A Brief History of Martial Arts

By 914 Training Center

The ability to defend yourself with your bare hands might seem like something fit only for action movies, but the power of martial arts is real, and it has been practiced for centuries. Here is a brief history of martial arts and how you can start learning this age-old craft today.

Ancient History

Drawings of wrestling techniques have been found on the walls of tombs dated as early as 2000 BCE, with martial arts being practiced in competition by the ancient Greeks. By 700 CE, Hindu priests were teaching students the form of self-defense, and by 782 CE, curved samurai swords appeared. Bas reliefs from the 12^th and 13^th centuries show armed and unarmed combat, and trade in the 1400s between Japan and China facilitated the formation of what we know today as karate.

The 20^th Century

Over the years, martial arts continued to flourish across Japan, China, India, and Korea. Trade in the 20^th century between the United States, China, and Japan started influencing Westerners. By 1904, President Roosevelt was receiving private judo lessons from master Yamashita Yoshiaki, and, by 1935, “karate” becomes the official name of Okinawan martial arts.

Modern Martial Arts

Iconic martial artist Bruce Lee is thought to have ignited the passion for martial arts in the United States, with films like Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon taking America by storm. Mixed martial arts, which is a combination of judo, kickboxing, and karate, gained popularity in the early 1990s. These days, mixed martial arts franchises are billion-dollar empires, generating revenue worldwide through pay-per-view fights.

Are you ready to learn more about martial arts? 914 Krav Maga in Scarsdale, NY, is a training center that focuses on teaching students everything from self-defense to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, muay thai, and MMA. In addition to helping people improve their physical condition, this family-owned and -operated facility will help you develop the confidence and self-discipline you need to use your new skills. For more information about their programs, explore their website or call (914) 437-5353.