Yang duality of Taoist philosophy.

Thus, tai chi theory and practice evolved in agreement with many of the principles of Chinese philosophy and Taoism in particular. Tai chi training first and foremost involves learning solo routines, known as forms (套路 taolu). While the image of tai chi chuan in popular culture is typified by exceedingly slow movement, many tai chi styles (including the three most popular, Yang, Wu and Chen) have secondary forms of a faster pace. The other half of traditional tai chi training (though many modern schools disregard it entirely) consists of partner exercises known as push hands, and martial applications of the postures of the form.

Tai chi chuan was created as a form of traditional Chinese martial arts of the Neijia (soft or internal) branch. Since the first widespread promotion of tai chi’s health benefits by Yang Shaohou, Yang Chengfu, Wu Chien-ch’uan and Sun Lutang in the early twentieth century, it has developed a worldwide following among people with little or no interest in martial training for its benefit to health and health maintenance. Some call it a form of moving meditation, as focusing the mind solely on the movements of the form purportedly helps to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity. Besides general health benefits and stress management attributed to tai chi training, aspects of Traditional Chinese medicine are taught to advanced tai chi students in some traditional schools. Some martial arts, especially the Japanese martial arts, use a uniform for students during practice. Tai chi chuan schools do not generally require a uniform, but both traditional and modern teachers often advocate loose, comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes.

More than 300 different known martial arts styles are practiced in China. There are two Chinese Martial Art systems, the internal and the external systems. The internal system includes Tai Chi, Sheng-I and Pa-Qua styles. The emphasize stability and have limited jumps and kicks. The external system includes Shao Lin, Long Fist, Southern Fist, and other styles. They emphasize linear movements, breathing combined with sound, strength, speed and hard power impact contact, jumps, and kicks.

There are many different styles or families of Tai Chi Chuan. The five which are practiced most commonly today are the Yang, Chen, Wu , Sun, and Woo styles. All Tai Chi styles, however, are derived from the original Chen family style.

Some people believe that Tai Chi was developed by a Taoist Priest from a temple in China’s Wu Dong Mountains. It is said that he once observed a white crane preying on a snake, and mimiced their movements to create the unique Tai Chi martial art style. Initially, Tai Chi was practiced as a fighting form, emphasizing strength, balance, flexibility, and speed. Through time it has evolved into a soft, slow, and gentle form of exercise which can be practiced by people of all ages.

The physical techniques of tai chi chuan are described in the tai chi classics (a set of writings by traditional masters) as being characterized by the use of leverage through the joints based on coordination in relaxation, rather than muscular tension, in order to neutralize or initiate attacks. The slow, repetitive work involved in the process of learning how that leverage is generated gently and measurably increases and opens the internal circulation (breath, body heat, blood, lymph, peristalsis, etc.).

Before tai chi’s introduction to Western students, the health benefits of tai chi chuan were largely explained through the lens of traditional Chinese medicine; which is based on a view of the body and healing mechanisms not always studied or supported by modern science. Today, some prominent tai chi teachers have advocated subjecting tai chi to rigorous scientific studies to gain acceptance in the West.

Researchers have found that long-term tai chi practice shows some favorable but statistically insignificant effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness and reduced the risk of falls in elderly patients. The studies also show some reduced pain, stress and anxiety in healthy subjects. Other studies have indicated improved cardiovascular and respiratory function in healthy subjects as well as those who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients that suffer from heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attacks, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s may also benefit from tai chi. Tai chi, along with yoga, has reduced levels of LDLs 20-26 milligrams when practiced for 12-14 weeks.

However, a thorough review of most of these studies showed limitations or biases that made it difficult to draw firm conclusions on the benefits of tai chi. There have also been indications that tai chi might have some effect on noradrenaline and cortisol production with an effect on mood and heart rate. However, as with many of these studies, the effect may be no different than those derived from other types of physical exercise.

