Martial arts involves a broad range of activities that involve fighting techniques, physical exercises, and methods of mental discipline, among other skills. Basically it is the “art of combat” or “art of waging war”. It comprises of a set of intricate movements that can be used for offensive or defensive purposes. The need of protecting oneself made nearly every culture on earth develop its own form of self-defense and myriad forms of martial arts are in practice since time immemorial.
Origin
Martial arts developed in countries that have been historically isolated from the Western world. Thus, there are many conflicting theories and opinions concerning the origins of martial arts. What is known is that martial arts began in the ancient cultures of Asia, including China, India and Japan. In both China and India, artifacts from 2,000 to 4,000 years old have been found with paintings of people striking possible martial arts poses.
Most historians believe that martial arts first originated in India. During 11th and 12th century AD, there was a popular form of martial arts, known as Kalaripayattu prevalent in the southern states of India. Bodhidharma, a famous Buddhist monk, learnt this art in India and when he went to China to propagate Buddhism, he introduced this art of fighting to the Chinese. He later incorporated certain changes in the Kalaripayattu way of fighting and gave birth to a new form of martial arts known as the Shaolin Kung Fu.
Qigong , one of the oldest systems that may be considered a martial art, is believed by some historians to be 5,000 years old or older, originating in ancient China.
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