Martial Arts
Martial arts originated in East Asia more than 2,000 years ago and have since grown to about 200 individual types practiced by about 100 million people worldwide. The Web will help you learn about the different martial arts so you can choose which one suits you best; it will assist you in finding instruction in the martial art you choose; it will provide you with forums and community Web sites so you can share your zeal with others on martial arts techniques and movies; and it can be a place to buy the equipment and apparel you need.
Martial arts are practiced all over the world, and styles vary from region to region. As such, ... read more »
Martial arts have become a popular activity for children and adults, and there are martial arts ... read more »
Although there is a long list of specialized organizations for each type of martial art, there are ... read more »
If you have a passion for martial arts, whether as a martial arts student, instructor, or fan, there is a place on the Internet to share your thoughts and hear from other enthusiasts. Dispense advice, learn new techniques, find out about popular tournaments, and review the latest equipment in the martial arts forum and blogging community.
- Most of the forums ask that you register before participating, though registration is usually free.
- The sites below are designed solely as places to chat and exchange information, but many of the sites in the section on “Where can I learn about the history and philosophy of martial arts?” also have forums of their own.
For forums...
Martial Arts Planet
is primarily a forum where more than 30,000 registered users discuss many different martial arts topics. Register to participate and then submit pictures, read articles, join clubs, and more.
World Black Belt
is a community for martial artists founded by 50 martial arts masters, including Chuck Norris. Most of the information on this site requires a $30 annual membership fee but includes a number of perks, such as tournament and seminar discounts. Without signing up, you can view profiles of some of the martial arts world’s “
Living Legends” (Wesley Snipes is one example), read short descriptions of the
various martial arts, look through the dictionary of
martial arts terms, and find
events throughout the world.
KarateForums.com
connects martial arts enthusiasts (currently about 10,000 registered users), and isn’t limited to karate. This well-organized site has forum categories like “Styles and Arts,” “General Martial Arts Issues,” and “General Discussion” (which includes jokes and game threads).
BudoSeek! Martial Arts Community
is easy to navigate and has more than 6,500 members. Join a thread for Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other types of martial arts, or access a thread for a type of martial art within one of those categories. There are also other resources, such as link and supply directories.
For blogs …
Martial Development
addresses the philosophy of martial arts and how it can be applied in everyday life. The author encourages his readers to share their comments and stories, making the site a great place for discussion and interaction.
Martial Views
is an insightful blog written by a New Yorker with a background in karate and an interest in martial arts in general. He recounts his personal experiences, but also covers many philosophical and historical aspects of martial arts. The “Featured articles” on the right-hand side showcase his best work.
The fact that there are so many different martial arts from an array of countries and cultures ... read more »
Martial arts movies are a genre unto themselves, popularizing such icons as Bruce Lee, Chuck ... read more »
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