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Aikido
Aikido was founded by Morihei Uyeshiba in 1942. Uyeshiba, also known as O­Sensei, was heavily influenced by the principles and techniques of daito ryu aikijujutsu and Kendo (Japanese swordsmanship). Along with incorporating parts of these older arts into his new art, he emphasized evasion, redirection of an opponent's attack and development of ki (internal energy). Aikido also grew to become a very philosophical martial art that is often connected with a Japanese religion called Omoto­kyo. In some variations of aikido, strikes are used to set up an opponent for a throw or joint lock In others, practice consists of strictly joint locks and throws. The art is popular in Japan because police frequently learn it so they can subdue suspects without injuring them. Aikido practitioners may also train with the staff, knife and wooden sword. Contrary to the way it is portrayed in the popular movies of film star Steven Seagal, aikido has a reputation as a "non­violent" martial art.

Bando
Bando is a martial art that comes from the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is also known as thaing and may contain a subset of weapons skills called banshei. Because of Myanmar's geographical proximity to Thailand, much of bando's empty­hand techniques resemble those of Muay Thai kickboxing. The art was also influenced by fighting arts imported from nearby China. Bando includes foot and hand strikes, throws and joint locks, along with numerous weapons techniques.

Boxing
Boxing is often called the Western martial art, but it is more accurately identified as a martial sport. It probably originated in ancient Greece or Rome, as there is evidence that the Greek pankratium (also spelled pankration) competitions included a boxing­like event. The pugilistic sport then spread to most every Western country, and in the early 20th century it became a popular spectator sport. Boxing techniques have played an important role in the development of modern kickboxing, since they are often judged as being more effective than the hand techniques of the Asian martial arts. The techniques are now being added to the curriculum at many schools that teach eclectic martial arts


Capoeira
Capoeira dates from the 1500s, when African slaves brought into Brazil began developing a system of unarmed self­defense out of necessity. To avoid punishment by their superiors, the slaves had to disguise their martial movements as a dance hence the art's rhythmical nature and musical accompaniment. It places a heavy emphasis on using mobility to evade attacks. Capoeira includes numerous acrobatic kicks, punches and flips. Some techniques, such as the cartwheel kick, were created because the slaves often had their wrists bound by chains to prevent escape. In the 18O0s, Brazilian authorities outlawed capoeira, but that law was eventually rescinded and the art continues to grow in popularity as Brazilian masters spread it around the world.

Hapkido
Hapkido is a Korean martial art whose name is written with the same three Chinese characters as aikido. The art's techniques, however, bear little resemblance to those of aikido. According to the most widely propagated history, hapkido was founded by Choi Yong­sul, a Korean who had been taken to Japan to work in the household of daito­ryu aikijutsu master Sogaku Takeda. (Takeda's descendants and followers deny that Choi ever studied with their master, however.) Choi claimed to have trained under Takeda from 1913 to 1943. Hapkido originally focused on pressure­point strikes, joint locks and throws, but now, thanks to the influence of hapkido master Ji Han-jae, it also includes highly refined kicks and hand strikes. Various weapons are taught, including the cane, staff and belt. Development of the practitioner's ki (internal energy) is also stressed. Hapkido is known more as a method of self­defense than an art for sporting competition.

Hsing-i Chuan
Hsing-i chuan (also spelled xingyiquan) is one of China's three internal martial arts. Heavily influenced by the teachings of Taoism, it is based on the five elements: wood, water, earth, metal and fire. Its forms are based on the movements of 12 animals, including the horse, monkey, tiger, bear, leopard, swallow, dragon, snake and hawk. Students are more concerned with discovering the meaning behind the animal movements than with imitating the movements themselves. Many experts believe the origins of hsing­i chuan date to the second century, when written descriptions of various animal movements were made in China. Many of those animals and their movements are still taught in fusing­i chuan classes.

Hwarang do
Hwarang do is claimed by its practitioners to be the direct descendant of the martial art practiced by Korea's sixth­century hwarang warriors. The hwarang were similar to Japan's samurai warriors, but the corps was composed of young boys who also studied fine arts such as calligraphy, music and poetry. Hwarang-do includes kicks, puncher, throws, joint locks, pressure­point strikes and internal­energy development Lee Joo­bang is the highest ranking hwarang­do expert in the world. He claims to be the 58th descendant in the art's lineage. The art's similarity to hapkido and kuk sool is often explained as having resulted from the fact that numerous martial arts experts-who would later become masters and found their own styles used to train together in Korea in the 1940s and 1950s.

Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is an eclectic martial art created and polished in the 1960s and early 1970s by Bruce Lee. Using a philosophy of "absorb what it useful," Lee borrowed the beet skills and techniques from a variety of arts, including wing chun kung fu, fencing, loosing and wrestling. Since Lee's death in 1973, the art has evolved into two variations: original jeet kune do, which is promoted as the art Lee practiced until his death; and jeet kune do concepts, which applies Lee's strategies and philosophies to martial arts techniques drawn from various Indonesian, Philippine and Thai styles. Jeet kune do is renowned for its street effectiveness. It is almost never used in competition. Classes include instruction in kicking, punching, trapping and grappling.

