NAKMAS National Governing Body

Aikdo

Aikido is a Japanese grappling system developed from Ju Jitsu. The object of Aikido is to neutralise the attacker's force by moving with and redirecting it to the defender's advantage.

Counter attacks are mainly delivered to the joints especially the wrists. For this reason, the white training uniform is often quite light – it does not have to withstand the pulling and tugging that is found in activities like Judo.

There are three principal schools of Aikido and these are:

1.Traditional Aikido
2.Tomiki Aikido
3.Yoshinkan Aikido

Traditional Aikido is practised as taught by the founder of Aikido, the late Morihei Ueshiba. There is no competitive element.

Tomiki Aikido is founded on freestyle practice whereby students learn to apply techniques against resistance. It involves self defence and competition of various types.

Yoshinkan Aikido involves a lot of Ueshiba's earlier teachings and forms the basis of excellent self defence. It is a favoured system of many military and police units in Japan.

Selected Aikido clubs within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Budo / Bujitsu

Budo/Bujitsu is the military techniques of Japan. It encompassed all the activities needed by the warrior, including horse riding, swimming, archery and sword fighting. Budo is the study of the Bujitsu activities for a non-military purpose, such as improvement of the student's character.

Selected Budo/Bujitsu clubs within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Capoeira

Capoeira was created by African slaves, in Brazil, approximately 400 yrs ago as a martial art. Capoeira possesses a very unique style that brings together beauty and power, developing mental balance, physical conditioning, self-defense, music and a profound sense of art, all at once. Capoeira can be done by anyone of any age or size. More than a martial art, Capoeira is also a social event filled with tradition and history.

The one thing that stands out for someone witnessing a Capoeira game for the first time is the music. The music and lyrics play a big part in the way the game or jogo (jo-go) will be conducted. Different rhythms call for a different speed and type of game. The lyrics which are traditionally in Brazilian Portuguese, also dictate game characteristics.

The next thing that strikes observers about Capoeira is that the movements of the players are very different from any other type of martial art. A circle or roda (ho-da) is formed with the musicians at the foot of it known as the pe da roda. This is where the players usually enter the roda with a cartwheel or some other type of move. Once in the roda the players (Capoeiristas) move and interact/react in various combinations of acrobatic and poetic moves.

Capoeira has two forms, Angola (an-goal-la) and Regional (hey-zion-nal). Angola is the original form. Regional was developed much later. Angola is a much slower, lower and calculated game then Regional. It is important to note that the following information provided here is only to give a general overview of some of the differences between Angola and Regional. Many teachings and groups vary in their practices so styles, protocol and group dynamics may mix or vary completely.

Capoeira is becoming well represented within NAKMAS.

Chinese Arts

In traditional Kung Fu / Chinese Arts, there is no ladder of progression for students to measure themselves against. To accommodate the demands of westerners, however, coloured belt progressions have been established by some schools.

Training is performed in an informal manner with students encouraged to practice a certain technique or sequence under the watchful eye of a senior student. The teacher normally instructs through his senior grades. One by one, students are called forward to perform their techniques in front of the class. In westernised schools, the whole club practices in lines – similar to Karate or Taekwondo.

Kung Fu is primarily a striking system and holds are not found outside of schools specialising in them. Weapons such as the spear, trident, halberd, broadsword, butterfly knives, rice flail and quarter-sword are used.

Sparring is only practised in certain schools and then only under strict supervision. Prearranged sparring tends to be the norm.

A large number of Kung Fu clubs within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Choi Kwang-Do

Choi Kwang-Do is a martial art derived from Taekwondo created by Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi. Choi was a chief instructor for the International Taekwondo Federation from 1964 to 1978. His new style, Choi Kwang-Do, was officially inaugurated by him on March 2, 1987. With the goal of creating a safer and more effective martial art, Choi said that he formulated his new style based on bio-mechanical principles.

Choi Kwang-Do adherents say that all movements in their style follow the body's natural movement pattern, and are performed as one sequential movement. Their theory is that power is thereby increased and risk of injury is reduced. In Choi Kwang-do, martial arts competitions are viewed as counter-productive for health and self-defense purposes. Training is geared towards the stated goal of practical responses with maximum power in realistic situations.

A large number of Choi Kwang-Do clubs, groups and associations within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Escrima

Escrima is a Phillipino combat system meaning 'Skirmish'. It is known as 'Kali' or 'Arnis de Mano' ('hand-art'). Contestants use a pair of short sticks and attempt to strike each others head and body. In some styles, only one stick per competitor is used.

Escrima students wear tee-shirts and loose trousers. The sticks are held close to one end and a rhythm of movement is built up. As proficiency increases, so speed and body movement accelerate.

