3. EXPLORE THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF MARTIAL ARTS AVAILABLE
The guide to the martial arts that we provide here is by necessity very general and incomplete. You'll want to seek out more information, in books, magazines, and on the Net, before making your final decision. Many of the general features attributed to each martial art will vary among styles and schools within that discipline. Further, many of the skills emphasized in one discipline will also cross over into another. Modern instructors are likely to incorporate additional skills into their teaching that they consider important. They will still, however, maintain the central emphases of their chosen discipline.Karate
Tae Kwon Do
Judo
Other popular forms: Kung Fu, Jiu-jitsu, and Aikido
The cost of studying martial arts
Karate
Overview: Karate is the descendant of very early martial arts styles. In the tenth century an ancient art called Te, from the island of Okinawa, was unified with Chinese and Japanese combat styles to create what would become Kara-Te, commonly translated as "empty hand." The name "empty hand" signifies the discipline's emphasis on self-defense without weapons, although karate students do not reject weapons altogether (that would be the "empty head" style of martial arts). While there are many styles of karate taught worldwide, one of the of the most popular styles in North America is the Japanese Shotokan style, which emphasizes low stances, open movements, and powerful thrusting kicks. And yes, you really do get to break boards as an advanced karate student. Big deal. As martial arts superstar Bruce Lee once remarked, "Boards do not fight back."
Physical emphasis: Karate is a very energetic martial art, focusing on strikes and kicks. These will strengthen both upper and lower limbs. Karate also improves strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness.
Availability: School availability is high, in urban centers as well as in suburban and rural mini-malls nationwide.
Tae Kwon Do
Overview: Tae kwon do, or the "foot hand way," derives from ancient Korean combat styles, and began to evolve into its modern form when the Korean government encouraged its development following the nation's liberation at the close of World War II. (This is why your instructor will probably hang a Korean flag over your training floor - not because he has mistaken Chicago for Seoul.) Developed originally for the purposes of self-defense, tae kwon do has further gained renown as a competitive sport, and in the past ten years has become a medal-status Olympic event.
Physical emphasis: Tae kwon do emphasizes impressive high kicks while including hand techniques in its arsenal. It therefore promotes cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and muscle strength, with an emphasis on the lower body.
Availability: School availability is high, in urban centers as well as in suburban and rural areas.
Judo
Overview: Judo, or the "gentle or soft way," is a modernized, more practical form of jiu-jitsu, created in the nineteenth century. In judo, competitors learn to use leverage to throw an opponent of any size to the floor. In 1964, the discipline gained the legitimacy of acceptance as a medal-status Olympic sport.
Physical emphasis: The objective of a judo technique is to throw your opponent off-balance, using skill rather than strength to take him/her down. It is therefore in many ways more of a mental than physical discipline. Having said that, a judo student will find that his/her general health, strength and flexibility will improve moderately with regular training.
Availability: Generally high, though schools may be somewhat easier to find in urban areas.
Other popular forms: Kung fu, jiu-jitsu, and aikido
Kung fu, meaning "skill" or "art," is a Chinese discipline that had its origins more than two thousand years ago, and was shaped over many hundreds of years in the legendary Shaolin temples. Kung fu focuses on strikes and kicks, as well as developing balance and speed. Training in kung fu improves health and self-discipline. Fitness demands are moderate to high, depending on the intensity of your training regimen. Availability of schools is moderate - they're more likely to be found in urban centers than in outlying areas.
Jiu-jitsu, the "soft or gentle art," evolved from combative methods employed by ancient Japanese samurai, most likely in combination with techniques practiced by Chinese monks and Japanese commoners. This discipline favors strikes and throwing or grappling techniques to turn an opponent's own strength against him. There is little focus on flexibility, but may be an excellent activity to improve cardiovascular conditioning. Availability of schools is moderate.
Aikido, "the way of the harmonious spirit," is a Japanese style of self-defense developed in the nineteenth century. Aikido techniques rely on using the opponent's own momentum and force against him, through coordinated movements like holds, throws, and locks. Aikido is largely a mental art of nonresistance - the fitness benefits of its study are outweighed by the mental and spiritual benefits. Availability of schools is generally high, but they are more likely to be found in urban than outlying areas.
The cost of studying martial arts
Oh yeah. . . paying for it. . . Well, many universities offer classes for free or at a relatively low cost to students. But what you gain in affordability may be at the cost of convenient class times, contact with instructors, and the ability to advance in rank; check with the class's organizers to find out what the details are. If such a program doesn't appeal to you, or if you're a productive member of society (i.e., a non-student), you'll have to add cost considerations to your decision.
A private school's introductory course may run from $20 to $100. The white cotton uniform used in karate or tae kwon do, also called a gi, will probably run you around $40, but may be as much as $100. The heavier uniform used in judo, jiu-jitsu, or aikido will have a higher price, upwards of $50, while the cotton or satin uniform required by your kung fu program may range anywhere from $40-$300. For lessons or classes, you may pay $40 to $100 a month, and more if a regular individual lesson is included in your training (a great advantage if you can find such a program and can afford it.) Some schools will include fees for belt testing with the tuition, while others may charge between $20 and $40 per belt test. Participation in tournaments may command an additional fee. As you advance in rank, you can expect to spend another few hundred dollars on protective gear for sparring, and more for traditional weapons, if your program includes these activities.