Judo
Judo was intended to be a martial sport derived from jujutsu. Created by Jigoro Kano in the 1880s, it enjoyed much popularity as its practitioners routinely defeated students of other martial arts. Kano created the Kodokan Judo Institute in 1882 as the governing body for the sport. Later, it was adopted into the curriculum of Japanese public schools. Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964, when the Games were held in Tokyo. Judo training emphasizes throwing an opponent to the ground by grasping his body or uniform. Once down, a variety of chokes and joint locks may be used to effect a submission. Two important parts of judo training- character development and morality-make judo a preferred martial art for children to practice.

Jujutsu
Jujutsu (also spelled jiu jitsu) is one of the martial art of Japan's samurai warriors. The foundings of its various schools (ryu in Japanese) date from the eighth century to the 16th century. Because the warriors donned armor before entering the battlefield, kicks and punches had little effect. Therefore, chokes and joint locks were the only techniques that could attack unprotected targets like the neck, wrists and ankles. Weapons were at one time stressed in jujutsu, but most modern training focuses on empty­hand combat. Since its creation, jujutsu has spawned a number of martial arts, including judo, aikido and possibly hapkido and kuk sool. It is categorized mostly as a system of self­defense, though competitions especially in Brazilian jujutsu - have recently become popular.

Kalaripayit
Kalaripayit is an ancient Indian martial art that uses pressure­point strikes, yoga stretching and venous strangely shaped weapons. Its name literally means "battlefield training." Many researchers theorize that it was the basis upon which the Chinese martial arts developed because they contend that Bodhidharma, the Chinese Buddhist monk who taught at Shaolin Temple, would have learned kalaripayit in India and transplanted it, along with his religion, to China. Few kalaripayit practitioners teach anywhere in the world­ even in India. Much of the art is said to have degenerated into a martial dance.

Karate
Karate originated in Okinawa in the 1600s It was developed from imported Chinese martial arts skills and refined as an advanced means of self­defense because weapons were outlawed on the island. It was originally called [e, meaning "hand." Later, masters adopted the name karate, meaning "empty hand" or "Chinese hand" (depending upon which characters are used to write the word). Toward the end of the 19th century, Gichin Funakoshi trained with various karate masters, then devised his own system, which he named shotokan. He then spread the style to the Japanese mainland and eventually to the West. It is perhaps the most widely taught style of karate. Other popular karate styles currently practiced around the world include kempo, goju­ryu kyokushin, isshin­ryu, shito­ryu, shorinji kernpo, shorin­ryu, uechi­ryu, wado­ryu and washin­ryu. All include hard­style kicks, punches and blocks. Some emphasize linear movements, while others teach circular movements. In virtually every style, kata (forms) practice and kumite (sparring) play an important role in training.

Kenpo
Kenpo is a form of karate that was popularized in Hawaii and later on the American mainland by Ed Parker. Although it is often categorized as an American martial art, the style's name is written with the same Chinese characters as chuan fa, a generic Chinese term for martial arts, And kenpo's techniques were influenced by those of various Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian martial arts. Kenpo training emphasizes a scientific approach to combat. Many kata are taught, and rapid­fire hand techniques and combinations are often used The art received a popularity boost after Jeff Speakman, a student of Parker's, showcased it in the movie, Perfect Weapon.

Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a modern martial sport that combines the hand techniques of Western boxing with the kicks of the Asian martial arts. Although it can be used for self­defense, it is primarily a ring sport. Legends of kickboxing, most of whom rose to star status in the 1970s and 1980s, include Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Kathy Long, Don "The Dragon. Wilson and Dennis Alexio.

Kuk Sool
Kuk sool is a Korean martial art founded in 1958 by Suh In­hyuk. Its controlling organization, Korean Kuk Sool Won, was formed by Suh in 1961. Suh claims to have traveled around Korea as a youth to learn traditional arts from various masters. Those styles included koong joong mu sool (royal palace martial arts) and sado mu sool (tribal martial arts). Suh then combined all the techniques into the art he named kuk sool, which means "national skills." Kuk sool is one of the most comprehensive systems in the world. It includes numerous kicks, punches, palm strikes, throws, joint locks, pressure­point strikes, breaking, ki (internal energy) development and breathing exercises. Instruction often focuses on weapons, including the long sword, short sword, staff, short stick, fan and rope.