Selected Escrima clubs within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Etheric Boxing

Etheric boxing was formally created in 1994 by Nick McCarthy. Although a unique system it is fundamentally eclectic, as are almost all traditional styles of Kung fu. It draws from influences and qualities from all the Chinese internal martial arts (Xing Yi, Tai Chi, Ba Gua and Yi Quan) as well as Wing Chun and western boxing.

Etheric Boxing is a formally graded syllabus that allows for the individual development of each student whilst adhering to the strict requirements of the grade. This is achieved by having exclusively private one-on-one tuition.

The philosophy of the school focuses on the development of the student. Health and Safety is paramount as well as equal opportunity for all who wish to learn.

Selected Etheric clubs within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Full Contact

Full Contact is a combat sport based upon Karate, Kung Fu and Taekwondo. It is also known as 'Contact Karate' and 'Kick Boxing'.

Full Contact competition permits full power kicks and punches to the head and body and so its practice is subject to strict medical supervision. Fighters are categorised according to weight and experience. Less experienced fighters compete on Judo mats whilst top fighters compete over several rounds in a boxing ring. Uniform consists of elasticated trousers. Sometimes a karate-like jacket is worn. Normal boxing gloves are used and special padded boots cover the insteps, but not the soles of the feet.

Competition actually forms only a part of Full Contact. Most training is devoted to practice of techniques and developing fitness. A ladder of progression signified by coloured belts is used. Beginners are taught basic kicks and punches and their combinations. As the student improves she/he is taught more difficult techniques. Sparring in the training hall is often of a non, or semi-contact nature, with techniques pulled on impact to avoid injury.

Several clubs within NAKMAS teach Full Contact as part of their disciplines. A select few teach purely Full Contact

Haidong Gumdo

Description of Etheric Boxing coming shortly

Hapkido

Hapkido is a Korean martial art with similarities to Japanese Aikido. 'Hapkido' means 'The Way of Harmony of Mind and Body'.

The Hapkido syllabus teaches Aikido-type roll-outs and wrist/joint attacks. It also teaches punching, kicking and striking techniques, including the peculiarly Korean high circling kicks. Hapkido is primarily a self defence system and there are virtually no sporting connotations. Students wear lightweight tunics with the trousers often darker coloured than the jacket. In some schools, the uniform is entirely dark coloured.

Selected Hapkido clubs within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Jiu / Ju Jitsu

'Jiu (or Ju) Jitsu' means 'Compliant Techniques'. The ancient noble warriors of Japan were experts in weaponry. On occasion, it was necessary to capture rather than kill an enemy and so the martial arts were expanded to include an unarmed form of combat.

Since the warrior wore armour, striking techniques were not suitable so moves were developed which attacked the joints in that armour. These were probably influences by Chinese wrestling methods. By the nineteenth century, the unarmed system was recognised in its own right and named 'Jiu Jitsu'.

A large number of Jiu Jitsu clubs within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Judo

Judo is many things to different people. It is a fun sport, an art, a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a fitness programme, a means of self defence or combat, and a way of life. It is all of these and more.

Judo comes to us from the fighting system of feudal Japan. Founded in 1882 by Dr Jigoro Kano, Judo is a refinement of the ancient martial art of Ju Jitsu. Dr Kano, President of the University of Education, Tokyo, studied these forms and integrated what he considered to be the best of the techniques into what is now the modern sport of Judo.

Judo was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1964 and is practised by millions of people throughout the world today. People practice Judo to excel in competition, to stay in shape, to develop self defence and for many other reasons. But most of all, people do Judo just for the fun of it.

A large number of Judo clubs, groups and associations within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Karate

Karate means 'empty hand'. Sometimes referred to as 'Karate-do' or 'the way of Karate'.

Karate was developed in Okinawa where it served as a self defence against thieves and marauders. At that time it also involved the usage of weapons such as the quarterstaff and rice flails. Karate was introduced to Japan by a school teacher named Gichin Funakoshi. Other Okinawan masters followed, introducing their own styles of practice.

Modern Karate is almost entirely a striking system, using high energy kicks, punches and strikes as weapons. Persons practising Karate are known as Karateka. They wear light, white cotton tunics fastened with a coloured belt. The colours of the belt vary according to the proficiency attained. White trousers are also worn, although these are sometimes a darker colour. At regular intervals, the karateka undergoes a grading examination. The coloured belts leading to a black belt are known as kyu grades. Black belts are known as dan grades and there is a scale of proficiency between 1st Dan and 10th Dan within the Black belt itself.

Karate training consists of basic techniques, in which the class advances up and down the training hall, or 'dojo' practising a single technique. This is followed by combination techniques which are performed in a sequence. 'Kata' is the given name to an extended series of combination techniques representing symbolic defence against multiple assailants.

