The arts of self defense are known for being a cultural entity which many have come to embrace into their lives, with just cause. As in these dangerous times one just can’t be careless with regards one’s safety, Martial Arts and self defense tactics pose to arm martial arts practitioners with the ultimate of self defense weaponry: Their own bodies, hands and feet.

Here are some of the different martial arts styles:

Aikido

Aikido would be one such martial art, which is rising in popularity as a self defense philosophy and practical activity. Aikido is basically a Japanese martial art in which a synthesis of philosophy, religious beliefs and martial studies are combined. It was developed by Morihei Ueshiba, and is translated as “the Way of Harmonious Spirit” or “the Way of Unifying (with) Life Energy”. Morihei Ueshiba’s goal in his formation of Aikido was to create an art in which practitioners are armed with the capacity to successfully defend themselves, without causing any permanent injury to their attackers.

As a form of self defense, Aikido is truly one martial art ideal for the task, as most of its forms, principles and teachings, as a martial art, is set on the defensive side of hand to hand combat. An emphasis on redirecting attacks to an Aikido practitioner’s advantage is the most defined highlight when talking about Aikido. Aikido, opposed to the concept of going against an offensive attack full front, rather redirects an attack, harnessing the energy spent on fueling it to an Aikido practitioner’s advantage.

As a martial art, Aikido makes use of bodily throws and joint-locking techniques, which are oftentimes simple, yet highly effective against would-be attackers. With Aikido, Aikido practitioners have no problems overwhelming attackers, even if they were larger in size. Aikido, as a martial art, doesn’t only benefit Aikido practitioners with self defense skills, as Aikido also gives emphasis on the value of physical fitness. Mental training is also one of the many disciplines involved in Aikido, as well as controlled relaxation and the enhancement and development of one’s “life energy” or “spirit” which is the Ki.

Ki, and the study of Ki is given emphasis in Aikido, as the study of Ki basically encompasses both mental and physical training. Bottom line, the Ki represents elements of balance, which Aikido practitioners take control of, in the course of their Aikido learning excursions and Aikido applications.

As a self defense form, Aikido is truly extreme, bearing the status of a defensive martial art, and not necessarily an offensive one.

Judo

Judo would be one of the most popular forms of Marital Arts, in which may see and the ideal form of self defense against evil elements of society, aimed to rob or injure, or even kill, others. In these dangerous times, learning how to defend oneself has become a necessity, and is something which Judo successfully “resolves” those with concerns regarding self defense matters. Do away with “desperate moves” like eye poking and hair-pulling, though these could actually be enough to overwhelm the most amateur of muggers. With Judo, one could easily throw assailants off their feet and thwart their evil intentions towards your person.

Hailing form the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan, Judo has been used for a long time now, and was often paired with Jujutsu, another popular martial art form in Japan. As a martial art form, Judo is most defined for the grappling and throwing techniques. Other techniques like blocking, parrying, pinning, smothering, locks, traps, elbow locks and even strangling techniques, are also included in the various styles of Judo.

The goal of Judo is to ultimately utilize an attacker’s energy into one’s advantage, taking advantage of the offensive energy, strengthening a solid defensive strategy, breaking an attacker’s balance off ground, thus successfully overwhelming them.

If you are on the lookout for “beefing up” your self defense skills, learning Judo would be one way to go.

Karate

As a form of self defense, Karate is quite popular, as it is quite effective against opponents, resolving situations fast, easy and simple. As a Martial Art form, it is the most popular hailing from the land of the Rising Sun, Japan. Popularized and noted in pop culture, as well as in history, Karate is basically a martial art from geared to from “fighting machines” out of Karate students. Its name translates to “empty hand” only emphasizing the unarmed nature of Karate, negating the need of using or having weapons in quelling a volatile scenario. Practitioners of Karate are referred to as Karateka.

In the 1980s a movie entitled “The Karate Kid” showed viewers the various regimen involved in Karate training. The movie somewhat stoked the fires of Karate’s popularity, making the Martial Art more popular than ever. Today, the views and opinions aimed towards Karate hasn’t changed much, as it is still seen as a form of self defense, one which is sure to deliver when needed to.

Kenpo

Kenpo, a form of Martial Arts, stands to be one of the most popular of self defense options which many have come to embrace. The term Kenpo literally means “fist principles”, standing testaments emphasizing the overall hand to hand combat value of the martial art form. It is also a term often used to connote martial arts in general, posing as a blanket term which many use. As a martial art, Kenpo has a number of varieties, including Okinawan Kenpo, Kenpo Karate, Parker’s American Kenpo, Chinese Kenpo, Shaolin Kenpo and Chuan Fa Kenpo.

All martial arts are basically systems of codified traditions and practices of training for combat, either armed or unarmed. Kenpo, being a form of martial arts, is no different, as it, along with Kenpo variations, has its own line of teachings, philosophies and views. The vast diversity of all Martial Arts may be overwhelming, but each one of them is unified with one common goal: to defend oneself from physical threat.

With Kenpo, practitioners are armed with valuable knowledge, as well as the required training in successfully applying the same knowledge, of self defense, giving them the safe avenue of going out of harm’s way. Like all martial arts, Kenpo requires a degree of dedication, determination and discipline from Kenpo students, as it is impossible for one to instantly become a Kenpo master overnight.