Kung Fu
Kung fu (also spelled gung fu) is a catchall term for the Chinese martial arts It is often synonymous with the terms chuan fa and wushu. Many believe that all forms of kung fu descended from the exercise techniques taught by Bodhidharma, an Indian monk who traveled to Shaolin Temple in 526. However, ancient Chinese records show that various forms of kung fu existed long before this time. Specifically, there are historical records of studies of various animal movements that are still associated with the Chinese martial arts Some of the better­known styles of kung fu are Shaolin, hung gar, choy li fut, monkey, eagle claw, crane, drunken fist, long fist, south fist, five elders, lame, mantis, pa chi chuan and wing chun. With so many styles using the kung fu name, it is not surprising that a huge variety of techniques and principles taught is taught. Some styles, especially those that originated in Southern China, emphasize hand techniques, while others, particularly those from Northern China, stress foot techniques.

Muay Thai
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is a martial art from Thailand. It is renowned for its overall simplicity and practicality: powerful roundhouse kicks, elbow strikes, knee thrusts and basic boxing­style punches. Although Muay Thai is primarily practiced as a ring sport mostly by teenage boys in Thailand-it has numerous self­defense applications. The sport version has been popular in Thailand for decades, and it has recently spread to Japan, the United States and Europe. Some researchers claim Muay Thai is merely a subset of empty­hand skills that came from the comprehensive Thai art of krabi krabong. Both arts are claimed to be more than 1,000 years old. Historians say that ancient records tell how the skills were used in battles with the Burmese and Vietnamese.

Ninjutsu
Ninjutsu is the art of Japan's ninja warriors. The art grew during the nation's feudal period (13th century to 17th century), when missions of espionage and assassination were often carried out against warlords. In the 1970s and 1980s, ninjutsu was popularized in the West by Stephen K Hayes and Masaaki Hatsumi. Although ninjutsu does include linear and circular empty­hand techniques (often called taijutsu, which encompasses punching, kicking and grappling), much of the art's techniques involve weapons such as the sword, dagger, dart, weighted chain and throwing star. Historically, ninja were masters of camouflage, concealment, horsemanship, explosives and poisons, but such skills receive little, if any, emphasis in modern training.

Pa Kua Chang
Pa kua chang (also spelled baguazhang) ie one of China's three internal martial arts. It was created near the end of the 18th century and based on the eight trigrams of the 800­year­old classic text, I Ching (Book of Changes). In China, pa kua chang is often taught in conjunction with hsing­i chuan because it is believed the two arts complement each other. Pa kua chang movements focus on the circle and the opposites of yin and yang Many of the offensive technique i are subtle and indirect, but they are considered very effective for self­defense. Because the art is based on the Book of Changes, students learn to constantly adapt their responses in a self­defense situation.

Pentjak Silat
Pentjak silat (also called silat) is an Indonesian martial art whose original skills may date back to the sixth century. It was probably not refined as a true martial art, however, until the 14th century. It is closely related to bersilat, its Malaysian cousin, which dates from the 15th century. Silat emphasizes joint locks, sweeps, takedowns, and hand and foot strikes from unexpected angles and directions. These techniques are often aimed at the body's weakest points. Weapons play an important role in silat combat and training. Instruction often involves the performance of traditional Indonesian dances.

Sambo
Sambo (also spelled sombo) is a modern Russian combat art that emphasizes throws, takedowns and joint locks. Some claim it was heavily influenced by the Armenian art of khok; others say it is derived from indigenous folk wrestling and judo. Two variations of the art are currently taught sport sambo, which includes mostly grappling techniques (but not choking); and combat sambo, which encompasses grappling and striking. Practitioners wear a unique uniform (called a kurtka), which is frequently used for grabbing and throwing.

Savate
Savate (sometimes called boxe Francais) is a French art of foot and fist fighting that dates from the 19th century. It may have been influenced by venous Asian martial arts after French sailors returned from voyages to Asian ports. The art began spreading to other countries in the 1960s. Savate is renowned for its precision kicks to the body's vital points. Its hand techniques are very similar to those of Western boxing, and is kicks were designed to integrate smoothly with the punches. It is currently a popular full­contact ring sport in Europe.

Shootfighting
Shootfighting is a modern Japanese eclectic martial sport. Its techniques were greatly influenced by the submission grappling skills taught by the legendary American wrestler Karl Gotch when he visited Japan. Variations include shootwrestling, shootboxing and pancrase. All are taught primarily as ring sports, and their matches frequently draw large crowds in Japan. Rules permit kicks, hand strikes, takedowns, throws and ground grappling.

Shuai Chiao
Shuai chiao (also spelled shuai jiao) is known as China's wrestling and throwing art. If certain historical records are to be believed, it may be one of the oldest styles in existence, with its roots going back some 2,000 to 3,000 years. Shuai chive strategy encourages students to use hand and foot strikes to soften up an opponent, then move in for a bone­breaking throw. Unlike judo, where breakfalls can usually be done to lessen the impact of a throw, shuai chiao teaches students to lock the limbs before throwing, which intensifies the impact. Shuai chiao was popularized by Chang Dung­sheng, a Chinese master who fought many challenge matches in China before relocating to Taiwan to teach at the Central Police Academy. The art is currently practiced in Asia and the United States.