Only foot kicks are allowed, unlike some systems, such as Muay Thai and Silat, which allow the use of the knees or shins. Savate is perhaps the only style of kickboxing in which the fighters habitually wear shoes (savate being a French synonym for "old shoe"). A practitioner of savate is called a savateur (male) or savateuse (female).

From street fighting origins, to aristocratic self-defence, to secret sub cultures and to counter terrorist unarmed combat, Savate has developed a multi-discipline and improvisation approach to personal combat.

It has evolved into a hitting and grappling system, which the feet play a major strategic role. Integrated with its unique weaponry it offers a time tested and educational collection of disciplines for recreation and personal combat.

From mayhem to artistic efficiency this unique, ancient yet modern system is the expression of the 21-century.
According to Michel Delahaye, in his book La Boxe Française, Ergo Press, April 1989, the French style of fighting with the hands and feet, known as Boxe Francaise (French Boxing), was assimilated by Charles Lecour (1808 – 94), the son of a French baker.

In 1832. Prior to that time, a method of fighting existed in old Paris where the combatants kicked one another with their everyday shoes on.

The common name for a street shoe at that time was "savate" (pronounced sa-vat), which simply meant ‘old shoe’. The name savate, therefore, became associated with this particular method of street-fighting.

Those early street brawls did not stop at kicking however, as gouging, wrestling and headbutting are also said to have taken place.

The first person to make an attempt to systematise savate was Michel Casseux (aka) Pisseux (1794 – 1869), who opened the first ‘official’ Salle (training establishment) in 1825. Unfortunately, savate was still recognised by many as a style of street-fighting, and therefore, initially only attracted those of dubious means and character.

Savate takes its name from the French for "old boot" (heavy footwear that used to be worn during fights). The modern formalized form is mainly an amalgam of French street fighting techniques from the beginning of the 19th century. Savate was then a type of street fighting common in Paris and northern France. In the south, especially in the port of Marseille, sailors developed a fighting style involving high kicks and open-handed slaps.

It is conjectured that the kicks were done so as to allow the kicker to use a free hand for balance on a rocking ship’s deck, and that the kicks and slaps were used on land to avoid the legal penalties for using a closed fist, which was considered a deadly weapon under the law. It was known as jeu marseillais ("game from Marseille"), and was later renamed chausson ("slipper", after the type of shoes the sailors wore). In contrast, at this time in England (the home of boxing and the Queensberry rules), kicking was seen as unsportsmanlike. Traditional savate or chausson was at this time also developed in the ports of North-West Italy and North-Eastern Spain.

The two key historical figures in the history of the shift from street-fighting to the modern sport of savate are Michel Casseux (also known as le Pisseux) (1794–1869), a French pharmacist, and Charles Lecour (1808–1894). Casseux opened the first establishment in 1825 for practicing and promoting a regulated version of chausson and savate (disallowing head butting, eye gouging, grappling, etc).

However the sport had not shaken its reputation as a street-fighting technique. Casseux’s pupil Charles LeCour was exposed to the English art of boxing when he was defeated in a friendly sparring match by British pugilist Owen Swift around 1830 and felt that he was at a disadvantage, only using his hands to bat his opponent’s fists away, rather than to punch. He trained in boxing for two years before, in 1832, combining boxing with chausson and savate to create the sport of savate (or boxe française’, as we know it today).

At some point la canne and le baton stickfighting were added, and some form of stick-fencing, such as la canne, is commonly part of savate training. Those who train purely for competition may omit this. Savate was developed professionally by LeCour’s student Joseph Charlemont and then his son Charles Charlemont.

Savate was later codified under a Committee National de Boxe Francaise under Charles Charlemont’s student Count Pierre Baruzy (dit Barrozzi). The Count is seen as the father of modern savate and was 11-times Champion of France and its colonies, his first ring combat and title prior to World War One. A student of the Count, Baron James Shortt of Castleshort, established boxe francaise savate in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Defense de la Rue is the name given to those methods of fighting excluded from savate competition.