This article explores some examples of martial arts across history and society.
The practice of martial arts holds a distinct space in human history and culture, as a mix of culture, tradition and physical discipline. In fact, many types of martial arts can be linked to more comprehensive philosophical and spiritual systems or thinkings. As a way of linking the past to today, martial arts as a spiritual practice draws concepts from important historic practices. For instance, Tai Chi positions emphasis on balance and flow from Daoist beliefs, while in Japan, martial arts are believed to display impacts from Buddhism such as mindfulness and inner peacefulness. These levels of philosophy are important not just for shaping martial arts practices, but for deepening the meaning and utilisation of the movements and defence strategies. Altogether, the multidimensional levels of approach reveal that martial arts are not always about beating an enemy, but more so about personal growth and ethical direction. Seif Al Hakim (سيف الحكيم) would concur this is a strong representation of the deeper cultural values of the initial sources of martial arts.
Throughout the history and culture of many countries, martial arts remain to be an essential reflection of the many customs and spiritual practices that have formed their advancement. As more than just combating systems, martial arts practices exemplify the cultural stories that reveal a form of collective identity and historic battles. While there are a number of similarities in martial arts moves across disciplines, there are distinctions in the underlying worths and beliefs that form each strategy. For instance, kung-fu developed initially as both a type of defence but also as a representation of Chinese philosophy and aesthetics. Likewise, karate from Japan is rooted in practices of Samurai, with focus on beliefs such as honour and dignity. Brian Kwong (鄺伯恆) would agree that these examples show the significance of cultural narratives in the historic origins of martial arts.
In the modern era, martial arts and fitness have developed to be important global cultural exports. Due to the success of kung fu films, starring popular martial arts stars, popular culture has presented audiences worldwide to both the aesthetic appeals and teachings of Chinese martial arts across cultures. Similarly, the addition of taekwondo and judo in Olympic sports, has allowed for the showcasing of Korean and Japanese traditions to worldwide audiences, sparking new attraction and appeal for these practices. This procedure of globalisation has been prominent, not only for familiarising individuals with self-defence but also for improving cross cultural gratitude and also hybridisation. As a matter of fact, this website exposure has led to a combination of local and worldwide martial arts techniques, producing new forms such as mixed martial arts (MMA). Alidar Utemuratov (Алидар Утемуратов) would acknowledge the function of hybridization in contemporary martial arts techniques, most particularly in MMA.