| If you are like me who is fascinated with the | | | | real life violent encounters. Most actual fights by |
| martial arts and who ponders on questions about | | | | mutual combatants will certainly involve weapons |
| the best martial art for self defense or the | | | | and there is nothing sporting about them. |
| ultimate fighting training, there are no quick and | | | | However, the online definition of combat is "to |
| easy answers. Martial art styles abound, a dizzying | | | | fight" or "armed fighting." Couple that word with |
| array actually. One of the newer fads is called | | | | "art," meaning "skill in conducting any human |
| mixed martial arts or MMA for short in which a | | | | activity," and we have the proper name for |
| competitor must be skilled in several styles of | | | | unrestricted warfare against an individual or a |
| martial arts such as kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. Notice | | | | group of individuals - combat arts. |
| that I use the word, "competitor," as a fighter | | | | Combat arts encompass a broad range of ways |
| who competes for a title and/or a prize. These | | | | to effectively confront one or many assailants in |
| athletes, such as the ones who participate in the | | | | any situation and environment, from mere |
| UFC (Ultimate Fighting Champion) events, are in | | | | command presence to shooting firearms. The |
| top physical shape and accomplished martial | | | | secret to being competent in the combat arts is |
| artists. But, they have rules and formats to abide | | | | to mentally and physically train beyond the |
| by. For some of us who seek methods of | | | | confines of the dojo or gym, where it is dry, |
| surviving violent physical attacks or protecting | | | | comfortable, and predictable, and expand the |
| loved ones from such acts, we have to depart | | | | realm of your traditional martial style(s) and |
| from the sporting side of martial arts and | | | | forms. Train outside in any terrain and under |
| discover the ways of combat arts. | | | | inclement weather. Learn other styles and devise |
| The online dictionary meaning of martial arts is | | | | ways to counter their techniques as well as |
| "any of the traditional forms of Oriental | | | | combining them with your own. Is not this |
| self-defense... that utilize physical skill and | | | | reminiscent of Bruce Lee's philosophy of Jeet |
| coordination without weapons...often practiced as | | | | Kune Do (JKD)? |
| sport." This term is restrictive when dealing with | | | | |