Top 3 Asian Martial Arts

Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is known as Thailand’s national sport and cultural martial art. It was developed and practiced decades ago as a form of close-combat that utilizes the entire body as a weapon. Usually referred to as “The Art of Eight Limbs”, Muay Thai uses 8 points of the body to imitate the weapons.  To give a clearer picture, the hands imitate swords, shins and forearms mimic the weight and shape of a hammer. For further example, the knees and elbows constantly searching and testing for an opening while grappling and trying to spin an enemy to the ground for the kill.

Muay Thai has been playing a big role in Thailand in several eras from past to present, especially in young men. It has become a part of “military art” and has become encultured in the Kingdom of Siam. Young men practiced the art form for various reasons: self-defense, exercise, and self-discipline. Muay Thai has reached its golden times during the reign of King Rama V. The king promoted tournaments and made sure Muay Thai gained more international recognition. 

In the present day, Muay Thai is the most popular Asian martial art. It was also accepted as an Olympic sport. Not only new training camps and gyms open around the globe, but Muay Thai shorts are also surprisingly popular among men and also women as a fashion item. The reason might be because of the graphic designs, patterns, and uniqueness which is known as one of the national symbols Thais are proud of. 

2. Taekwando

Taekwondo is one of the most organized and controlled Korean traditional martial arts, that teaches more than physical fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and life through body and mind training. Taekwondo has also become a global sport that has gained an international reputation and stands among the official games in the Olympics.

Taekwondo is the right way of using Tae and Kwon 'fists and feet’. Second, it is a way to control or calm down fights and keep the peace. Taekwando has a much deeper meaning and connection towards the body and the world than just martial art. Taekwondo synchronizes all parts of the body, mind, and life. It is believed that Taekwondo practitioners make your mind calm by balancing body movements and training the mind. The secret value behind Taekwondo is the way it leads practitioners’ minds to grow. 

Japanese, Karate means “empty hands”. Martial arts is an unarmed combat martial art that employs punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes, and open-hand techniques such as knife-hands, spear-hands, and palm-heel strikes. Karate concentrates on the body’s strength at the point of an impact. Karate initially grew in East Asia over a period of centuries, becoming systematized in Okinawa in the 17th century. It is speculated that Karate evolved from the rule that people were forbidden to carry weapons, during those years.  Karate was imported into Japan in the 1920s. Several schools and systems developed, each favoring somewhat different techniques and training methods. To master Karate, everything counts. Tactic, spirit, timing, the mind, and physical strength all play a part. Karate, like other Asian martial arts, consists of discipline, a positive attitude, rituals of courtesy, costumes, and a ranking system, by the color of the practitioners’ belt. Karate has gained even more fame worldwide after the movie, “Karate Kid”, starred by Jaden Smith was released. The movie received a high rating and delivered a cheering message to the audience which is “When life knocks you down, we have to choose to get back up.” This is the moral theme spoken by the main characters in the film stresses the importance of self-esteem, pride, sportsmanship, courage, and confidence.