Sumo
Sumo is a Japanese combative sport that pits one huge, loin cloth­clad contestant against another in a sand­covered ring. The men push and shove each other while attempting to execute a trip or throw. The object of the match is to force the opponent to touch the ground with any part of his body other than his feet. Experts claim sumo is derived from a more martially oriented art, but in its current incarnation, it is purely a martial sport with little or no self defense utility. It remains, however, perhaps the most popular spectator sport in Japan.

Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a relatively modern Korean martial sport that is often claimed to be the most popular style in the world. Although some exponents say it dates back thousands of years, records indicate that it was created by Gen. Choi Hong­hi in the 1950s from a mix of Japanese karate hand techniques and tae kyon (an indigenous Korea kicking art) foot techniques. Soon to be an official Olympic sport, taekwondo places a heavy emphasis on throwing rapid kicks and body punches. In fact, it is reputed to have the most extensive kicking arsenals of any martial art. In classroom training, breaking, forms, one­step sparring and self­defense are also taught Taekwondo was spread to the West mainly by Jhoon Rhee. Numerous other masters were sent abroad by the Korean government to introduce foreigners to Korean culture.

Tai Chi Chuan
Tai chi chuan (also spelled taijiquan) is one of China's three internal arts. Frequently practiced in slow­motion, it dates from the 1700s when Chang San Feng began observing the movements of a crane and a snake. Tai chi chuan training emphasizes rooting, or connecting one's chi (internal energy) with the earth; sensitivity, or being able to detect an opponent's movements before they are completed; and relaxation.
Senior citizens are often drawn to tai chi chuan classes because of the myriad of health benefits the training offers. It is said to improve balance, coordination, concentration, breathing, circulation and overall health. Tai chi chuan currently exists around the world in many forms, including chen, old chen, wu, yang, chang and sun.

Tang Soo Do
Tang soo do is a traditional Korean martial art that focuses on discipline and the practice of hyung. (forms) and self defense sequences. Although founder Hwang Kee claims to have created the art from ancient textbooks on su bak do (an older Korean martial art) while living in Manchuria in the 1930s, the style may have been heavily influenced by Japanese karate. In many respects, tang soo do appears quite similar to karate and taekwondo, except for the fact that in tang soo do, very little emphasis ifi placed on sporting competition and flashy maneuvers.

Wing Chun
Wing chun (also spelled wing tsun) is a Chinese self­defense art founded more than 260 years ago by a Buddhist nun named Ng Mui. It is said to teach only the most effective techniques of various other styles of kung fu. Wing chun uses low­level kicks and numerous hand and finger strikes to defeat an attacker It teaches that force should not be met with force because that would mean a larger attacker could always defeat a smaller person. Redirection also plays an important role in the art's defensive moves, as does protecting the body's centerline.
Wing chun is one of the most popular styles of kung fu in the world. Much of its popularity stems from the fact that Bruce Lee trained extensively in the art under the late Hong Kong­based master Yip Man.

Wrestling
Wrestling is a combative sport that probably originated in ancient Greece and Rome. It is practiced in various forms in most cultures of the world (sumo in Japan, ssirum in Korea, khok in Armenia, Sambo in Russia, etc.). It formed the basis for the Japanese martial sport of shootfighting, and many of its techniques are similar to those of judo.

Wushu
Wushu is the term used in the West to identify the modern Chinese martial art that emphasizes flashy techniques and acrobatics. In China, however, it is the official term used to refer to what Westerners call kung fu or chuan fat. In fact, the term wushu translates as "martial skill " Training includes numerous empty­hand techniques and practically every imaginable weapon. The forms can be performed solo or with a partner.

Where are the German and Italian schools of swordsmanship or Kampfringen, Pankration, Khridoli, and Abrazare? :>

I studied the ancient Roman and Greek art of pankration. Although mainly I am a kung-fu stylist who studies Chinese martial arts, I did practice two early forms of modern pankration, or gladiator fighting. The first thing pankratiasts practice is Pug-Lak, or Greek kick-boxing while wearing gloves and head-gear. Pug-Lak to me is a form of sparring, very similar to the Chinese boxing style of San-Shou, which is another thing I've practiced. The other thing pankratiasts practice is Kato-Pale, or submission wrestling.

I know what Krav Maga is, but I'm not really familiar with it's teachings. I never studied Krav Maga, or practiced any of its techniques that I know of...

My main style is one that I myself have created, or founded, whatever. I call my own style Diu Sao Wing Chun Kune, or "Wing Chun Kung Fu's Intercepting Hands". I got this style from my training in traditional Yip Man Wing Chun and original Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, which are the main schools I belong to. I often jokingly tell fellow martial artists that Yip Man's Wing Chun was my mother, and Jun Fan's Jeet Kune Do was my father.

