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.
Expand All Guide SectionsThe History and Philosophy of Martial Arts
Martial arts are practiced all over the world, and styles vary from region to region. As such, ... read more »
Practicing Martial Arts
Martial arts have become a popular activity for children and adults, and there are martial arts schools or instructors in neighborhoods all over the country. The sites below should aid you in choosing a martial art to practice and finding a class in your area.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Many of these directories have similar functions. There are some overlaps among them but there are also definitely some different classes for each, so we’ve included them all to provide you with more options.
- Keep in mind that there are many martial arts classes—especially smaller classes and single instructors—not listed in any of these directories. Sometimes the best way to find instruction in your area is to consult a general directory like YellowPages.com.
Dulcinea's Picks
For help choosing a martial art …
Experience Martial Arts acquaints you with the world of martial arts and helps you get started. The “Learn” section introduces the benefits of practicing martial arts, what you can expect, and how you should choose a style and school. The “Choose” section goes into greater detail on individual styles, with demonstrative video clips and links to other sites. The “Find” section has a very small directory of schools.
wikiHow provides a useful Web page on choosing a martial art to practice. Because anyone can contribute to the page, you should be critical of some of the information presented here. However, the page can still be a great resource with a list of 11 steps to keep in mind when considering martial arts, and some tips and warnings.
MartialStudent.com provides a great introduction to martial arts in general, as well as a section on “How To Choose A Martial Art.” The article presents five questions to ask yourself along with links to more information. The “Training” and “Equipment” sections are helpful, too.
For help finding a school …
Black Belt magazine features the “Dojo Directory,” an interactive map of the United States that makes searching easy. Below the map you can see how many listings there are for each state right away, and there are links for Canada and other international locations.
USADojo.com has listings for schools, organizations, and events. Use the “Search Center” in the left sidebar to browse schools and organizations; schools are sorted by state, but organizations are listed alphabetically by name. For events, seminars, and tournaments, take a look at the “Events Center,” also on the left menu.
MartialArtsCenters.com is a comprehensive resource for anyone seeking a place to study martial arts. Simply type in your zip code, your age, and how many miles you are willing to travel, and the site provides a list of schools. Look for information on martial arts tournaments, and the different styles of martial arts and self defense.
MartialHub.com is a directory to martial arts schools throughout the world and includes links to the Web site of each class or school. It is broken down by type of martial art but does not allow searching by location. Despite that inconvenience, this is still a very helpful site with a substantial number of links.
Martial Arts Clubs features a directory for schools in the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland. It is organized by region, and includes basic contact information and occasionally an organization’s official site.
Martial Arts Organizations and Tournaments
Although there is a long list of specialized organizations for each type of martial art, there are ... read more »
Martial Arts Forums and Blogs
If you have a passion for martial arts, whether as a martial arts student, instructor, or fan, ... read more »
Buying Martial Arts Equipment, Apparel, and Memorabilia
The fact that there are so many different martial arts from an array of countries and cultures ... read more »
Martial Arts Movies
Martial arts movies are a genre unto themselves, popularizing such icons as Bruce Lee, Chuck ... read more »
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