Goju Kai & Goju Ryu

"Goju Kai Karate is very similar in techniques and Katas to Goju Ryu. Goju Kai tends to place more emphasis on the sport side of training rather than the body conditioning and supplementary exercises of Goju Ryu. The founder of Goju Kai, Yamaguchi Gogen, is credited for introducing free sparring to Karate. Previously, Okinawan Karate styles only used Katas and pre-defined attack/defense techniques in their training.

Many Goju Kai schools exist today all over the world, and the characteristic clenched fist logo of Gojo Kai can easily be recognized. The insignia was designed by the late Gogen Yamaguchi in 1932, founder of Goju-Kai Karate-Do. In fact, the clenched fist insignia is vigorously protected by U.S. and international trademark and patent laws by those that currently hold the rights for it.

Origin of Goju Kai: Japan, 1950

Founder of Goju Kai: Yamaguchi Gogen (The Cat) 1909-1989. His sons Gosei and Gosen brought Goju Kai to California, United States in the sixties. -"Martial Arts Info - Goju Kai." Martial Arts Information - Martial-Arts-Info.com. Martial Arts Info. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. .

Goju Ryu Karate is one of the four original Okinawan styles of Karate. Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate employs hard and soft techniques with circular and linear movements. Goju Ryu has a great variety of hand and foot techniques.

Emphasis in Goju Ryu is placed on strengthening the body and mind with supplementary exercises. Goju Ryu’s most famous exponent is Morio Higaonna - chief instructor of the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karatedo Federation (I.O.G.K.F.).

Origin of Goju Ryu Karate: Okinawa

Founder of Goju Ryu: Chojun Miyagi 1888-195 -"Martial Arts Info - Goju Ryu." Martial Arts Information - Martial-Arts-Info.com. Martial Arts Info. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. .

Dim Mak

"Dim Mak, also know as Death Touch, is the ancient martial art of striking vital points of an opponent’s body. These strikes are engineered to cause “knock-out”, death or delayed reaction in the opponent.

These vital points are the same as used for healing in acupuncture and other Asian healing arts. Dim Mak is an integral part of all martial arts. However, very few instructors know much of specific Dim Mak techniques, and those that do are reluctant to pass on this knowledge to their students.

Most pressure points are located along the center line, an important concept of many Kung Fu styles including Wing Chun Kung Fu. Pressure points exist in the arms, legs, back and head, and they are also considered when protecting major striking targets along the centre line.

Origin of Dim Mak: China

Popularised by: George Dillman, through seminars books and video"-"Martial Arts Info - Dim Mak." Martial Arts Information - Martial-Arts-Info.com. Martial Arts Info. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. .

This is the scary stuff! I'm sorry, but I'm probably worried about this martial art then others. Why? Oh I dunno, maybe it's because they can make you relieve yourself of your bowels by just touching your arm right above your armpit. And I don't want to be killed by just a touch! No thank you!

Choy Li Fut

"Choy Li Fut is a combination of many Chinese martial arts styles (including Southern and Northern styles), and includes the five animals - Tiger, Dragon, Crane, Leopard, Snake.

Choy Li Fut was developed in 1836 by Chan Heung, who learned martial arts from his uncle, a famous Shaolin Boxer. Chan Heung named his amalgation of Kung-Fu styles after his two teachers, Choy Fok and Li Yau-San. Fut means Buddha in Cantonese, and was added to the name of his new style as an acknowledgement of his uncle and Shaolin roots of the system.

Choy Li Fut is an effective self-defence system and contains a wide variety of techniques, including long and short range punches, kicks, sweeps and takedowns, lethal pressure point attacks, joint locks, and grappling. It also practices many of the traditional Kung Fu weapons.

Although rare outside of China, Choy Li Fut remains a very popular martial arts style in mainland China today.

Origin of Choy Li Fut Kung Fu: China

Founder of Choy Li Fut Kung Fu: Chan Heung, in 183" -"Martial Arts Info - Choy Li Fut." Martial Arts Information - Martial-Arts-Info.com. Martial Arts Info. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. .

I don't even know how to describe this Martial Art...it's a combination of many.

Capoeira

"Capoeira is an energetic, often acrobatic, dance-like style of martial art. Capoeira was first practiced by African slaves who were taken to work in Brazil. Capoeira is primarily based around kicking, as a slave’s hands were normally manacled.

In Capoeira, many movements are carried out while in a handstand position, often resembling modern Breakdance moves.

There are a variety of forms of Capoeira, including where two people “play” fight each other inside a circle formed by spectators, while other members of the group play instruments and sing. The music dictates the speed or tempo of the movements.

Origin: Brazil" -"Martial Arts Info - Capoeira." Martial Arts Information - Martial-Arts-Info.com. Martial Arts Info. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. .

See! Once again, not all martial arts come from Asia. It's actually pretty cool to visualize this fighting style in action. I'll fill this post up with a bunch of pictures too, cause you guys gotta see it!