I also learned a style in jail called Folktown Stomp, but that's a lesser known style...

If you know of any Martial Art styles which are not on the 32-list, and you practice those styles in real-life, then please feel free to explain them for the rest of us here in the Roleplay Gateway community. I pretty much started this thread because I am a real-life martial artist, and I usually practice some form of martial arts when I am engaged in on-line fighting. It also gives others (particularly noobs) a better understanding of some of the martial arts styles which roleplayers use here at the Roleplay Gateway community in the Battle Arena.

WING CHUN KUNG FU
Wing Chun only has 3 forms; Siu Nim Tao, Tsum Kiu, and Biu Jee.
Now some people may be wondering, how come Wing Chun only has 3 forms, as opposed to the 10 or 20 forms practiced in most other martial art styles? The answer is all too easy to understand. Wing Chun has already been simplified to its most direct, economic and efficient means of fighting. Simplicity is the key to Wing Chun, we do not beat around the bush. Rather, we seek the longest weapon to the nearest target. It's not the 10,000 kicks you once practiced which makes you a good Wing Chun stylist. It's the one kick you practiced 10,000 times.

Siu Nim Tao can be divided into 3 different sections:

#01.) Gong Lik - Internal Training (Skill/Ability)
#02.) Fa Ging - Power Development (Correct Energy)
#03.) Basic Skill Training (Correct Techniques)

Yip Chun's Terminology:

#01.) Baat Jam Dao - Eight Cutting Knives (Butterfly Swords)
#02.) Biu Jee - Wing Chun's 3rd Hand Form (Thrusting Fingers) Snake Style
#03.) Bong Sau - Wing Arm Block/Parry (Crane's Wing) Crane Style
#04.) Chaan Sau - Shovel Hand Block/Parry
#05.) Chi Sau - Wing Chun's 2-Man Sensitivity Drill (Sticking Hands)
#06.) Chun Ging - One Inch Punch (Popularized by Bruce Lee)
#07.) Chung Kuen - Center Line Punch (Vertical Fist)
#08.) Dai Jeung - Lower Palm Strike (Stomach/Rib-Shot)
#09.) Fuk Sau - Resting Hand Position (Cup Holding Hand)
#10.) Heun Sau - Circling Hand Movement (Rotating Wrist)
#11.) Jaat Ma - Horse Stance (Basic Kung-Fu Stance)
#12.) Juen Ma - Wing Chun's Turning Stance
#13.) Jum Sau - Sinking Hand
#14.) Jut Sau - Jerking Hand Movement (Cocking Wrist)
#15.) Kwan Sau - Inside/Outside Hand (Sequence)
#16.) Lap Sau - Grabbing Hand (Seize-Wrist/Pulling Hand)
#17.) Luk Tim Boon Kwun - 6½ Pole Techniques
#18.) Muk Yan Jong - Wooden Dummy (Popularized by Yip Man)
#19.) Paak Sau - Slapping Hand Block/Parry (Stop/Push)
#20.) Pek Jeung - Chopping Palm Strike
#21.) Tan Sau - Palm Up Block/Parry (Spreading Hand)
#22.) Tsum Kiu - Wing Chun's 2nd Hand Form (Sinking Bridge Arm)
#23.) Wan Lan Sau - Bar Arm (Parallel Arms)
#24.) Wu Sau - Protecting Center Hand (Buddha Palm) Praying Hand
#25.) Yan Jeung - Palm Strike
#26.) Yee Chi Kim Yeung Ma - Wing Chun's Training Stance (Triangle Stance)

JUN FAN GUNG FU
Bruce Lee's real name was Lee Jun Fan, and when he opened his first school in Seattle, he called his style Jun Fan Gung Fu even though it was basically still Wing Chun methods. Most of Lee's students at the Jun Fan Gung Fu institute in Seattle recall him demonstrating Tai Chi, Praying Mantis, Hung Gar, Judo, Karate, and other styles of martial arts which he himself had learned back home. However, he used these styles only during demonstrations to show the difference between other martial arts, and what he was teaching. This is Bruce Lee's Wing Chun.

Bruce Lee's Terminology:

#01.) Sijo - Clan/Style/School's Founder (Ancestor) Bruce Lee
#02.) Sigung - Grand Master (Grandpa)
#03.) Sifu - Instructor/Teacher/Master (Father)
#04.) Sihing - Senior Student (Older Brother)
#05.) Sidai - Junior Student (Younger Brother)
#06.) Todai - Student (Child)
#07.) Gwoon - Hall/Gym/Institute (School)
#08.) Jee Yau Bok Gik - Freestyle Sparring
#09.) Fook Da - Arm resting on opponent's arm with hit
#10.) Go Da - High hit
#11.) Ha Da - Low hit
#12.) Jik Tek - Straight Kick (to stomach or lower)
#13.) Juk Tek - Side Kick (to stomach or lower)
#14.) O'ou Tek - Hook Kick (to ribcage or lower)
#15.) Biu Jee - Thrusting Fingers (to eyes or throat)
#16.) Jik Chung - Chainsaw Punching Sequence (Straight Blast)
#17.) Ch'ung Chuie - Vertical Fist (Kung-Fu Punch)
#18.) O'ou Chuie - Hook Punch
#19.) Ping Chuie - Horizontal Fist (Karate Punch)
#20.) Jung Seen Choy - Center Line Punch
#21.) Chop Choy - Half Knuckle Fist (Frog Punch) Panther Style
#22.) Gua Choy - Back Fist

Very good list you have there!