Bottom line, if you are entertaining the though of learning a martial art for its self defense value, Kenpo would be one such martial art which would suit well with what you are looking for.

Kung Fu

Kung Fu stands to be one of the most popular forms of self defense, which many have taken a liking to.

Kung Fu, along with Wushu, are two of the most popular forms of Chinese Martial arts, made famous though their involvement in many movies, books, and comic books which feature them. Basically, Kung Fu and Wushu are both Chinese Martial Arts, but are different from each other, in the sense that each has its own set of Martial Art principles, traditions and theories.

Chinese martial arts, which Kung Fu and Wushu are, originate from self defense needs, as well as military training and hunting activities. Hand to Hand combat and weapon mastery were two major values which the Chinese learned to embrace, eventually becoming an integral component in Chinese Culture.

During the rule of the Yellow Emperor, in 2698 B.C.E., the ancient forms of Martial Arts came to be in China. Described as a well known general before earning the title, the Yellow Emperor is known to have lengthily written about medicine, astrology and martial arts, thus his interest in hand to hand combat.

As a form of martial arts, Kung Fu boasts more than self defense values. Combat skills are greatly covered in Kung Fu training, but isn’t solely limited to it only. Overall healthy fitness is one positive factor which Kung Fu students and practitioners gain from their Kung Fu excursions. Self cultivation/meditation, a building up of self confidence, character development, and improved mental discipline are also among the “benefits” which Kung Fu is known to result to.

All in all Kung Fu is one form of self defense which is simply practical to learn, as it features other “enhancement” which Kung Fu practitioners would also benefit from. If you are on the lookout for learning a martial art for self defense purposes, Kung Fu should prove to be what you are looking for.

Tae Kwon Do

Arm yourself against these societal threats with Tae Kwon Do, a martial art form known to yield to truly effective results.

At its most basic, Tae Kwon Do is also commonly referred to as Taekwondo, or Taekwon-Do or Tae Kwon-Do, and stands to be the national sport of South Korea. It is basically a combat sport, treasured not only for its sport value, but for its self defense value as well. Its name is derived from a number of Korean words: Tae, which means to destroy with one’s feet, kwon, which means to smash with the hand, and do which means the way or path. Tae Kwon Do could be loosely translated as “the way of the feet and the fist”.

Aside from its sport and self defense value, Tae Kwon Do is also practiced for its exercise value, allowing for positive fitness, its entertainment value to those watching and participating in Tae Kwon Do events, and for its philosophy, which basically fuels a Tae Kwon Do practitioner’s mindset towards the elements which define the world.

There are many combat and self defense doctrines and teachings involved in Tae Kwon Do, but the most emphasized would be that of kicks, particularly kicks thrown form a mobile stance. In Tae Kwon Do, the use of one’s leg in self defense and combat is brought to greater power, enabling Tae Kwon Do practitioners to disable opponents from a distance. In Tae Kwon Do, reverse turning, side, turning, and front kicks are commonly used. More advanced kicks like jump kicks, spin kicks and jumping spin kicks are also known in the martial art form.

Also, Tae Kwon Do has a system of blocks, which come in handy when in combat. Tae Kwon Do also features other self defense and combat techniques like joint locks, throws, take-downs, open handed strikes, and punches, making it an overall comprehensive martial art, covering all the basics of an ideal martial art.

As a form of self defense, Tae Kwon Do is sure to kick away the various dangers which come to a Tae Kwon Do practitioner’s path.

Wing Chun

Wing Chun is a Chinese martial art form, stands to be one of the many martial arts which is fast being embraced by many as their means of self defense against the dangers of society. As a form of self defense, Wing Chun boasts to be an impressive form. Wing Chun, when Romanized is pronounced as Wing Tsun or Ving Tsun, literally means “spring chant”, and “forever spring” alternatively. Wing Chun is basically a Chinese martial art which is known to specialize in aggressive close-distance/range combat.

The origin of Wing Chun as a Martial Art is basically no different from all other forms of Chinese Martial arts. Historically, the lessons, practices and traditions of Wing Chun were passed from teacher to student, who in turn eventually becomes a teacher teaching his/her line of students, in an oral manner, making it difficult to exactly pinpoint or give a clear definition regarding Wing Chun’s foundation.

As an oral tradition, there are many accounts regarding Wing Chun’s founding as a martial art. One legend talks about a young woman, named Yim Wing Chun. Yim Wing Chun, whose name meant beautiful springtime, rebuffed a local warlord’s marriage proposal. The warlord, said he would agree to rescind his proposal, if Yim Wing Chun could defeat him in a fight. In an effort to prepare herself, Yim Wing Chun goes to Ng Mui, a local Buddhist, to teach her some boxing moves. Eventually, a fighting style is developed, enabling Yim Win Chung to defeat the proposing warlord. The warlord, impressed with the fighting technique, is taught the fighting style, and names it after Yim Wing Chung.

On a more historical note, Wing Chun appears to have started in records when third party documentation regarding the Martial Art started to appear during the era of Leung Jan, a Wing Chun master. These third party documentation stands as a much more verifiable documentation regarding the Martial Art.

If one is out entertaining the thought of learning a Martial Art, for its self defense value, Wing Chun would be one good martial art class worth taking lessons