Standing Styles

The focus is punching, kicking and blocking using various stances, footwork and combinations; they are more about speed than power.

Karate

Loosely meaning 'empty hand', this is an art of self-defence as well as a sport. Key elements include stances, posture, body shifting, hip rotation and breathing. Training usually places equal emphasis on basic techniques, sparring and 'forms' or stylised patterns of attacks and defences.

Kung fu

'Skill and effort'. There are many different styles: some use punches and kicks with hard, linear movements, whilst others use soft and circular movements with less emphasis on combat. Some schools may use weapons.

Taekwondo

'The way of hand and foot'. A modern martial art characterised by fast, high and spinning kicks. It combines four disciplines: patterns, sparring, self-defence and break test. More emphasis is place on sport than art.

Kickboxing

Started in the United States during the 1970s. Competitors ﬁght with boxing gloves, footpads, head guards and gum shields. This is a great way of improving ﬁtness, and is often taught in gyms as well as martial arts schools.

Muay Thai

Often referred to as Thai boxing, this is also known as the science of eight limbs - ﬁghters used hands, feet, knees and elbows. New rules and protective wear had to be introduced when it became too dangerous.