Styles

AIKIDO
Aikido is a Japanese grappling system developed from Jiu Jitsu. The object of aikido is to neutralize the attacker's force by moving with and redirecting it to the defender's advantage. Counter attacks are mainly delivered to the joints and especially the wrists. For this reason, the white training uniform is often quite light - it does not have to withstand the pulling and tugging that is found in activities like Judo.

There are three principal schools of Aikido:
Traditional Aikido : is practised as taught by the founder of Aikido, the late Morihei Ueshiba. There is no competitive element.
Tomiki Aikido : is founded on free style practice whereby students learn to apply techniques against resistance. It involves self defence and competition of various types.
Yoshinkan Aikido : involves a lot of Ueshiba's earlier teachings and forms the basis of excellent self defence. It is a favoured system of many military and police units of Japan.

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Aikido forms derived from Yoshinkan and Traditional Aikido respectively:
Shudokan Aikido - a strong self defence oriented system based upon the Yoshinkan style.
Ki' Aikido - stresses the importance of inner power in the execution of its techniques.
The Aikido student undergoes regular grading assessments in order to rate performance. There is a ladder of progression from beginner to black belt with each rung in the ladder denoted by a coloured belt. There are also stages within the black belt known as 'dan' grades.
Aikido is fairly well established throughout Britain.

BUDO AND BUJITSU
Bujitsu is the military techniques of Japan. It encompassed all the activities needed by the warrior, including horseriding, swimming, archery and swordfighting. 

 

 

 Budo is the study of the Bujitsu activities for a non-military purpose, such as improvement of the student's character.

CAPOEIRA
Capoeira is a Brazilian art form developed as a form of self-defence by African slaves in Brazil in the 18th century.  Capoeira incorporates diverse elements of  African culture,  including dance, music, acrobatics, and various fighting forms. A dynamic fusion of deadly fighting movement, brilliant acrobatic dance and beautiful music. "Imagine a cross between karate and ballet, set it to African rhythms and you will have some idea of Capoeira".
This style of of fighting form, disguised as dance has always been based on the principle of surprise and improvisation.  The African people who were enslaved by the colonial Portuguese were forced to create an effective and unknown fighting form, both as a means of defence and to free themselves from slavery. 
Once free, the African Brazilian people formed hidden communities called Quilombos deep in the forests of north east Brazil, where they were able to develop the fighting skills that we call Capoeira. 
Capoeira has evolved directly as part of Brazilian culture and history.  From the Quilombos to the streets of Salvador, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, Capoeira has thrived as an expression of life and resistance.  The Brazilian government prohibited its practice until the 1930's but by 1974 the first Capoeira Federation was created and by the 1990's the first Confederation  in the State of Sao Paulo was formed.
The survival, evolution and subsequent development of Capoeira around the world is the result of the work of numerous dedicated masters.
Capoeira has established centres in London, Windsor and Manchester.  Visit the London School of Capoeira website from the Members page.

CHOI KWANG DO
Choi Kwang Do is a modern form of non-competitive self defence. Developed by Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi (a former Taekwondo Master) it is based on three concepts:
i. Every movement must be practical and effective for self defence
ii. Every movement must be beneficial to overall health
iii. Movements should be natural and easy to perform correctly
Choi Kwang Do is well established throughout the United Kingdom

ESCRIMA
Escrima is a Phillippino combat system meaning 'Skirmish'. It is also known as 'Kali', or 'Arnis de Mano' ('Hand-art'). Contestants use a pair of short sticks and attempt to strike each other's head and body. In some styles, only one stick per competitor is used.
Escrima students wear tee-shirts and loose trousers. The sticks are held close to one end and a rhythm of movement is built up. As proficiency increases, so speed and body movement accelerate.
Competitions are held in the Philippines and America. Escrima is not well established in the United Kingdom.

