| "Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like | | | | and self-defense skills its brings. The real value of |
| water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes | | | | martial arts is is helping individuals harness their natural |
| the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the | | | | strength. The power within-the spirit and the mind.. |
| bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. | | | | Martial arts has a deep meaning and philosophy. It's |
| Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my | | | | teachings will tell you that a true martial artist is the |
| friend." - Bruce Lee | | | | one who is strong enough to avoid fighting. |
| According to history, in A.D. 527, an emperor named | | | | Below is a list of some forms of martial arts: |
| Wu Di invited an Indian monk named Bodhidharma to | | | | · Karate (empty hand) |
| visit China and help monks improve their health and | | | | · Muay Thai (Thai boxing or kick-boxing) |
| physical skills. After journeying throughout China, he | | | | · Tae Kwon Do (foot hand way) |
| came upon a Buddhist temple in the province of | | | | · Wing Chun (forever spring |
| Henan where he found the monks too weak and | | | | · Silat (to fend off) |
| helpless against marauding bandits. After knowing | | | | · Aikido (the way of harmonious spirit) |
| learning the precarious situation of the monks, it was | | | | · Judo (gentle, soft way) |
| said that Bodhidharma meditated for nine years | | | | · Yaw-yan (dance of death) |
| about what to do to help his fellow Buddhist clerics. | | | | · Jeet Kune Do (way of the intercepting fist) |
| After meditating, Bodhidharma wrote two books: "Yi | | | | · Jiu-jitsu (the soft, pliable method) |
| Jin Jing" and "Xi Sui Jing". The former was about | | | | Martial arts training may include meditation at the |
| exercises for developing external strength while the | | | | start of the class. It is defined as the state of |
| latter was about meditation and breathing. After | | | | concentration on some object of thought or |
| finishing the two books, he wrote a third book | | | | awareness. This practice is not a religious routine but |
| entitled "Shi Bao Luo Han Shou" (The Eighteen Hands | | | | a way of clarifying the practitioner's mind and spirit. It |
| of Lohan), which was about his experiences as a | | | | includes breathing and relaxation drills which is the |
| member of the Kshatriya, an Indian caste of warriors | | | | mental preparation for the training. According to |
| and rulers. This book included synchronized defensive | | | | researchers, learning to breathe properly is the secret |
| routines that later evolved as the first manual on | | | | to any physical activity. It is said that it moves the |
| offensive and defensive combat movements. Hence, | | | | body's energy, therefore promoting a strengthened |
| martial arts was born. | | | | body, soul, and spirit. Meditation according to health |
| People often associate martial arts to combat and | | | | experts has many health benefits and is now being |
| self-defense...and violence and brutality. Though this | | | | promoted as a means to cure physical illness and |
| form of art was introduced for self-defense, this | | | | stress. Some benefits of practicing martial arts include |
| combative craft is not just about about flying kicks | | | | reduced emotional illness, better confidence, and an |
| and flashy punches. Martial arts is about developing | | | | enhanced immune system. |
| these skills to defend one's self and others. It is a | | | | Did you find this article informative? not just provides |
| philosophy that stresses that people should live in | | | | products but valuable information, which will be helpful |
| peace and harmony. The spiritual benefits of martial | | | | in your daily living. |
| arts are often overlooked because of the combative | | | | |