Martial art equipment
Defense is an instinct that people automatically show whenever danger threatens. But humans are made in a way that reflex actions are often dangerous and unwise in times of acute danger. In this case, people who have had training can control their reflexes better and take measures to protect themselves. Martial arts is an excellent form of defense and can be practiced by any person. All forms of martial arts have two things in common : discipline and training.
Basic Equipment
Though martial arts usually do not require many fancy weapons or different materials and consists mainly of specific techniques by which the power of the body can be made use of, there are certain basic requirements for anyone wishing to get trained in this art.
Some of the major martial arts equipments general to many different types of martial arts are:
Uniforms - these are clothing that are worn by martial arts practitioners. Most of the martial arts advocate the wearing of loose clothing that let the body move freely during practice. Martial arts such as karate and tae kwon do have uniforms with a loose trousers and a loose shirt held up with a belt. The color of the belt usually denotes the rank of the practitioner.
Breaking boards - breaking boards are used by martial arts practitioners to demonstrate their skill by breaking a wooden board into pieces with the hands or feet. Bricks, cinder blocks or ice are also used for this purpose. Though many traditional Japanese schools reject this practice, it is quite popular in the modern conception of martial arts. The dimensions of the board is usually 9in*12in*1in.
Targets - all martial arts practitioners require a target to practice their techniques on. Objects such as punching bags and the Japanese makiwara are used for this purpose. Dummies, usually made of wood, are also used to partner in a martial arts practice fight. Targets help to develop the skills of people practicing martial arts and are essential equipment for any practitioner.
Dojo and dojo mats - a dojo refers to the training area for Japanese martial arts. The dojo must be kept clean and neat by the students and each dojo has certain specific rituals and objects. Dojo mats are mats that are used in the dojo and the students train on them. Dojo mats emphasize the fact that shoes are not permitted within the sacred dojo.
Hojo Undo
Martial arts require practice and patience. Hojo undo was developed to give students of martial arts a way of developing strength, coordination, power and reflexes. A set of simple exercises, hojo undo requires basic objects, usually made from wood or stone, for training and is used by a number of different martial arts.
' Chi shi
Solid weights fastened to a wooden rod, chi shi is an object that is used to increase the strength of the arms, hands, fingers as well as the chest. The usual way of using chi shi is to hold the rod and move the wrist and arms in a specific manner.
' Ishi sashi
These are also weights but made of stone and shaped like a padlock. They are usually held by hand.
' Makiage kigu
Another type of weight used to strengthen the wrists, makiage kigu, is a wrist roller with a weight hanging at the bottom of a rope attached to wooden pole. The correct method of using this tool is to hold the handle and twist it to wrap the rope around the center and simultaneously to lift and lower the handle.
' Makiwara
Makiwara is a striking board and is used for practice in many types of martial arts. There are two different types of striking boards, sage makiwara, which is suspended from the ceiling and tachi makiwara, a flat or round board attached to the ground. This tool is an excellent one for practicing various martial arts techniques.
' Nigiri game
This is an interesting tool designed to strengthen the arms, legs, back and shoulders. Several ceramic jars held around a lipped rim are filled with sand and each differs in weight. The martial arts student practices various movements while holding these jars.
' Tetsu geta
Clogs made of heavy iron, these are held tightly with the toes and kicks are practiced. This tool increases the strength and power in the legs.
' Yari bako
A bowl full of sand, yari bako is used for strengthening the fingers. This is done by striking the fingers into the sand in the bowl.
Martial arts also sometimes require the use of certain weapons. Some of these are listed below:
Knives, swords, sickles and daggers
Bow and arrow
Sticks staffs and clubs
Spears and foils
Whips
Darts
Shields
Martial arts basically require only the power and strength of the body but the equipment that is used is to enhance this power and to develop the muscles and strength necessary to continue the practice of these techniques. It is very important that all students of martial arts realize the importance of the equipments used for this process.
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