FULL CONTACT
Full Contact is a combat sport based upon Karate, Kung Fu and Taekwondo. It is also known as 'Contact Karate' and 'Kick Boxing'. Full contact competition permits full power kicks and punches to the head and body and so its practice is subject to strict medical supervision.
Fighters are categorised according to weight and experience. Less experienced fighters' compete on judo mats whilst top fighters' compete over several rounds in a boxing ring. Uniform consists of elasticated trousers. Sometimes, a karate-like jacket is worn. Normal boxing gloves are used and special padded boots cover the insteps, but not the soles of the feet.
Competition actually forms only a part of full contact. Most training is devoted to practice of techniques and developing fitness. A ladder of progression signified by coloured belts is used. Beginners are taught basic kicks and punches and their combinations. As the student improves, he/she is taught more difficult techniques.
Sparring in the training hall is often of a non-, or semi-contact nature, with techniques 'pulled' on impact to avoid injury.
Full contact is fairly well distributed throughout Britain

HAPKIDO
Hapkido is a Korean martial art with similarities to Japanese Aikido. 'Hapkido' means 'The Way of Harmony of Mind and Body'.
The Hapkido syllabus teaches Aikido-type roll-outs and wrist/joint attacks. It also teaches punching, striking and kicking techniques, including the peculiarly Korean high circling kicks. Hapkido is primarily a self defence system and there are virtually no sporting connotations. Students wear lightweight tunics with the trousers often darker coloured than the jacket. In some schools, the uniform is entirely dark coloured.
There is a ladder of progression from beginner to black belt. The ladder is composed of a number of rungs called 'kups', identified by coloured belts. Assessment examinations, or 'gradings' are normally held every three months.
Hapkido is not well distributed throughout Britain.
 

JIU JITSU
'Jiu Jitsu' means 'Compliant Techniques'. The ancient noble warriors of Japan were experts in weaponry. On occasion, it was necessary to capture rather than kill an enemy and so the martial arts were expanded to include an unarmed form of combat.
Since the warrior wore armour, striking techniques were not suitable so moves were developed which attacked the joints in that armour. These were probably influenced by Chinese wrestling methods. By the nineteenth century, the unarmed system was recognised in its own right and named 'Jiu Jitsu'.
From the crude wrestling of armoured warriors came a refined and scientific way of throwing, holding and subduing. The opponent's weight was used against him and his intent was weakened by blows to vulnerable areas.
Persons who practise Jiu Jitsu are known as ' Jiu Jitsuka'. They wear a white tunic similar to that in Aikido. There is a ladder of progression against which the jiu jitsuka measure themselves and each rung in the ladder is identified by a coloured belt. As the student progresses, so the syllabus expands and becomes more technically demanding.
Advanced students learn the vital points which when struck can cause unconsciousness. There is little formal competition in Jiu Jitsu these days but some does exist.
Jiu Jitsu is fairly well distributed throughout the United Kingdom
 

HWARANG DO
Hwarang Do means 'The Way of the Flowering Youth'. It is not a martial art, though often wrongly claimed to be one. Hwarang do comes from ancient Korea where it was a code of behaviour, training and ethics followed by the Hwarang, or 'Flowering Youth'. The Hwarang were young Korean shock troups, highly trained in the martial arts by Buddhist monks. They were selected from the nobly born and young men of unblemished character.
The Hwarang were skilled not only in military techniques but also in poetry and art. The deeds of the Hwarang are well chronicled in Korean history and through their efforts, the three previously independent Kingdoms of Korea were united into one.
 

