Kickboxing is a relatively new art in comparison to some of the older forms of Martial Arts. Therefore it has the benefit of having tried and tested ingredients from various systems without being caught up in too much tradition. Kickboxing is about using what works and that can vary from person to person. It allows the individual to tailor movements to suit their own body type. Kickboxing conforms to the individual instead of making the individual conform to it.

Some styles of martial arts heavily emphasize the sport aspects of the arts, such as sparring, often with heavy contact. These styles tend to also emphasize competitive use of martial arts, such as tournaments or "the junior Olympics." Other styles, such as ours, emphasize the self-improvement and practical self-defense uses of the martial arts. Our students do not attend tournaments for this reason. See similar questions...

Traditional martial arts emphasize a holistic view to training both the body and the mind. Philosophy and ideals are just as important to traditional martial arts as physical prowess (see the Dojo Kun). Traditional martial arts are based on time-honored techniques and systems. Classes are more disciplined and place more emphasis on etiquette than the typical street-corner karate school. See similar questions...

I ran into an interesting website About.com (a career planning site) and have linked to a few of their pages. Martial Arts.About.Com has an interesting series of articles on the martial arts. (Some pretty funny) This next one is how to choose a school. Martial Arts Choosing a Style See similar questions...

No. Universal Chigong is just healing art, not any religion, even though we selected the exercises from different religious group. Yes. The best metal is gold and then silver, copper. Body piercings and Tatoo's will effect the flow of chi to some extent. See similar questions...

The difference between internal and external in martial arts is the subject of considerable debate. We use the term 'external' to refer to basic attributes like strength, speed, flexibility, endurance, and technique which are common to all martial arts. We use the term 'internal' to refer to a focus on energy mastery. See similar questions...

There are many similarities as well as differences between different martial arts. The main similarity is to learn how to defend yourself, and/or your family. The differences is where the emphasis is placed in each individual martial art style. Judo, for instance emphasizes on grappling, locks, throws, while karate emphasizes on a variety of strikes, blocks, counters. Even amongst the different styles of karate, you will find some styles that emphasize more on one aspect than the other. See similar questions...

Traditional martial arts is an art and sport that may have been effective in fighting centuries ago, but ill-suited to modern realities. Martial arts emphasizes forms or kata (the memorization and performance of a specific sequence of techniques) and perfect execution of techniques. Self-defense emphasizes awareness, de-escalation oral techniques, and if necessary, any physical means to stop the attacker and escape. See similar questions...

Kung Fu differs from Karate and Tae Kwon Do in principle and technique. Kung Fu is more fluid and makes more use of circular techniques. However, this does not mean that Kung Fu lacks power. The power in the techniques is generated in much the same way as a towel that is being snapped. A towel is loose and soft, yet if it is snapped quickly, like a whip, it becomes powerful and is rigid and hard at the point of impact. See similar questions...

The simple answer is that Shotokan uses the hands and feet to punch, kick, grab, take down, and strike, as needed. Traditional Shotokan karate does not emphasize kicking more than punching, or punching more than kicking, or grappling more than restraining tactics–traditional Shotokan karate is a varied martial arts system. All styles of martial arts differ in the application of body dynamics and body mechanics. See similar questions...

Cardio Kickboxing (like boxercise & Tae-bo) is a Kickboxing & aerobic routine combined to music. All moves and techniques are performed in the air (i.e. not striking anything). Cardio kickboxing is great for toning up and burning fat as it has been proven to burn up to 800 calories per hour! - Don't worry becaue you can take as many breaks as you like. See similar questions...

No, most of our new members have no previous experience. If you have experience in karate or some other martial art, of course you're also welcome. See similar questions...

All martial arts have their specialties and unique character. Shotokan is traditional Japanese karate that specializes in punching, striking, kicking and blocking techniques. However, there is much overlap in technique among martial arts styles. For example, we also do sweeping, throwing and joint-locking techniques. In Shotokan, you won't see much of the flashy spinning and jumping about that is popular in martial arts movies - just techniques that are powerful and effective. See similar questions...

The Olympic sport of fencing is comprised of three weapons: foil, epee, and sabre. All are fenced on a long rectangular strip, and electronic scoring aids are normally used to assist in the detection of touches. The rules governing these three weapons are determined by the FIE (Federation Internationale d'Escrime). See similar questions...

There are LOTS of martial arts around MIT. There is American Jiu Jitsu, DanZan Ryu Jujitsu, Shotokan Karate, Isshinryu Karate Do, MIT Karate, Kodokan Judo (the MIT Judo Club), Numerous Tae Kwon Do clubs (3 of them as of last count), the MIT Boxing Club, the MIT Fencing Club, the MIT Kendo Club (Japanese fencing), Yoga, the Kokikai Aikido and Aikikai Aikido clubs, and a Gung Fu group. I am sure there are more... but I can not think of them off the top of my head. See similar questions...

Martial arts is the discipline of one's mind and body through the use of physical activity. Because martial arts is also an 'art' it is also a form of expression, much like music or dance, giving rise to the appreciation and in some ways an understanding of the Chinese culture. See similar questions...

About 75% of the students have NEVER trained martial arts before they come to us. If you've trained before, you are also certainly welcome to come down and try a free to learn more about us and our programs. See similar questions...

The Martial Arts are the study and application effective fighting techniques. It is this effectiveness which allows a proponent to defeat a much larger opponent. People study martial arts many reasons. One of the main reasons that students commence training in the Martial Arts is to learn how to defend themselves. Many drop out during their career in Martial Arts due to lack of motivation, illness or injury, boredom, or sometimes life simply changes and no longer allows training. See similar questions...

Training in the martial arts is about more than just learning to fight. The physical benefits are amazing. Anyone looking to get in shape, get healthy and improve their overall physical condition will be very happy with martial arts training. Martial arts training provides a true total body workout. You improve both upper and lower body strength. You also will strengthen your core. See similar questions...

We teach "traditional" martial arts; our emphasis is on self-defense and improving charactor through practice. We do not see tradition as more important than effictiveness. This is in accordance with the origins of martial arts, which were designed both as practical methods of protection and means of self-improvement. However, in time martial arts have become increasingly specialized and narrow in their focus. In some cases this has led to the loss of martial arts' original intent. See similar questions...