Ok basically i practice about 3 kinds of Martial Arts...I practice Kendo, KalariPayit (I love pressure points and can use them very well), and i might use Pa Kua Chang.... i tend to Use circles in swordfighting, arm Blocks, and The occasional SPIN which Is either Followed by a Strong Back Hand or a neck Choke (Usually the back hand)... Would you mind listing the pressure points? i don't completely know all of the them yet.....but i have several favorites that are excruciatingly painful that i use either when someone is touching me when i don't want touched, or when i spar with Friends

(Did you forget Northern Shoalin? if it is considered a "Style"

Hello Riikano-Alinaris, how are you? I love Kendo, and although I don't have any formal training, I do know some basic "non-violent" Kendo techniques for disarming an opponent using the unsharpened side of your sword blade, if you are using a live sword. What I know, I learned from respected roleplayers in Comicity, Metawerx, and other places outside of real-life. But, through martial discipline and my own personal experience, I was able to apply what I learned on-line by sparring in real-life with my backyard friends, using wooden practice swords. You'd be amazed what you can learn just through conversation, and personal experience.

I am familiar with Kalari-payat weapons, though I've never learned the actual fighting forms. Uh, my knowledge of Kalari-payat stems from my interest in Vajramushti, and the ancient Indian warrior caste known as Kshatriya... Vajramushti was supposedly founded by the Hindu lightning god, Indra, thus translating in English to "diamond fist" or "lightning fist". Vajramushti is a forgotten style, but the remnants of it I am told can be found in many existing martial arts, especially Kalari-payat... I feel another martial art which deserves mention here is a Phillipino knife, sword, and stick fighting style called Escrima or Kali, named after the Hindu goddess of death. I have some actual formal training experience in Sayoc Kali, if you've ever watched the movie 'The Hunted' with Tommy Lee Jones... The movie 'The Hunted' was coreographed by the Sayoc Kali tribe, and if you watch it you can learn some of the basic movements and knife fighting target areas, such as major arteries. Sayoc Kali is sometimes compared to Japanese Ninjutsu because of its knife and sword fighting tactics, which are usually prescribed for the quickest and most deadly one-hit-kills in blade fighting. A lot of my Fantasy RPG Ninjutsu style is actually not Ninjutsu at all, but Sayoc Kali... I've never told anyone that until now. :p

As far as pressure points, I'm not the best one to consult on that subject. I don't really use many pressure points in my own personal way of fighting, but I do respect the concept of it. It's just that, pressure points are something more, eh, sort of based on more gentle styles of self-defense where the object is to disarm the opponent and lead them into submission, like Judo or some of the other known styles... What I practice is not meant for self-defense, really, but more for, eh... I guess you could say, a last resort to fighting? The styles I am familiar with, like Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do and Kali... are not really meant for practicing, like some of the other styles mentioned earlier. We train them, but we never really are supposed to use them unless we absolutely have to, because they are meant for ending a fight quickly without mercy or pitty. I mean, yes, there are some people who would argue that, especially in the case of Wing Chun, that such styles can in fact be watered down and used more gently so as not to seriously injure or kill the opponent... But... That's just not my style. Personally, I'm a "Git R Dun" person who really, really doesn't like to fight. So if I have to, meaning someone forces me to, I'm not going to go easy on them. It's just not in my nature, it's not the way I was trained. Again, personally, that's just me. Everyone has their own style, and I respect that.

What I can do, is maybe give you some ideas on where you might learn more about pressure point techniques. One very good style which I am particularly fond of is Aikido and Aikijutsu, along with Judo and Jujutsu, and a rare Chinese martial art called Dim Mak... Other than sharing this information, I can't help you. Maybe someone else here can, though. Ask Ramaeus, he is a fellow "mixed martial artist", meaning that he has a broad knowledge of several styles like myself. But he might be more familiar with some of the styles which I don't know, so try asking him first. ^_^