KARATE
Karate means 'Empty Hand'. Sometimes it is referred to as 'Karate-do' or 'the Way of Karate'. Karate was developed in Okinawa where it served as a self defence against thieves and marauders. At that time, it also involved the usage of weapons such as the quarterstaff and rice flails. Karate was introduced to Japan by a school teacher named Gichin Funakoshi. Other Okinawan masters followed, introducing their own styles of practice.
Modern Karate is almost entirely a striking system, using high energy kicks, punches and strikes as weapons. Persons practising Karate are known as Karateka. They wear light, white cotton tunics fastened with a coloured belt. The colours of the belt vary according to proficiency attained. At regular intervals, the karateka undergoes a grading examination. The coloured belts leading to a black belt are known as kyu grades. Black belts are known as dan grades and there is a scale of proficiency between 1st dan and 10th dan within the black belt gradings.
Karate training consists of basic technique, in which the class advances up and down the training hall or 'dojo', practising a single technique. This is followed by combination technique where several individual techniques are performed in a sequence. 'Kata' is the name given to an extended series of combination techniques representing symbolic defence against multiple assailants.
There are also forms of practice involving two karateka. One may perform 1, 3, or 5 serial attacking moves whilst the other will defend in a particular way. Alternatively, the attack may be restricted in format but spontaneous in its delivery. A third form consists of actual combat where blows are pulled short of hard contact. This is called 'free sparring'.
Karate can serve as both a self defence system and combat sport with well developed rules. In a Karate competition, the object is to land a technically acceptable scoring technique on the opponent's body with controlled force. The winner is the fighter who gains the most full points ('Ippon') to a maximum of three, or six half points (Waza-ari') in the 2 or 3 minute bout. Fist mitts must be worn and soft shin pads are optional
The following are the main schools of Karate:-
Shotokan : The largest practised style of Karate in Britain. It uses low stances and is a 'hard' style (i.e. one using considerable muscle power in the delivery of its technique)
Shotokai : Is similar to Shotokan in that the stances are low but otherwise, the style is 'soft' and there is no competition fighting.
Wado Ryu : Uses higher stances than Shotokan and Shotokai and its movements are lighter and characterised by a whiplash effect.
Kyokushinkai : Is a very hard and strenuous style emphasising wood and stone breaking. The competition format is particularly arduous.
Shukokai : Is a fast and powerful style. Techniques are tested for impact against absorbent pads.
Goju Ryu : Is an Okinawan style which uses a mixture of hard and soft techniques. It is strenuous and does not often go in for competition.
Sankukai : Is a minority style using circular movements.
Nanbudo : Is based upon Sankukai and contains many departures from classical karate practice.
Uechi Ryu : Like Goju Ryu, Uechi Ryu is distinctly Okinawan and quite different to the Japanese schools. The body is rigorously conditioned during practice.
Ishin Ryu : Is formed from a fusion of Kyokushinkai with Wado Ryu and Shotokan. It is an effective competition form.
Bujinkai : This modern style includes elements of Wado Ryu Karate and Praying Mantis Kung Fu. It is identified by black trousers worn with white tunic tops.
Karate is well distributed throughout the United Kingdom
 

KERALA KALARIPPAYAT
Kalarippayat is the martial art of Kerala, South India. Practiced as a way of life by Kerala's ancient feudal warriors.
Kalarippayat means, 'The Fighting Art of the Kalari' (Kalari's were ancient colleges and places of learning in Kerala for martial arts, medicine, and other arts and sciences).
Another general meaning could be 'Battle field training'. Practice begins with body exercises (Mei Thozhil) and forms. Progressing to weapons skills and forms. Weapons include the long stick, short stick, sword, dagger and spear. Then empty hands fighting and self defence are practised alongside meditative disciplines and medicine.
Kelarippayat is influenced by the Indian sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine)
Kelari Kalarippayat is not well established in Britain.
 

KENDO/IAIDO
Kendo is a Japanese combat sport and martial art which uses the live blade, the oaken sword and the bamboo sword. It is very old and based upon original swordfighting techniques used by Japanese warriors. Kendo armour consists of a helmet with a steel face grill, a fibreglass breast-plate and a pair of stout gauntlets. It is worn over a 'keikogi', (a jacket similar to that worn for Judo) and a traditional hakama.
There is a ladder of student proficiency which extends through the elementary, or 'kyu' grades, to the black belt, or 'Dan' grades. The basic cuts to the head, midsection and wrists are the usual starting point for a beginner. Other Kendo exercises follow, culminating in practice bouts with more experienced kendoka (the name given to those who practise Kendo). Kendo competitions depend for their result on scores being awarded for clean cuts to scoring areas.
Iaido is the Japanese art of drawing, using and re-sheathing the sword. The object is to achieve perfect form in a set series of moves.
Kendo / Iaido is fairly well distributed throughout Britain.
 

