by Catalogs.com Info Guru Aurora LaJambre

There’s a wide variety of martial arts disciplines, but they all have a few important things in common.

They address physical, mental and technical skills. Practicing any one of the many arts is a stimulating way to get in shape and discover a new side of yourself.

These top styles of martial arts discipline are addictive to watch, but even better to learn.

10. Jiu-Jitsu

Another style widely taught in the west, Jiu-Jitsu incorporates elements from many other disciplines. Hard striking, choke holds, joint locks and grappling are core moves as the students’ of martial arts focus is maintaining their own center of gravity.

9. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Take the throws of traditional Jiu-jitsu and add in all sorts of ground fighting and you have Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. The emphasis here is ending the encounter fast by throwing the opponent off balance and going for the limbs. Experts have extremely strong legs and fast fists.

8. Krav Maga

Israel’s major contribution to the martial arts world is Krav Maga and it’s intense. This style compliments any workout routine with home fitness equipment. It’s for straightforward street defense and focuses on incapacitation. This is another hybrid and mixes Karate kicks with boxing punches and Jiu-Jitsu throws. It’s an unpredictable, explosive technique where the fighter defends and attacks simultaneously. Hand-eye coordination is critical.

7. Wing Chun

Hardcore fans of Bruce Lee’s action packed movies need no introduction to Wing Chun. He considered the art too slow for actual self-defense against other martial arts experts and actually invented his own version. Wing Chun involves the power of forward motion, blocking with one hand and responding with the other while continuously advancing.

6. Jeet Kune Do

Incorporating key parts of Wing Chun minus the formal style, Jueet Kune Do is Bruce Lee’s contribution. Essentially it calls for laser-like focus on the attack and your own response as any other thoughts will slow you down. It’s all about speedy strikes and low kicks.

5. Kickboxing

Kickboxing has a number of popular offshoots that are having a moment in pop culture due to the popularity of MMA fighting. One of these is Muay Thai, which means the art of eight limbs. Kickboxing is fast-paced, targets all openings and emphasizes rapid attacks before they can react. This requires you to stay on your toes so take good care of your feet.

4. Karate

Of all the styles of martial arts disciplines, karate is one of the most well known, in part due to a certain teenage boy in a certain awesome ‘80s movie. This style focuses on deflecting an attack with snap kicks and the famed chop.

3. Taekwondo

Developed in the 40s, Taekwondo comes from Korea and places a solid focus on kicking. This blends several more traditional Korean fighting disciplines and incorporates Karate and Chinese techniques. Students practice agility and speed, as well as relaxing the body between movements to conserve energy. In addition to mastering full body control, concentration and maintaining a center of balance are essential.

2. Judo

Developed in Japan in the 1880s, Judo immobilizes an opponent by taking them to the ground and pinning them, or throwing them. It’s an impressive style to watch and is used by a number of mixed martial arts fighters. Artists use their feet, hands, thrusts and quick strikes. Judo differentiates itself with an emphasis on maximum efficiency. In practice, this means evading an attack to wear an opponent out rather than throwing yourself in his path.

1. Aikido

Like many styles of martial arts discipline, aikido is easily recognized thanks to Steven Seagal, a 7th degree black belt and, more recently, The Walking Dead. When someone strikes, they always open a hole in their defense. Use this momentum against them. The most famous move involves side-stepping a punch, catching the first and twisting to throw off their balance. If you’re looking to improve your health and overall quality of life, this practice is a proven path.