As far as Northern Shaolin, when I "spar" in textual combat, I usually practice Northern Shaolin styles... particularly the Praying Mantis, Scorpion, and Dragon styles... Those styles I use the most, when sparring... I don't really use them that much when fighting, so when I "fight" in textual combat, which is different from sparring, I usually use a less fancy style. And, I don't want people to think this is only some routine I use when RPG fighting, because the truth is, I wouldn't use most Northern Shaolin styles in a real-life fight either. I like Northern Shaolin styles because they are graceful, beautiful, fancy, flashy, and deceiving to the opponent. But normally, in actual combat I would not use them. Again, that's just me personally, not everyone is like that. Um... Pa Kua, Tai Chi, and Hsing-i are all considered Northern Shaolin styles, but I personally don't include them in that list. These are obviously the 3 internal styles of Kung Fu, and to me, they deserve their own unique category in Shaolin martial arts, that is outside of the Northern and Southern stereotype. I don't practice any of these 3 internal styles, though I probably will at least examine Tai Chi as I get older. The only one I can really relate to at this time is Hsing-i, which from what I've personally seen, bares a remarkable resemblence to my style of Wing Chun Kung Fu... I never even looked too far into Pa Kua, but I've heard that some of the internal strength training exercises that I practice do somewhat resemble Pa Kua's training. In fact, the very name for "internal strength training" in Wing Chun is called Pa Kua.

When it comes to the subject of martial arts, I think people in both the East and West need to understand something about Chinese culture. There seems to be a misconception that Kung Fu is a style. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, if anything, Kung Fu was one of the very first "mixed martial arts" known in the eastern world... For every Kung Fu practitioner, there is a unique style. So if you have over 3,000 people learning Kung Fu, that means that there are over 3,000 styles of Kung Fu in practice. I do not usually use the terms "Northern Shaolin" and "Southern Shaolin" that often... Kung Fu, to me, is Kung Fu... I've never really heard of many Shaolin masters who practiced only "one" style in the past. In fact, the term "Shaolin Kung Fu" incorporates almost every single Kung Fu style that was ever learned at any of the 5 traditional Shaolin temples, both in Northern China and Southern China, and even in parts of Tibet... so... Oh, and also, Kung Fu does not necessarily mean some type of martial arts. Kung Fu basically means "any skill attained through time and effort". Thus, even a person who has mastered the art of cooking in the kitchen, can be said to have a good sense of Kung Fu, in their own way... And many people get confused, or even angry, when they ask me what style I practice, and I tell them simply "Kung Fu"... That's just my personal viewpoint, any way. "Shaolin" is the keyword, I think, which needs to be focussed on, and what it means today to be a Shaolin disciple.

When most people hear the word "Shaolin", they think of the bald-headed Chinese Buddhist monks in orange cassocks or robes who train at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, which is in Northern China... and although these are your typical Shaolin disciples, I think some people didn't know there is more than "one" Shaolin temple... For instance, the temple in Wu Dan trained primarily long-haired Taoist priests who were very different from their Henan counterpart. Wing Chun Kung Fu, the style that I adept in, looks very different in Szechuan province at the White Crane Shaolin Temple in Northern China, and resembles nothing at all like the Wing Chun style that I know. I practice traditional Yip Man style Wing Chun Kung Fu, which although came from the north originally, was brought down to the Southern Shaolin Temples where it was modified greatly to become a totally different martial art, which looks nothing at all like Northern Wing Chun... therefore we call it Hong Kong style Wing Chun, to distinguish it from the others... also, I am a Shaolin disciple, but I am not Chinese... I did train at the Shaolin temple in Foshan for a little while, before coming back to America... Foshan literally means "Buddha Mountain", but I am not a Buddhist, nor do I keep my head shaved and live a monastic lifestyle... Shaolin is more than just the typical stereotype that most people give to it these days. Shaolin is a discipline, a history, and a brotherhood. Anyone who is a Shaolin disciple, whether he or she trained at Wu Dan, or Henan, or Szechuan, or Guangdong, or anywhere else in China... that person is my brother, and my sister, because somewhere down the line, if you re-trace history, we all have the same lineage. We all came from the same tree, we just went our own way and developed our own branches and leaves... Anyways, that's just my way of looking at it.

Ok when it comes to Kendo, I use Mainly the Sharp end of a blade/Stick, whatever....I'm able to swing fast hard and most importantly unpredictable...The main pressure points i Use, (Write these Down) are, The side of the knees, The neck joint, the borttom of your wrist, any possible finger joint or Knuckle, The side of a torso under the ribs, the Front of the neck, The Top of Spine in between the Two shoulders (Personal Favorite), The spot behind the Ear, the stomache, the chest, the temple, the ankle,The certain spot on any Male ^^, the armpit, and the nose are all the ones that I know of......i don't know how to use northern Shoalin style but i realized that you missed it..... Now back to Kendo.....I haven't actually Taken lessons but I'm self trained....(Wikipedia helps.....)

Cool some other Kendo players, practice was tonite but I had homework. T.T I would advise against using a live blade for beginners and even advanced students, because there's always the chance of hurting yourself and others if you don't know or do the technique right. Get an iaito with a dull blade instead. Any of you train in iai-do?

At least this use is actually correct. Most of these are legitimate self-defense courses.