KOBUDO
Kobudo is an old Japanese and Okinawan martial art weapon study. It uses such weapons as the rice flail ('Nunchaku'), rice grinder handles ('Tonfa'), sickles ('Kama') and composite weapons such as the Kusarigama.  No grades are awarded. 
Kobudo is not well distributed throughout Britain.
 

KYUDO
Kyuodo is 'The Way of The Bow'. It is practised with the intention of achieving perfect form in the process of addressing the target, nocking the arrow and releasing it. Accuracy is not a major consideration!
Kyudo students wear white cotton jackets above dark split skirts. there is a ladder of progression from beginner to black belt and the stages between the two are known as 'Kyu' grades.
Kyudo is not well distributed throughout Britain.
 

KUNG FU
The Chinese arts are believed to be the forerunners of most other Asian fighting systems. There are many hundreds, if not thousands of Chinese fighting arts, often regarded together as Kung Fu.
The rich and colourful history of China and the fact that many of the ancient kung fu masters were monks, wise men and scholars etc., means that some styles will also include Chinese medicine. There is also a long tradition of the teaching of weapons (between two to eighteen different types) alongside the empty hand forms.
Kung Fu (Northern Chinese styles) The northern systems of Chinese kung fu are renowned for their famous high kicks. Great emphasis is placed on flexibility and leg strength. Movements are graceful and require great agility and often include weaponry training.
Kung Fu (Southern Chinese styles) Southern kung fu places greater emphasis on hand techniques and lower kicks. Heavy power conditioning exercises are frequently employed, keeping very low stances. Dynamic and powerful, the southern systems may also include training with numerous classical weapons.
Soft styles - don't be mislead because a system is described as being a 'soft' style, it is no less effective than its 'harder' relatives. The soft arts aim to develop the inner power or Chi. Practitioners of the soft arts demonstrate grace and harmony and may sometimes include weapons.
Kung Fu is fairly well established throughout Britain.
 

NIPPON KEMPO
Nippon Kempo is a Japanese combat sport developed in the first quarter of the 20th century from Karate, Judo and Boxing. Students wear protective armour in the form of boxing gloves, a fibreglass breastplate (with a padded waistcoat beneath it) and a steel grilled face mask.
Nippon Kempo is both an impact and grappling system. The object is to score points for clean and effective strikes or throws.
Training consists of basic kicks and punches, footwork, shadow boxing and evasion practice. As soon as the student is competent, he or she is allowed to take part in armoured sparring. Students of Nippon Kempo wear light white cotton jackets and trousers.
Different coloured belts are worn according to the student's experience. The coloured belts are equivalent to stages in a ladder of achievement leading to black belt. There are also grades within the black belt itself. The lowest grade of black belt is a first dan and the most senior, a tenth dan.
Nippon Kempo is found mainly in London and Liverpool.   
 

SHORINJI KEMPO
Shorinji Kempo is a martial art way based upon Buddhist philosophy. It was founded by Doshin So in the early twentieth century and represents a Japanese version of the ancient Kung Fu of the Chinese Shaolin Temple.

Doshin So, a profoundly religious man, created a philosophy based upon Zen Buddhism. He called his philosophy 'Kongo-Zen' or 'Mind like a Diamond'.
Shorinji Kempo provides a physical vehicle for the Kongo-zen philosophy and the highest grades in the art are monks.
Students of Shorinji Kempo or 'Kenshi' wear a coloured belt. Its colour is related to the position in a ladder of progression which ultimately leads to a black belt. Within the black belt are subsequent levels, or 'dan' grades.
Shorinji Kempo's physical side consists of 'hard' techniques, such as punches and kicks and 'soft' techniques, such as locks, holds and throws. More advanced students are taught healing massage to the body's vital points.
The spiritual side of Shorinji Kempo involves meditation and question and answer sessions designed to explain aspects of the philosophy.
Shorinji Kempo is not widely established throughout Britain.
 

