Arts We Practice

Aiki-Jujutsu is a different approach than fighting arts because physical strength is not first priority. It emphasizes how to overpower your opponent by capturing the instant of time that exists during the period of contact between you and your opponent.

Aikido is a form of martial arts that uses pinning, throwing, and joint-locking. It also uses traditional Japanese weapons, like the staff, sword, and knife. The practice was developed in the early 1900s combining centuries of martial arts systems from Japan as a foundation. Aikido differs from other forms of martial arts because it is not competitive. The goal is not to best a foe but to demonstrate proper techniques as they are learned. However, Aikido is very effective for self-defense because of its impact on the state of mind as well as the physical body.

Aikido is the most commonly practiced martial art in the world. However, as with other forms of martial arts, Aikido comes with a strong inner practice, as well. Along with physical health and integrity, the practitioner must have mental integrity, applying the Japanese traits of courage, loyalty, and uprightness, living with a sense of honor and duty. That means that Aikido is not simply about conquering a foe. The practice helps the practitioner to learn to be and live as the ideal warrior. Through this practice, the warrior develops strength as well as good character and true insight and wisdom.

Judo comes from Jujutsu. The name Judo means the “gentle or yielding way.” Unlike other fighting styles, judo is not intended to be aggressive. Instead, those who use judo as a form of combat can get a victory without injuring their foe. In addition, judo was developed so that those who learned it could apply it as a way of life rather than just a form of combat or self-defense. Judo was introduced as an official event in the Olympic Games in 1964.

Judo is known for being a martial art that utilizes grappling and throwing techniques. Even though it uses throwing and grappling, judo comes with a strict set of rules that emphasize safety of all participants. In addition, the philosophy of judo includes self-discipline as well as respect for self and others. Again, it is the “gentle or yielding way,” and those who learn judo learn why that’s the case.

Today, judo is practiced for many reasons. Some people still learn it for self-defense, while others turn to judo for exercise or even relaxation. Those who practice judo not only learn self-discipline and improve physical health but find that the more they learn, the more fun they have with it. Because of its rules and safety, judo is a great martial art practice for anyone!

Ancient legends tell of a Buddhist monk named Daruma from Okinawa, Japan who used his philosophies of mental and physical conditioning for physical strength and self-defense. His teachings not only gave rise to Ch’an in China and Zen in Japan, but the practice we now know as karate.

The practice of karate is a blend between the fighting method called te (literally, “the hand”) and Chinese kenpo. It uses punching, elbow and knee strikes, kicking, and open-handed movements known as knife-hands. Some styles also teach grappling, throws, restraints, and locks, as well. Some practices of karate may also incorporate the use of weapons, such as nunchuks, but many karate schools adhere to the traditional form of karate, which discourages the use of weapons. After all, karate is a practice of self-discipline and self-defense rather than aggression.

Karate came to the United States thanks to soldiers learning it in Okinawa after World War II. It gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s with martial arts films, and karate schools began appearing all over the world. Though many people want to learn karate so they can learn to fight, the philosophical practice of karate is meant both as self-defense and self-discipline. Strict followers of karate know that the true conflict conquered by karate is the conflict within the self.

There are many opportunities for competition in the practice of karate as well as to demonstrate knowledge and skills in the martial art. In addition, karate will be making its debut in the Olympic Games in 2020 in Tokyo, Japan.

Iaijutsu uses the Japanese sword called a katana in a quick-draw technique for combat. It was originally devised as a form of exercise for warriors.

Though it uses a weapon (the sword), iaijutsu is not necessarily aggressive. Instead, it is counter-attack oriented. However, it can be used to be aggressive against a premeditated attack against a foe.

The development of iaijutsu is not necessarily for combat situations. Rather, it was developed to apply to the warrior’s daily life outside of the battle field. However, the use of the sword is applied in other forms of martial arts. Therefore, the skills learned in iaijutsu can be useful for those who practice other forms of martial arts.