There are so many different martial arts styles available to study. This is the first part of a list of martial arts styles, one for each letter of the alphabet, along with their accepted country of origin. Some are well known, others not so much. I’ve stayed away from the “big 4″ — karate, judo, t’ai chi, and tae kwon do — and focused on other styles from various parts of the world. Where possible, I’m including a link to a video of that style.
- Aikido (Japan): Developed by Morihei Ueshiba, Aikido attempts to use an attacker’s own force against him. Practitioners attempt to blend with an attacker’s movements and redirect them, rather than stopping the attacks head-on.
> - Boabom (Tibet): Like the better known T’ai Chi, Boabom combines relaxation and meditation with self-defense. Though primarily used as a means of helping a student gain maximum health and energy, its techniques can be used in a combat situation.
- Capoeria (Brazil): Developed by African slaves, Capoeria looks like a dance, but is also a very effective martial arts system. Its movements are extremely fluid and highly acrobatic. It makes use of kicks and leg sweeps and, to a lesser extent, elbow strikes, punches, slaps and throws.
- Dambe (Nigeria): A type of boxing, dambe fighters wrap one hand in knotted rope for their main striking hand. The lead leg is often wrapped in a chain and used for both defending and striking. Bouts end when one opponent’s hand, knee, or body touches the ground or when an opponent (or official) calls a halt.
- Emei Quan (China): One of the most popular arts in China, Emei Quan is both an internal and external movement style. It has a number of animal styles and comprises both empty-hand and weapons techniques.
Other Posts in this Series:
- An A-to-Z List of Martial Arts Styles: Part 1 (A – E)
- An A-to-Z List of Martial Arts Styles: Part 2 (F – J)
- An A-to-Z List of Martial Arts Styles: Part 3 (K – O)
- An A-to-Z List of Martial Arts Styles: Part 4 (P – T)
- An A-to-Z List of Martial Arts Styles: Part 5 (V – Z)
Tags: aikido, boabom, capoeira, dambe, emei quan, Styles, videos
I find this interesting. I have long wanted to find (or write) my own martial arts chart focusing on what developed from what. Not so much a dictionary as a family tree.
I’ve been thinking recently that at some point in the future, I might shift to a more “yin” approach. My school, which is a blend, is very yang. All hitting and power. I’ve grown curious about the yin/energy side of the traditional martial arts and have started researching it lately.