Almost all types of martial arts are of eastern origin. Many of them are even similar in general terms. Such battle systems can be divided into ancient and remake. New combat systems were formed on the basis of older ones. By improving or combining the principles of the two types, you can create something fundamentally different from other types of combat. Chinese martial arts originate in ancient times. According to legends, as well as a number of historical data, there was even a whole era in the country when about a tenth of the population practiced various martial arts.
Today, many of the types of such practices have become a regular sport or a healing system. For example, it is worth tracing the history of Wushu. Nowadays, wushu is practiced in order to keep the body in good shape. And once such a technique was a way of training soldiers. It is believed that martial arts are dangerous to teach in their original format. After all, they are operating battle systems. Most systems originated in the East. However, this does not mean that the West is behind the eastern world.
In a civilized country like France, martial art was born that can successfully withstand Chinese and Japanese systems, and even Muay Thai. We are talking about boxing “Savat”, in which kicks are allowed. It was created by sailors and street fighters who knew in detail what was necessary for successful self-defense and attack. Types of martial arts are not limited to countries of the East and West. Some systems were created in countries such as Africa, the Philippines, Brazil.
The capoeira system, which appeared in Brazil, became widespread and popular. It implies rather complex, but at the same time effective elements of combat involving kicks. Weapons are also used in capoeira. One of the most interesting types of combat is the Filipino arnis. It allows you to effectively confront both unarmed and armed opponents. Formally, the arnis is referred to the combat system with a knife. However, the techniques of this art are successfully applied in hand-to-hand combat. Types of martial arts using weapons are usually isolated from simple self-defense systems. Arnis is an exception to the rule. Although in the old days all fighters practiced both simple fist fighting and weapons tricks.
Korean martial arts are much like the Chinese and Japanese counterparts. In part, they even have similar names.
Muay Thai is a rather interesting martial art, which has a two-thousand-year history. Originating in Thailand, Thai boxing has long remained the local system of martial arts. And only in the 20th century it became popular due to the fact that few people could win the competitions in this style. Today, Thai boxing is practiced everywhere. And for Thais, practicing this sport often serves as the only way to reach people.
Muay Thai is similar to martial arts such as boxing and kickboxing. However, it differs from them. In particular, in the combat system it is customary to use elbows and knees, which is forbidden, for example, in boxing. In earlier times, even throws were used in Muay Thai. In a sports format, they were excluded.
Many types of martial arts are associated with religious beliefs and a specific philosophy. Muay Thai is no exception. However, having penetrated other countries, the arts lost their mystical component and became simply fashionable hobbies. Wushu is often used to support tone, and in Thai boxing women are recorded to lose extra pounds. Interestingly, in ancient times, the training of women in this system was generally prohibited. It was believed that a woman would bring misfortune to a warrior and cause damage to the ring itself with its mere presence.