TAEKWONDO
Two forms of Taekwondo are practised in Britain, one by affiliates of the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), and the other by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). WTF Taekwondo has been accepted by the International Olympic Committee and the British Olympic Association.
WTF Taekwondo sport is fought by contestants wearing body armour. Full contact kicks and punches delivered with correct form to specified target areas score points. These accumulate through a number of rounds. ITF sport Taekwondo uses light contact with hands and feet protected by padded gloves and boots. In both cases the winner scores the most points.
The uniform (tobok), comprises trousers and either a wrap-over jacket or a vee neck tunic. Black belts sometimes wear black trimming on their uniforms. Levels of ability are marked by coloured belts. Below black belt these are called 'kup' grades. Degrees of ability and experience in black belts are referred to as 'Dan' grades.
Training is usually practised in lines, starting with warm-up exercises and progressing to the practice of various basic techniques separately and in combination. Techniques are also practised with a partner. Free sparring develops co-ordination and speedy reflexes.
Taekwondo is well distributed throughout Britain.
 

TAIHO JUTSU
Taiho Jutsu is a Japanese term used to describe police arrest and self defence techniques. It is a modern system derived mainly form aiki ju-jutsu, judo and keibo-jutsu. It is essentially a grappling system but does include a limited number of striking techniques to counter serious attacks, particularly where a weapon is involved.
A pattern of defensive techniques is taught. These deal with various forms of attack, first at a basic and later at a more advanced level. The same pattern is repeated, using a truncheon and three foot staff.
Free fighting (both standing and on the ground) is practised. This helps condition the student to physical contact and to react correctly under stress.
For ordinary practice it is recommended that a judo uniform is worn. Where practicable, students should on occasion train outdoors in normal clothing.
There is a grading system which follows the traditional Japanese method of progression through five kyu (student) grades before reaching dan grade (black belt). There are also further grades of promotion within the black belt.
Taiho-jutsu is practised by the Police forces of England (with the exception of the Metropolitan Police) and Wales.
 

TANG SOO DO
When the umbrella Korean Taekwondo organisation was formed in 1955, Tang Soo Do declined to affiliate and remained independent.
Tang Soo Do practice is intermediate between Taekwondo and Karate. It is a striking system using high circling kicks and strong punches. Its students wear white cotton tunics with coloured belts indicating the degree of proficiency attained. Within the black belt is a further ladder of proficiency known as the 'Dan' grades.
Class practice takes place in lines. Patterns are a development of combination techniques, representing symbolic defence against multiple imaginary attackers.
There is also prearranged practice where two students perform a specific attack and response. In free sparring, blows and kicks of limited force are exchanged.
Tang Soo Do is fairly well established throughout Britain.
 

THAI BOXING  (MUAY THAI)
Thai Boxing is similar to Full contact. Fighters wear boxing shorts and gloves. The feet are unprotected. competitions take place in a boxing ring and several rounds are fought.
Thai Boxers' are famous for their powerful, high kicks. Unlike the kicks of Karate or Taekwondo, they are performed in a straight-legged way, impacting with the shin.
At the beginning of each match, the Thai Boxer puts on a ritual head band or 'Mongkon' and performs a curious symbolic dance, or 'Ram Muay'. the form this takes is peculiar to the boxing gym in which it originates.
Thai Boxing is fairly well distributed throughout Britain.
TAI CHI
raditional Chinese practitioners have believed for several hundreds of years that illnesses and ailments occur when the body’s internal energy is weak or at a low.
Tai Chi helps maintain good energy with gentle fluid movements making it a perfect form of exercise for everyone. Many studies, around the world, have been conducted in the benefits of Tai Chi producing positive results.
Tai Chi can provide an wide range of benefits for many conditions, which include:

  • Reducing stress

  • Aiding the relief of back and shoulder problems

  • Aiding the relief of muscles aches

  • Aiding sleep and relaxing the body has a whole

  • A stronger bill of health therefore increasing the body’s immune system

  • Reduction of Hypertension

  • Migraine sufferers are often relieved of symptoms

  • Asthma sufferers are able to reduce their use of inhalers

Tai Chi also has other benefits that help the human body, which include:

  • Toning of body muscles.

  • Increase in co-ordination

  • Increased mobility of all joints

  • Increase of balance

  • Increase of flexibility

  • Increase of agility