Martial Arts is basically an art of self defending. People study martial arts for different reasons including fitness, self-cultivation (meditation), mental/character development, and self-defense.  Martial arts sometimes can also be defined as “fighting systems of codified practices or traditions of training for unarmed and armed combat, usually without the use of guns and other modern weapons.”

The history of Martial Arts can be traced from prehistoric to historic days, originating in different countries like China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, etc. These arts depict the traditions followed by the culture of each country in its varied forms. The different types of Martial Arts are:

Akido                                                                 
Boxing
Brazilian JiuJitsu
Capoeira
Choi Kwang-Do
Chung Moo Doe
Hapkido
Iaido
Japanese Sword Arts
Jeet Kune Do (JKD)
Jiu Jitsu
Judo
Karate
Kendo
Kenpo
Kickboxing
Krav Maga
Kuk Sool Won
Kung Fu
Muay Thai
Ninjutsu
Sambo
Savate
Shaolin Do
Shorinji Kempo
Silat
Sumo
Tae Kwon Do
Thai boxing

The history of each of the above art would state its evolution and the techniques involved in the fight. Earlier, Martial Arts were learnt, to fight on the battle field, or by villagers to protect the land and houses or by the upper class cream having money to spend on learning the techniques of a given art.

The cycle of time changed the way these martial arts are viewed. The introduction of Buddhist teachings were a milestone in bringing a revolutionary thought to these forms of art. The Buddhist monks used various exercises that help to maintain a balance between mind and body. They taught that wars were a result of anger, enmity and lack of confidence by the weaker from the stronger.

Today these arts are are learnt and thought by the cross section of society. The Buddhist teachings preached that one needs to have internal strength in the form of confidence, determination, self discipline and a mind that promotes peace and harmony among fellow being. However, the external strength is built through certain techniques or exercises taught in the above arts to protect oneself to speak against injustice or to use the moves only for self defense.

Nowadays, martial arts have gained world wide popularity and are now practiced and taught as a sport. Ranking systems are introduced in these arts through having various degrees of belts to show the progress of each practitioner.