Self-Defense
There are many reasons why people would want to take up self-defense and martial arts classes. But once you make the decision, you will be faced with many different options and questions. What style? How much does it cost? Our self-defense and martial arts guide will help you choose the one that's right for you.
No Martial Arts or Self-Defense Technique is Perfect
Far too many people who are training in the conventional martial arts or in a "quicky" self-defense program - including police and security personnel by-the-way - take for granted that all they have to do to survive a real-world attack is learn a few tricks and that's it. When, according to the reality and nature of self-defense, no preset, memorized technique that you've learned in a martial arts or self-defense class is perfect in-and-of-itself for the unique situation and circumstances that you will find yourself in when you need it. And...
...that's okay.
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LEARNING TAEKWONDO
Taekwon-do is Korean for foot (tae), hand (kwon) and way, or art (do). It can thus be rendered, "the art of fighting using the hands and feet." The word "do", essentially the key to the art itself, implies a totally dedicated way of life, the pursuit of excellence.
Strictly speaking, the nomenclature, Taekwondo, is relatively recent, being coined by the Father of Taekwondo, General Choi Hong-hi in 1957, but its roots go back over 2000 tears to c.60 BC to the art of Taek Kyon. Taek Kyon was developed, like karate and Kung-fu, as a devastating, surprise tactic against the depredations of marauders, ironically, in this case, Japanese pirates.
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LEARNING KARATE
Karate, Japanese for 'Open Hand', has probably become the best known martial art in the west, apart from Kung-fu, since the 1930's. However, its complex developmental history spanning over 14 centuries has produced a bewildering plethora of styles.
From karate's humble origins in the Chinese form of Shao Lin Boxing known as kempo, initially, an integral part of monastic training, and, subsequently, a defensive form of unarmed combat against marauding bandits; through its refinement in Okinawa; its Japanese introduction in 1922; and US implementation in the 1930's, at least 28 different styles (not counting Korean Taekwon-do) have now resulted.
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