We have all watched our share of action movies with advanced martial arts choreography in them. But what do you really know about martial arts? According to Simmons Market Research and a recent study done in the United States it is estimated that 18.1 million Americans participated in karate or some other form of martial art at least once in the past year: including 9.4 million adults, 5.5 million teenagers and 3.2 million children. The study further revealed that 28 percent of the adults surveyed indicated that they participate in the martial arts “every chance they get.” Of the millions of adults identified in the martial arts 52% are men and 48% are women. 63% of adults in the martial arts are between the ages of 18-34 years. The Martial Arts History Museum reports that 100+ colleges have martial arts programs. And according to by Martialinfo.com, a leading martial arts website, there are an estimated 30,000 martial arts schools across the United States alone each with a student base of a handful to hundreds in each school.
Asian martial arts like karate, jujitsu, kempo, kung fu, ninjutsu, tai chi, tae kwon do and escrima are what are most popular across the country. But boxing, kickboxing, MMA, wrestling, fencing, and European martial arts are growing in popularity as well. There are martial arts to meet the needs and tastes of everyone from ground fighting, to tournaments, from Christian-centered martial arts to Buddhist and Pagan-minded martial arts as demonstrated by PMAC (Pagan Martial Arts Council https://pmac.yolasite.com/). Age and ability are no longer deterrents in martial arts, as programs have been developed in many martial systems and schools that promote ideologies allowing all body types, ages, and limitations to become proficient in self-defense.
There is no one governing agency associated with martial arts. The industry itself cannot settle on one definition of ‘traditional martial arts’ or ‘legitimate martial arts’. Ultimately defining ‘martial arts’ at all can be challenging as everyone has their own, individualized take on the term but let’s set out to establish some definitions anyway.
Let’s define traditional martial arts and modern martial arts to begin. But before even looking at this we need to clarify the term ‘martial art’. Martial arts are fighting styles of systematically collected and organized practices and traditions of combatives, both armed and unarmed; also called war arts. Martial arts are in all cultures and histories though the most popular to date tend to those of Asia.
‘Traditional’ must next be defined. A tradition is a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting; a continuing pattern of culture beliefs or practices; the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation.
‘Modern’ is a term to relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past.
Basically there is no governing body in martial arts and as such each individual association defines martial arts on its own terms.
A martial art should be judged on its merit; effectiveness based upon its individual philosophy(s). Some martial arts are sports oriented, some or historically preserved and some are concept based. Some are geared toward commercial schools and some are taught privately. Some deal only with martial application while a few bring in philosophies of spirituality and healing believing this enhances their arts ability.
One tree is a martial art that is dedicated to preserving ancient traditions. For those unfamiliar with the One Tree system, One Tree is a complete system of warrior instruction of gathered, organized, cultivated and harvested ancient philosophies, concepts and trainings from ancestral teachings now preserved for future generations so they are not lost forever. The system includes multi-cultural aboriginal teachings from several ancient nature- based cultures that include martial, shamanic and healing wisdom and methodologies, formatted in an easy to comprehend 21st century mindset and curriculum. Included in the rich One Tree curriculum is martial application based on natural law as well as various healing and restorative arts. Also included are spiritual teachings based on esoteric sciences relative to all major religions. The Root Masters of the system hold teachings as shaman’s, healers, and advanced degrees in Divinity as well as black belts in a number martial arts styles and systems from around the globe. The application of One Tree is appropriate for practitioners of all martial styles from novice to master wishing to grow further.
Martial arts are a great way to get physically, emotionally, and mentally fit. Research them and find one that meets your needs and do not allow the prejudices of the closed minded to deter you from your study.
Max Holton is a freelance writer and martial artists. To find out more about One Tree click onto PMAC at https://pmac.yolasite.com/
