| There are opportunities in martial arts training to learn | | | | weapons. Because most weapons have some weight |
| to use various martial arts weapons. Many martial | | | | to them, their use will help develop muscle tone and |
| arts schools, especially those that teach Japanese | | | | strength. Performing forms or katas with weapons |
| karate and Chinese kung fu styles have weaponry as | | | | will also develop coordination. In today's world, martial |
| part of their overall curriculum. Popular weapons from | | | | arts weapons may not be as practical as the days of |
| karate systems include the bo staff, kama, sai, | | | | the past when it was acceptable to carry weapons |
| sword, nunchaku and tonfa. Chinese kung fu styles | | | | wherever one traveled. However, with some |
| have broadsword, 3 section staff, kwan do, whip | | | | understanding of weapons techniques, a martial artist |
| chain, butterfly knives as well as their own versions | | | | today can turn almost any household item such as an |
| of staff. Of course, there are many other types of | | | | umbrella, cane or even a set of keys into weapons |
| weapons in martial arts but the above are the more | | | | of self defense if required. Another important point |
| common ones taught. Some of the more exotic | | | | that shouldn't be ignored is that most practitioners will |
| weapons include the fan, rope dart and the hook | | | | claim that training with martial arts weapons is a lot |
| swords. Martial arts weapons can be divided into | | | | of fun. |
| short and long range. An example of a short range | | | | However, not all martial arts clubs and studios will |
| weapon would be a pair of sai. The bo staff would | | | | teach weapons. Many tae kwon do schools for |
| be a long range weapon because of the longer reach. | | | | example do not include weapons in their overall |
| Weapons can also be divided into bladed and | | | | training. This is not to say that Korean martial arts do |
| non-bladed. Kamas and swords of course would be | | | | not have weapons. The Korean martial art kuk sool |
| bladed weapons where staffs and nunchakus would | | | | won features the staff, sword and cane. So if a |
| be non-bladed. In most training situations with bladed | | | | martial arts student wishes to learn the use of |
| weapons, the blades are not live. That is, the blades | | | | weapons, a school that includes them in their training |
| of swords and kamas are blunt rather than sharp. | | | | should be sought after. Another alternative for |
| This adds to the safety aspect of martial arts | | | | students who are otherwise happy with their martial |
| weapons training. Weapons can also come in different | | | | arts club that doesn't have weapons training is to get |
| weights from heavy traditional models down to ultra | | | | supplementary private instruction from instructors |
| light weight versions for forms competition. | | | | who can provide it. |
| Martial arts weapons are considered as extensions of | | | | Weapons training can open up a whole new |
| a martial artist's own body. For example, strikes with | | | | dimension to overall martial arts training. Even |
| a weapon are really extended hand strikes. Blocks | | | | advanced tai chi practitioners use swords in some of |
| with weapons are modeled after traditional martial art | | | | their forms. It doesn't matter if sometimes the |
| blocking techniques. Therefore, it is important for | | | | swords are made entirely of wood either since the |
| martial arts students to be relatively proficient with | | | | actual weapons techniques will still be used in the |
| martial arts techniques using their own bodies first | | | | forms. For many martial arts competitors, weapons |
| before learning to use any martial arts weapon. This | | | | forms are their favorite divisions to compete in. From |
| will help the students understand the applications | | | | a spectator point of view, weapons forms can be |
| behind each weapons technique much better. In most | | | | very exciting to watch especially when weapons |
| Japanese karate schools, weapons training won't be | | | | such as whip chains or kamas with strings are used |
| offered until students reach an intermediate level | | | | since their presentations are so dynamic and even |
| such as green or blue belt. There are martial arts that | | | | somewhat dangerous to the user. Such weapons |
| are strictly weapons oriented. An example is | | | | have caused injuries to users when certain techniques |
| Japanese kendo which is modeled after samarai | | | | were sloppy or mistimed. But like other aspects of |
| sword fighting. Philipino arnis is stick fighting which | | | | martial arts, proficiency with a martial art weapon |
| was developed in the South Pacific islands. | | | | after much hard training can bring a high sense of |
| There are many benefits in training with martial arts | | | | satisfaction to a martial artist. |