The concept of martial arts and martial arts training is not at all new to any one of us. Through movies, magazines, and TV shows, we all have been in touch with martial arts. We have seen Bruce lee's movies in jam packed theaters and even bought DVD's of those movies home and watched them unlimited number of times. We all love martial arts; we admire the various forms of this magnificent art and respect those who have been trained in martial arts. Many people developed interest in this art form and decided to get martial arts training. Today, in every country and city, to locate a martial arts club or school is one of the easiest task. Institutes and schools for professional martial arts training are available almost every where.

Mixed martial arts, Muay Thai Kick boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling, Judo, Karate and Silat are some of the famous forms of this art of self defense. Martial art is a very broad and extensive term used to summarize various practices, forms and styles used in a combat. In martial arts training Weapon training, Grappling and Strikes are three specific areas of focus and interest. These are further divided into sub-forms and styles of martial arts training.

Striking has three major styles which summarize almost every martial art form which includes various types of strikes.

• Kicking: Taekwondo, Savate and Capoeira

• Punches: Wing Chun and western boxing

• Other types of strikes: Karate and Muay Thai

Weaponry Training is sub divided broadly into two divisions- Traditional and modern weaponry. Jukendo, style of martial arts is included in modern weaponry, while Fencing, Eskrima, Kyudo, and Gatka are traditional forms of weaponry training.

Grappling involves pinning techniques (Judo and wrestling), Joint lock (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido and Hapkido) and throwing techniques (Sambo, Glima and Jujutsu).

Importance of martial arts training lies in its ability to infuse in us the proficiency to safe guard ourselves under difficult circumstances.

Those who wish to learn multiple styles of martial arts can go for Silat, which has quite similar moves and techniques to Judo and Muay Thai kick boxing.