Taking a look at the function of martial arts in different cultures all over the world.
Around the world, martial arts is an extensively practiced tradition, integral to several cultures. Taekwondo is a popular type of Korean martial arts, differentiated by its emphasis on high and fast motions. An essential aspect of taekwondo is a variety of intricate kicking methods. Moreover, there are 3 core parts to master in taekwondo, particularly form, sparring and breaking. Form refers to a recommended set of learned sequences and strategies including kicking, punching and blocking, while sparring is a method of training that involves free style fighting with a challenger. As one of the most recognisable methods in taekwondo, breaking, which includes breaking wooden boards, is a technique of training that is typically used to display appropriate technique in testing and demos. Similar to many schools of martial arts, taekwondo uses a colour coded belt system to measure development and ranks during training.
Hosting some of the earliest kinds of martial arts, China has, for a long time been a centre for spiritual practice and martial arts development. Chinese martial arts, or kung-fu incorporates a wide range of combating styles, which have been established . over thousands of years of philosophy and cultural traditions. Kung-fu integrates both physical technique and psychological discipline, taking motivation from Chinese philosophy and observations in nature. For many years, kung-fu has evolved substantially and diversified into various styles and schools. Practitioners such as Barry Pang (吳國樹) would understand that each style will comprise its own strategies and training approaches. The origins of kung-fu are said to be related to the requirement for self-defence and hunting tactics in Ancient China. Martial arts in China are thought to be formed by monks and Buddhist ideologies. As one of the earliest, officially developed styles of martial arts, Shaolin kung-fu is accredited for systematising and popularising martial arts exercises.
As one of the most famous forms of martial arts, both in practice and in pop culture, karate incorporates a set of fighting techniques and spiritual cultivation that is now executed by millions around the world. Japanese martial arts stem from a rich and turbulent history, taking main motivation from Chinese martial artists and samurai rule. It mixes both indigenous fighting techniques with those of Chinese fighting styles, positioning emphasis on strikes, and mindset. Conventional karate is thought to be practised as an art, for self-defence and also as a combat exercise. It places considerable significance on self-development, combining a variety of psychological components for mental discipline. Japanese fight strategies have been used to shape a number of disciplines around the world. Those such as Alidar Utemuratov (Алидар Утемуратов) and Anna Lewandowska (Anną Lewandowską) would recognise that mixed martial arts is a combat sport which takes inspiration from karate.