I'll get the pants flamed off me for this (by some people), but it's true: Any type of course that teaches a set reaction for a set action is folly. Ever notive in judo how you use this Judo move to counter this other Judo move, rather than if your enemy does a right hook you should exploit his week left side and avoid the right, or possibly get in close to negate the punch. Not to this set move becasue everybody alwas throws the left hook in the exact same way without any deviations, let alone the competiotion-sport-style mentalitly of many "Westernized" martial arts.

Not to offend, but the tl;dr version of the adove is that any martial art that teaches you to react one very, very sepcifc way to one very, very general situation, if it even does that. Many just teach you to defend yourself against other moves in that style. Don't flame me, please.

I dig what you mean man. My friend studied Taekwan do, got into a real fight one time and it did nothing for him because not only did the person he was countering not follow up how he expected him too, but the guy who was with him
got up behind my friend and tripped him so they could beat the tar out of him.

Brad wrote:At least this use is actually correct. Most of these are legitimate self-defense courses.

I'll get the pants flamed off me for this (by some people), but it's true: Any type of course that teaches a set reaction for a set action is folly. Ever notive in judo how you use this Judo move to counter this other Judo move, rather than if your enemy does a right hook you should exploit his week left side and avoid the right, or possibly get in close to negate the punch. Not to this set move becasue everybody alwas throws the left hook in the exact same way without any deviations, let alone the competiotion-sport-style mentalitly of many "Westernized" martial arts.

Not to offend, but the tl;dr version of the adove is that any martial art that teaches you to react one very, very sepcifc way to one very, very general situation, if it even does that. Many just teach you to defend yourself against other moves in that style. Don't flame me, please.

I love it when someone thinks their bias opinion counts. We were just talking about training in kendo and such. It had nothing to do with with actual fighting, not every martial artist is about medals/winning, rank, and fighting.

It is true, though, what Brad and Wakboth said... I'm not sure how that applies to anything previous to our conversation, but in a sense, those are not just opinions but well-known Truths, at least what is taught globally, and which most martial artists understand. There is a difference, however, between slow forms and predicted scenerios. Some martial art forms, if performed slowly and correctly (not to mention, constantly) can be very beneficial to one's training. Slow forms are what distinguishes style from style, but even then, there are certain laws which all martial art forms must appeal to, regardless of style. Some of these laws are physics, anatomy, structure, nucleus, distance, balance and leverage. A good martial artist has to master all of these laws, and slow forms are still considered the best way to do that.

On the other hand, predicted motion or scenerio exercizes can also help you get a good concept of something which might happen, but they should not be practiced too often to where it becomes the style itself, or routine... The best way I have found to becoming a better martial artist is to hop in the fast lane. I know you've heard people say, "Faster is not always better", and it's not. But sometimes faster "is" better, and there's no faster way to learn martial arts than to spar with a partner... To get the feel of martial arts that practice self-defense during real-life threatening situations, and I mean, to truly get the feel for it, I think the fastest and best way is to have a sense of humility. That means putting on the boxing gloves, or fingerless gloves or whatever, putting a mouth peice on, and actually going at it with the knowledge that you will most likely get hit, and it will hurt. Conquer that fearing ego, let go of the idea of pain, and develop a feeling for it.

Also, try to remember that your sparring partner is your brother, not your opponent. You are both students, trying to attain that natural reaction which can only be experienced first-hand. These natural reactions cannot be instructed, or taught using text-book methods. It is something every martial artist has to learn for themselves. But just remember, sparring is not a real-life combat situation, so don't try to turn it into one.

Brad wrote:At least this use is actually correct. Most of these are legitimate self-defense courses.

I'll get the pants flamed off me for this (by some people), but it's true: Any type of course that teaches a set reaction for a set action is folly. Ever notive in judo how you use this Judo move to counter this other Judo move, rather than if your enemy does a right hook you should exploit his week left side and avoid the right, or possibly get in close to negate the punch. Not to this set move becasue everybody alwas throws the left hook in the exact same way without any deviations, let alone the competiotion-sport-style mentalitly of many "Westernized" martial arts.

Not to offend, but the tl;dr version of the adove is that any martial art that teaches you to react one very, very sepcifc way to one very, very general situation, if it even does that. Many just teach you to defend yourself against other moves in that style. Don't flame me, please.

First of all, Judo isn't primarily about striking, but about throwing and grappling; if your competitor throws a right hook, they're going to get kicked out. :p But Judo really isn't about traditional forms and linear techniques like other martial arts; a lot of it is spontaneous.

If I understand your point, than it is in some ways correct. Can't really add onto the great answer above, except that sometimes using the same technique for multiple attacks is a good way to defend oneself quickly.

Remæus wrote:You also forgot another very important modern style, Krav Maga.

Quoted for massive amounts of truth. One of the most adaptive and effective fighting systems ever created.

Wow look at all the violently educated peoples.... O_o