A Guide to Different Martial Arts Styles and Incorporating Them in Your School
Dhwani Shah
July 19, 2024
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5 min read
My first real introduction to martial arts came from the movie The Karate Kid (2010). A particular scene immediately comes to mind - a woman standing on the narrow ledge of a temple, overlooking a deep valley, making a cobra reflect her movements. I was absolutely fascinated by the visual (and I continue to remain after all these years) and I remember thinking to myself, “The discipline, the focus, the courage, how does one achieve that?”
From The Karate Kid to Kung Fu Panda, and Shang Chi to Shaolin Soccer, the world of martial arts has enraptured us all for years, across borders and generations. The world of martial arts is vast, encompassing a wide array of styles and techniques, each with its own special characteristics. However, at their core, they all impart essential lessons, from mastering discipline to strengthening your mind and spirit, from honoring your opponent to accepting defeat with grace.
With a variety of martial arts styles to choose from, each offering unique benefits, it's essential to understand the advantages each offers. Here is a list of martial arts disciplines and their distinctive features and why you, as a martial arts school or martial arts instructor, should consider including them in your curriculum:
"Karate is not for the faint-hearted. It's about pushing yourself to the limit and beyond."
The word karate is derived from the Chinese characters for the words ‘empty hand’, signifying a fight without weapons. Karate is a traditional Japanese martial art mainly focusing on self-defense, that employs various striking techniques using different body parts like the knees, elbows and fists.
Karate training generally involves three components:
The colored belt system of ranking tracks students' progress and motivates them to develop the skills and abilities to receive a black belt, the highest on the ranking hierarchy. This martial art also focuses on constant self-improvement and building inner strength while developing posture, speed, coordination, balance and mental focus.
Karate's structured approach to training and emphasis on personal growth make it ideal for students of all ages. It teaches valuable life skills such as perseverance and respect, while also providing a comprehensive physical workout. Karate is practiced in a disciplined and respectful learning environment, subconsciously imbibing these qualities in the karatekas, which positively translates to all other spheres of life. Offering karate classes can attract a wider demographic, increasing enrollment and revenue for your martial arts school.
Known as the ‘gentle art’, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a ground-based martial art that involves utilizing leverage, grip and positioning upon your opponent in ways that force him to submit and render him harmless. It is predominantly a method of fighting on your back, a position the weaker person in a fight will generally find themselves in, and allows the weaker person to successfully defend themselves against the stronger attacker using takedowns, chokeholds or joint locks.
BJJ enhances problem-solving skills, builds physical endurance, and promotes mental resilience. It is widely popular for its prominence in mixed martial arts.
BJJ's focus on technique and strategy can appeal to students interested in a cerebral approach to martial arts. Its effective self-defense applications (regardless of size and strength) and emphasis on live sparring can help students develop confidence and real-world skills. Including BJJ can diversify your martial arts offerings and attract a dedicated student base.
Taekwondo is an ancient martial arts style that hails from Korea but has gained international recognition, and is currently an Olympic discipline. Also the national sport of South Korea, it is a fast-paced martial art focusing on self-defense techniques, sparring and board-breaking.
The word Taekwondo is composed of three parts -
Thus, Taekwondo means the way of using hands and feet or the art of kicking and punching.
This combat sport involves choreographed forms and patterns of swift punches, blocks, and kicks, while training both mind and body. Taekwondo practitioners benefit from improved agility and reflexes, strength, stamina, flexibility and balance along with boosted self-esteem and confidence.
Adding taekwondo to your curriculum can attract students interested in mastering powerful kicking techniques and achieving high levels of physical fitness. Its competitive aspect, with opportunities for tournaments and belt advancements, can keep students motivated and engaged.
The national sport of Thailand, Muay Thai, also referred to as Thai boxing, is a martial arts style and full-contact combat sport. It is known as “The Art of 8 Limbs” because it makes use of 8 points of contact namely, punches, elbows, knees and kicks.
With origins in Siamese warfare, it has developed into a popular spectator sport involving two competitors in a ring using powerful fist, elbow, knee and shin strikes to attack the opponent while defending oneself from physical blows.
