Fundamentals Of Kendo - By: Justin Davis

Kendo is a martial art that entails various actions. Technically, the basics are really emphasized. The movements look really simple to the eye. You learn the right footwork, the proper posture, how to swing - these are basically the things that you need to know. But then you have to practice performing these actions a hundred times over or more. The reason for this is because these actions need to come out by reflex. This concept is what is behind any other type of martial art. The only difference with kendo is that a weapon is being used which is the shinai. The practitioner has to become so familiar with this weapon that it would become an extension of his own body. This mastery is where difficulty comes in.

Kendo originated in Japan and it always has been identified with that culture. But nowadays, there are Kendo dojos or schools all over the world. You would think that with this set-up, this martial art would become Westernized or tainted with impurities. That is not the case, however. The technical level of the martial art has remained excellent regardless of where a dojo is located. There is a worldwide uniformity of the basics of the art. Whether it's in America or whether it's in Europe, the fundamentals being taught are the same. It is only in the advanced training wherein the differences in certain schools become evident. But such disparity is not vital to the elements of the martial art. The 1970s paved the way for international competitions to become more available to Kendo followers. Nowadays, there are more than fifty countries in the international competition circuit.

The practitioners of Kendo use different body protectors - the kote for the hand, the man for the head, the do for the chest and the hakayama. These protective gears make Kendo different from other martial arts. Their uniform is the embodiment of the Samurai spirit and can be paralleled with the European knights who wear metal armors.

We can apply the principles of Kendo in our life through etiquette, manners, patience, and discipline. Of course, this is pretty much like any other martial art. But there is one principle that is only taught in Kendo, and that is, once you attack, you keep constant pressure by striking consistently. In real life, if you focus on your target, nothing can stop you.

The world of martial arts is vast and plentiful to say the very least. Countless individuals from around the globe decide at some point or another to begin studying an art. Maybe it's a Korean style like tae kwon do, maybe it's a Brazilian art such as Gracie Ju Jit Su or maybe it's simply traditional Japanese GoJu Ryu Karate. Regardless of what style you have in mind, there are wonderful instructors out there to teach you well. Naturally the key is finding the best teachers for the types of martial arts you're considering.
What are you looking to attain from it? Are you seeking styles that focus on health and getting into better physical condition, or are you searching high and low for effective types of martial arts that teach great self defense. Believe it or not, but there are differences amongst the styles. Not all forms are created equally. Each art of self defense tends to have strong suits and weak aspects.
Let's say you're considering traditional Tae Kwon Do. This is considered a hard style and it focuses greatly on high kicking techniques. A hard style is essentially one that places more focus on brute strength over technique. An example of a soft martial arts style would be tai chi chuan. This ancient art places more focus on relaxation, adapting to your opponent and using less effort to exert more force. As you can see, different types of martial arts offer different attributes.
A great place to begin your search is in cyberspace. This not only allows you to learn ample information about various types of martial arts, but it additionally grants you access to what's available near you. Sadly not all styles will be accessible. So much depends on where you live. However, if you reside in a large urban area such as Los Angeles or New York City, you'll probably have your pick of countless styles. Just remember, if the teacher is not good, the art won't be either. Who's teaching you is always crucial!

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