Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
What is Martial Arts? What is it's purpose?
There are thousands of different forms descending from hundreds of acient forms. Many will argue that martial arts is nothing more than a form of fighting. Some will argue that it's a means to reach spiritual enlightenment.
Many individuals confuse martial arts with fighting. Martial arts can be used in fighting, but there is far more cultural history and depth to any martial arts styles. Modern day media has taken the "fighting" concepts of martial arts and has gloryfied it to the point where there are individuals who want to learn it merely as self defense.
I have personally used martial arts for both spiritual and sports purposes. I have trained with MMA fighters and been in a fair number of fights of my own. My 14 year experience with martial arts leads me to believe that it's true purpose can only be discovered in learning it as a way of life. One must follow a martial artists' lifestye to understand it's meaning.
I'm curious... What does everyone else think?
Upon doing some research, I've found that the phrase "martial arts" was actually nothing more than a rough western translation for words that cannot be litterally translated to the English language. I've found that the actually culmination of what we know as modern "martial arts" was descendant from a disciplined exercise developed by shaolin monks some time ago. Those arts began because monks had difficulty during long periods of meditation. The animal styles were developed by monks in a way to harness, in the human body, the power of animals, in nature. That is as far back as I can trace it.
10 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
it is what every culture makes of martial art, the term martial , mean's military.
simply put the use of fighting systems or art is combative.
fighting systems were taught in every culture throughout history but mainly as forms of combat.
i think that different cultures had different ideas of what it mean too be a warrior.
for many cultures, combat forms they taught were representations of the deities they worshiped.
so the idea that too truly master those forms of fighting they had too show a spiritual devotion to those deities.
some cultures required their warriors too take spiritual journeys before they could begin training in that cultures fighting forms.
while other cultures viewed fighting as a form of sport and training in hunting and survival skills.
i think ultimately, it depends on the individual now, what do you seek from your exploration in martial art.
once you have truly answered that question then i think your journey as a Martial arts master will find it fulfillment.
- KristinLv 45 years ago
I feel like he read bunch of aikido books and decided he knows enough to open a school. I think if he had even seen a single video or an actual person practicing Aikido he would know how off he is. Or maybe he really doesn’t care. Either way I think putting this kind of stuff out there is just financial decision and someone who really doesn’t have any care for the martial art they profess to teach.
- bunminjutsuLv 51 decade ago
The old masters neve ever used the term martial arts at any time and if you can get a dictionary published in the early 60s you wont find it there either in any context or form.
The term martial arts is a western invention by confusing bujutsu [war technique]bushido[warriors way]with bunmin jutsu[civilian self defense technique].
Weaponless technique was always the very last technique of choice for the warrior and almost never used they were mere add ons to the main military arts of sword/spear/archery or other weapons.
Weaponless arts were practiced by those denied weapons or the right to bear weapons because of social status.And any weapons they used were actually farm implements or tools of their trade or work.
I think the idea of the arts is "walk softly carry a big stick"OR you avoid violence from the strength of knowing you can handle it if neccesary.
- Ray HLv 71 decade ago
Originally martial arts were specifically designed for warfare, and combat. The term martial art means war art. In the past century or so, it has become more of a mix of psychology, religeon, and physical training known as self defense. In more recent years it has become sports oriented and many styles have changed even more from their original forms, to accommodate this new approach to the martial arts.
- How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
I think that you will find that most martial arts started as a form of spiritual discipline and a way to train the mind as well as the body. It is only in fairly recent times that it has been separated from its original religious contexts.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Martial means militaristic.It came from the name of the Roman GOD of War,Mars.Basically,a martial art is any system of combat including wrestling,boxing,Zipota(which is a Spanish martial art),Krav Maga(martial art used by the Israeli armies),Modern Army Combatives(martial art style the U.S. army teaches to special forces soldiers,and lastly and my personal favorite,Savate(Created from Street fighting on the streets of France;currently used by the French army for war and the French police force for street fights.)All ''Real'' martial arts have one thing in common:to be able to defend yourself against an attacker and to be able to attack someone.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
I agree with you, because the "right answer" is that depending on the color of the belt, the perception will be one or the other.
For white, yellow, orange belts, in general, martial arts imply self-defense, training, getting in shape, etc.
As you achieve higher belts, you realize that something is changing in your mind and you become more espiritual. But it is a lifetime lifestyle.
I love it. I practice Taekwondo 3 times a week.
neXo
- 1 decade ago
yea, you are right ...what martial arts do is just make yourself a perfect person knowing himself and knowing to control himself in all the situation he face in his life...
its how to represent oneself honeslty...
and about martial arts..its a form of fighting used by the warriors long time ago...
but this then changed it to something that has a lots to do with ones spitual life...strenght..
- Anonymous1 decade ago
These days its more of a art / self defense. Its true form is a way to kill. In the past it was either kill or be killed.
- 1 decade ago
I will tell you my son!!.....The purpose of all martial arts is!!!.....To Kick you in the NUTZ (Cartman) !!!.......Love Peace...Chicken Grease...Mac-1