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Benefits of Training With Martial Arts Weapons

Benefits of Training With Martial Arts Weapons

There are many benefits and opportunities in martial arts training. Some of those benefits come from learning to use various martial arts weapons. Many traditional martial arts schools, especially those that teach Korean Hapkido and Chinese kung fu styles have weaponry as part of their overall curriculum. Popular weapons from Hapkido systems include the long staff, short stick, cane, sword, belt and fan. Chinese kung fu styles utilize broadsword, 3 section staff, kwan do, whip chain, butterfly knives as well as their own versions of the staff. Of course, there are many other types of weapons in martial arts but the above are the more common ones taught. Some of the more exotic weapons include the iron fan, rope dart and the hook swords.

Martial arts weapons can be divided into those for short and long range. An example of a short range weapon would be a pair of short sticks. The bo staff would be a long range weapon because of its longer reach. Weapons can also be divided into bladed and non-bladed. Knives and swords of course would be bladed weapons whereas staffs and canes would be non-bladed. In most training situations with bladed weapons, the blades are not live. That is, the blades of swords and knives are blunt rather than sharp. This adds to the safety aspect of martial arts weapons training. Weapons can also come in different weights from heavy traditional models down to ultra light weight modern versions for forms competition.

In Hapkido and other martial arts systems, weapons are considered as extensions of the martial artist’s own body. For example, strikes with a Hapkido short stick are really extended hand techniques. Blocks with weapons like the Hapkido cane or staff are modeled after traditional martial art empty hand blocking techniques. Therefore, it is important for martial arts students to be relatively proficient with empty hand techniques first before learning to use any martial arts weapon. This will help the students to better understand the applications behind each weapons technique much better. In most Korean Hapkido Federation schools, weapons training won’t be offered until students reach an intermediate level such as green or blue belt. There are martial arts that are strictly weapons oriented. An example is Korean kumdo which is modeled after shilla warrior sword fighting. Philipino arnis is stick fighting which was developed in the South Pacific islands.

In Hapkido I learned the many benefits in training with martial arts weaponry. Because most weapons have some weight to them, their use will help develop muscle tone and strength. Performing forms or poomse with weapons will also develop coordination. In today’s world, martial arts weapons may not be as practical as in past days when it was acceptable to carry weapons wherever one traveled. However, with some understanding of proper weapons techniques, a martial artist today can turn almost any household item such as an umbrella, cane or even a set of keys into weapons of self defense if required. Another important point that shouldn’t be ignored is that most practitioners will tell you that training with martial arts weapons is a lot of fun.

It should be pointed out that not all martial arts clubs and studios will teach weaponry. Many Taekwondo schools for example do not include weapons in their overall training until you reach master level. This is not to say that Korean martial arts do not use weapons. As mentioned earlier the Korean martial art of Hapkido features the staff, sword and cane. So if a martial arts student wishes to learn the use of weapons they should look for a school that includes them in their training when the consider joining a martial arts program. Another alternative for students who are otherwise happy with their martial arts club that doesn’t have weapons training is to get supplementary private instruction from instructors who can provide it or to attend seminars.

In Hapkido class I found that weapons training can open up a whole new dimension to your overall martial arts training. Some advanced Tai-chi practitioners use swords in their forms. It doesn’t matter if the swords are made entirely of wood either, since the actual weapons techniques will still be used in the forms. For many martial arts competitors, weapon forms are their favorite divisions in which to compete. From a spectator point of view, weapons forms can be very exciting to watch, especially when weapons such as whip chains or spears with flags or tassles are used. Their presentations are so dynamic and appear dangerous to the user that the spectator is captivated. However, weapons have caused injuries to users when certain techniques were sloppy or mistimed. But like other aspects of the martial arts, proficiency with a martial art weapon after much hard training can bring a high sense of satisfaction to a martial artist.

It is of paramount importance to study with an appropriatley qualified and certified and certified martial arts instructor in order to learn proper technique and to avoid injury.

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