Fancy, right?
Look it up on YouTube. It's way cooler to watch in motion.

Boxing (A.K.A. Western Boxing)

"Boxing is in principle a sport, more than a martial art. In both amateur boxing and professional boxing, the bouts are heavily regulated.

When it comes to punching technique and power, there are few martial arts that are as focused on fist strikes as is boxing, which makes boxers formidable opponents in mixed martial arts competitions (or on the street, for that matter).

Boxing is carried out in a series of rounds. Both boxers wear heavy gloves that protect their hands and their opponent from injury. Handwraps are used to stabilize the bones in the hand, allowing the boxers to throw very hard punches that otherwise wouldn’t be possible using bare closed-fist techniques.

Striking techniques of boxing

The jab. Executed with the leading arm, the jab is the most effective strike in boxing. It is a quick action, where the arm is quickly retracted after punching, and relies more on speed and reach than on power.

The cross. The most powerful strike, where using the body weight and body rotation, the rear fist is brought straight forward.

The hook. Typically performed with the lead hand, the hook is a small semi circular strike to circumvent the guard of the opponent. Most often targeted at the head, it can also be used for body strikes.

The uppercut. A strike famous in boxing. The fist is thrust upwards, often sliding through the opponents guard, typically aimed at connecting with the chin of the opponent.

History of boxing

Although the history of boxing (or rather, fist fighting) can be traced back to 1000s or years A.D., in modern times boxing became infamous in England, in the 18th century, where bare-knuckled prize fighting was popular.

Proponents of the art

In the United States of the 20th, there were many outstanding fighters that shaped how boxing was perceived. In the 1920s, Jack Dempsey became almost a folk hero for the American public, and was the first boxer to come to world fame, and to introduce boxing to a worldwide audience.

The heavy weight champions Muhammed Ali and later on Mike Tyson kept boxing in the headlines." -"Martial Arts Info - Boxing." Martial Arts Information - Martial-Arts-Info.com. Martial Arts Info. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. .

Ah, MartialArtsInfo.com. How would I ever explain anything without you. haha

As you can see, not all Martial Arts are from Asian country's, let alone some super secret underground art, that people can only learn by climbing the tallest mountain in Asia to be taught by some old hermit master. ...People watch movies to much.

I'm pretty sure most of you already know what the hell Boxing is, so there's not much to explain. Have some pictures.

Aikido

"Aikido is considered to be a non-aggressive style, as the Aikido student does not instigate the attack. The basic principle of Aikido is “Do not fight force with force”. Aikido uses very few punches and kicks. Instead, the attackers force is redirected into throws, locks and restraining techniques. Size, weight, age and physical strength differences of the opponents play only a small role, as the skilled Aikido practitioner is able to redirect the attackers energy, keeping his attacker in a constant of unbalance.

To be effective, Aikido takes longer to learn than most other martial arts. Aikido can be practiced to a late age because this martial art does not rely on flexibility, muscle speed, or strength. Thus it has become especially popular with women and senior citizens.

Aikido training teaches the use of several martial arts weapons such as Tento, Jo and Bokken

. There is also a sport style of Aikido named Tomiki Aikdo.

Origin of Aikido: Japan

Founder of Aikido: Morihei Ueshiba 1883-1969

Popularised by: Movie star Steven Seagal, the first Western person to open an Aikido school in Japan." -"Martial Arts Info - Aikido." Martial Arts Information - Martial-Arts-Info.com. Martial Arts Info. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. .

The basic summary's all there. Aikido is simply a survival Martial Art, more toward overbearing your opponant, and getting away.

I'll Post pictures of the weapon here.

Tento

Jo

Bokken

First thing's first

Now, when I talk about martial arts, a lot of you would probably think directly to a movie, or to Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Chuck Norris. But the fact of the matter is that it's extremely more complicated then one might think.

Not only is it hard to accomplish, but there's many different styles to choose from. As my job, I will give you those styles, define them, and tell you the basics.

Here are styles I will be doing.
Aikido
Boxing (Yes, it is a martial art)
Capoeira
Choy Li Fut
Dim Mak
Goju Kai
Goju Ryu
Hapkido
Hsing
Iaido
Jeet Kune Do
Jujitsu
Judo
Jujutsu
Kali
Karate
Kempo
Kendo
Kickboxing
Krav Maga
Kung Fu
Kyokushinkai
Muay Thai
Ninjitsu
PaKua
Pentjak Silat
Sambo
Savate
Shito Ryu
Shorin Ryu
Shorinji Kempo
Shotokan
Shukokai
Sumo (Yes, this is also a martial art. Surprising, right?)
Tae Kwon Do
Tai Chi Chuan
Tang Soo Do
Uechi Ryu
Wado Ryu
Wing Chun
Yoseikan

I will be doing these all in alphabetical order, unless someone requests me to do one early.

Just let me know your questions!