Although aikido may be the superior martial art (if we do say so, ourselves), it is certainly not the only form or ideology in practice. In this article, we’re breaking down the four most popular martial art forms in St. Louis and how the difference between martial arts styles set them apart.
The Most Popular Martial Art Styles in St. Louis
Aikido
As a student of aikido, you are already familiar with the fundamentals of this particular art form. Aikido revolves around the concept of defense. By using non-violent techniques to redirect the movements of an attacker, aikido’s main goal is to keep both aikidoka and the assailant safe from harm.
Karate
When most people think of martial arts, karate is the first style that comes to mind, thanks, in part, to the mainstream recognition it has received in blockbuster films like The Karate Kid. Karate is an aggression-based martial art style, employing punching, kicking, knee strikes and elbow strikes in order to overcome an opponent.
Judo
Judo, an art form that is often referred to as “the gentle way,” is the closest cousin to aikido that is on this list. Derived from the fighting style of Jujutsu, Judo focuses less on energy momentum and more on exerting strength through holding techniques designed to unbalance and/or throw an opponent.
Taekwondo
Also serving as a defense-based martial art form, Taekwondo was designed from a combination of karate and kung fu. Unique to this particular art form, Taekwondo employs a series of fast kicks aimed at the head (or other parts of the body) in order to disable an opponent.
Why Aikido is Superior To All Other Martial Art Forms
Unlike many of the martial art forms discussed above, aikido is about more than making movements and counter movements. Aikido is a way of life! It nourishes your mind, your body and your soul, all at the same time. In addition, aikido is based on mutual respect for both the aikidoka and the assailant. We don’t start fights, but by using the gifts given to us by nature – such as inertia, momentum and gravity – aikidoka have the power to end fights quickly, safely and effectively.
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