Martial Arts Styles: Origins and Evolution

Martial artists from around the world use various styles to tailor their training and combat techniques to specific needs. This includes boxers, wrestlers, and traditional Asian martial artists. Why do these individuals and communities choose to use styles in their training and practice? Let's explore why and how these styles come to be.

Why Do Martial Artists Use Styles?

A variety of factors contribute to why martial artists use and create different styles. These styles serve multiple purposes, including adapting to physical limitations, addressing specific needs, and even creating new techniques out of necessity or intellectual pursuit.

Adapting to Needed Skills: Some styles were developed to overcome specific challenges. For example, Cus D'Amato, the legendary boxing trainer, created the Peek A Boo style for smaller heavyweight boxers. This style allows for better leverage and defense against larger opponents by keeping the hands more closely guard.

Creating New Styles Based on Old Techniques: Greco-Roman wrestling is a great example of a style developed to recreate Hellenistic wrestling styles, based on ancient paintings and artwork found in amphorae. This style was later formalized and recognized in the Olympics, making it a legitimate and respected style of wrestling.

Traditional Asian Martial Arts and Their Styles

Traditionally, the style of martial arts practiced by Asian fighters is often characterized by its diversity and uniqueness. Every town, village, and region might have its own style, adapting to the specific circumstances and challenges faced by its inhabitants.

Creation Through Multiple Instructors: In some cases, the development of a style can be traced back to a series of instructors. For example, during periods of unrest, village leaders may seek to train their people to defend themselves against external threats. In these instances, multiple trainers, each bringing their own techniques and insights, can lead to the emergence of a unique style. Villagers would practice and adapt what they learned, often incorporating their own observations and modifications.

Self-Teaching with External Influences: Occasionally, individuals would hire traveling martial artists to teach them basic techniques. These martial artists might add to or modify existing techniques, contributing to the evolution of a unique style over time. This was often done out of a desire to learn fighting skills, stay physically fit, and alleviate boredom.

Insight and Adaptation: Some styles are created due to intellectual pursuits or practical needs. Xing Yi Quan (or Shape-Intent Fist) is a prime example. It was developed by a Ming dynasty soldier who wanted to adapt his spear skills to empty-handed combat. In times when weapons bans were in place, such as during the Qing dynasty, fighters developed styles that adapted existing weapon techniques to empty-handed movements. Similarly, Mizong Quan (or Lost Path Boxing) and Tai Shing Pek Kwar (a style that emulates monkey movements) were created out of necessity or for entertainment purposes.

Conclusion

The creation of martial arts styles is a dynamic and diverse process that reflects the varied circumstances and needs of different communities. From adapting to physical limitations to creating new techniques based on past experiences, the reasons for developing styles are as varied as the individuals and communities that practice them.