Muay Thai training includes shadow boxing, pad work, heavy bag training, sparring, and conditioning drills, aimed at developing strength, speed, agility, and mental fortitude. This sport is also a great calorie burner, blood pressure reducer and mood booster.
Muay Thai's emphasis on full-body conditioning and self-defense strategies makes it a valuable addition to any martial arts program. Its rigorous training regimen can attract students looking for a challenging and effective workout. Additionally, Muay Thai's rich cultural history can provide an educational aspect to your classes.
From the legendary Muhammad Ali to the iconic Floyd Mayweather Jr., boxing has produced superstars that have been revered by fans worldwide.
Boxing is a martial art that involves two people fighting in a boxing ring. Contenders throw punches at each other wearing padded gloves for a fixed period of time to secure a win by asserting dominance and weakening their opponent.
The combat sport, which is also an Olympic discipline, is a great workout and a popular choice among people looking to lose weight or get in better shape. It builds cardiovascular and muscle strength, boosts endurance, improves balance and coordination and also fosters discipline and a strong work ethic. Additionally, it’s a great way to release stress, anger and other negative emotions in a safe environment. I mean, try punching something as hard as you can for a couple of minutes and you’ll see how cathartic it can be!
Including boxing in your classes can attract students looking for an intense, high-energy workout. It promotes willpower, resilience, and confidence. Boxing's focus on agility and quick reflexes can also complement other martial arts training, offering a well-rounded fitness program.
Kickboxing is a hybrid martial art combining the styles of boxing and karate. This full-contact discipline, which involves both punching and kicking, as well as elbow and knee strikes, has gained recognition as a combat sport around the world. It is a stand-up fighting sport, which means that there is no ground fighting involved. There are different styles of kickboxing, Muay Thai being one of them.
Kickboxing focuses on learning self-defense techniques, developing striking skills, and improving physical fitness. It is also a great weight loss and stress relief activity.
Kickboxing's high-intensity workouts and practical self-defense applications can attract a diverse range of students. Its blend of striking techniques and aerobic exercise makes it suitable for those seeking both fitness and self-defense training. Including kickboxing can help create a well-rounded martial arts program.
When I think of Tai Chi, my mind takes me back to the scene from the movie, The Intern, where Robert de Niro and Anne Hathway practice Tai Chi in a park in Brooklyn. The serenity and mindfulness from that scene radiate right through the screen.
Often referred to as ‘meditation in motion’, Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that has evolved into one of the most effective exercises for physical and mental well-being. It involves slow, gentle movements (known as sequences) and controlled breathing, aimed at harmonizing the mind, body and spirit.
Tai chi offers more benefits than can be counted on your fingers! Not only does the regular practice of Tai Chi cultivate mindfulness, inner peace, power and mental focus, but also improves strength, flexibility and balance. Moreover, Tai Chi has been proven to improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure and even ease the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
Tai Chi's gentle, low-impact exercises make it accessible to students of all ages and fitness levels. Including Tai Chi can attract individuals looking for a holistic approach to health and wellness. In today’s fast-paced and hectic world, where everyone is looking for some respite among the chaos, its focus on mindfulness and stress reduction can complement more intense martial arts training.
Incorporating different martial arts into your school’s curriculum can provide a comprehensive training experience that caters to different interests and fitness levels. Each martial art offers unique benefits that can enhance physical fitness, mental well-being, and personal development. By offering a diverse range of classes, you can attract a wider audience and create a dynamic, inclusive environment that supports the growth and success of all your students.
As a martial arts school or instructor, you play a crucial role in guiding students on their journey to mastery and personal growth. To enhance your teaching experience and streamline your operations, consider using Classcard. Our intuitive and practical martial arts school management software allows you to easily schedule classes, manage bookings, track attendance and payments, and much more. This way, you can focus on what you do best—training and inspiring your students to be strong, independent individuals.
So let’s teach our learners to hi-yaaa their way through adversities 🦵🏻 and emerge as champions wherever life takes them. 🏆