There are also forms of practice involving two karateka. One may perform 1, 3, or 5 serial attacking moves whilst the other will defend in a prearranged way. Alternatively, the attack may be restricted in form but spontaneous in its delivery. A third form consists of actual combat where blows are pulled in short of hard contact. This is called 'free sparring'

A large number of Karate clubs, groups and associations within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Kendo / Iiado

Kendo & Iaido with some 300 years of history are both cultural activities and traditional Sports of Japan.

Kendo together with Iaido can often be seen in sword fighting dramas and films. Now practised Worldwide they have both sportive and competitive elements relevant to the current modern society's needs, this is also very much in line with how these 'Martial Arts' have developed in Japan.

Kendo can be divided into two main aspects: Kendo Kata & Shinai Kendo.

Training with a real sword as can be imagined was very dangerous, so ways were developed to lessen the danger. One item introduced as an alternative to a real sword was the Bokuto or wooden sword and this is still used in Kendo Kata. For this type of practice practitioners don't wear armour to practice the basic moves of attack and counter attack, these same moves are also used when training in armour and using the Shinai (bamboo foil), as they represent very important parts of Kendo.

Iaido – "the Art of drawing the sword cutting and your opponent" consists of only one main aspect: Kata; singly performed and sometimes paired without wearing any kind of body armour.

In Iaido an Iaito or alloy sword is used to demonstrate technique whilst more senior practitioners use a Shinken a "real sword".

Kata also form the basis for grading in both Kendo & Iaido.

In Shinai Kendo protective body armour is worn (which are also the target areas) and the Shinai is used to learn the attack and counter attack moves, leading to free practice and competition. A valid strike must be made by a cutting action together with a synchronised shout or Kiai and full bodily coordination. The Shinai should not be used like a club or a stick, as this may hurt your opponent and is very much against the concept of Kendo.

Kendo & Iaido can be practiced safely by all and provides many benefits for those who train in these unique activities.

There are selected Kendo and Iaido clubs that operate within NAKMAS.

Kobudo

Kobudo is an old Japanese and Okinawan martial art weapon study. It uses such weapons as the rice flail ('Nunchaku'), rice grinder handles ('Tonfa'), sickles ('Kama') and composite weapons such as the Kusarigama.

Many Clubs within NAKMAS teach Kobudo along with other disciplines

Krav Maga

Krav Maga /krv m/ (Hebrew: [kav maa], lit. "contact combat") is a self-defense system developed for military in Israel and Hungary that consists of a wide combination of techniques sourced from boxing, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Judo, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and grappling, along with realistic fight training. Krav Maga is known for its focus on real-world situations and extremely efficient and brutal counter-attacks. It was derived from street-fighting skills developed by Slovakian-Israeli martial artist Imi Lichtenfeld, who made use of his training as a boxer and wrestler, as a means of defending the Jewish quarter against fascist groups in Bratislava in the mid-to-late 1930s. In the late 1940s, following his immigration to Palestine, he began to provide lessons on combat training to what was to become the IDF, who went on to develop the system that became known as Krav Maga. It has since been refined for civilian, police and military applications.

Krav Maga has a philosophy emphasizing threat neutralization, simultaneous defensive and offensive maneuvers, and aggression.[4] Krav Maga is used by Israeli Defense Forces, both regular and special forces, and several closely related variations have been developed and adopted by law enforcement and intelligence organizations, Mossad and Shin Bet.

There are affiliates within NAKMAS that teach Krav Maga.

Kung Fu

In traditional Kung Fu / Chinese Arts, there is no ladder of progression for students to measure themselves against. To accommodate the demands of westerners, however, coloured belt progressions have been established by some schools.

Training is performed in an informal manner with students encouraged to practice a certain technique or sequence under the watchful eye of a senior student. The teacher normally instructs through his senior grades. One by one, students are called forward to perform their techniques in front of the class. In westernised schools, the whole club practices in lines – similar to Karate or Taekwondo.

Kung Fu is primarily a striking system and holds are not found outside of schools specialising in them. Weapons such as the spear, trident, halberd, broadsword, butterfly knives, rice flail and quartersword are used.

Sparring is only practised in certain schools and then only under strict supervision. Prearranged sparring tends to be the norm.

A large number of Kung Fu clubs within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques, from a mixture of martial arts traditions and non-traditions, to be used in competitions. The rules allow the use of striking and grappling techniques, both while standing and on the ground. Such competitions allow martial artists of different backgrounds to compete. The term may also be used, less correctly, to describe hybrid martial arts styles.

Modern mixed martial arts competition emerged in American popular culture in 1993 with the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Initially based on finding the most effective martial arts for real unarmed combat situations, competitors of various arts were pitted against one another with minimal rules for safety. In the following decade, MMA promoters adopted many additional rules aimed at increasing safety for competitors and to promote mainstream acceptance of the sport.

A small amount of MMA clubs are represented within NAKMAS.

Ninjutsu


Ninja and Ninjutsu have a very long history indeed, with their origins to be found in Ancient China, an inheritance that was well-recognised in Medieval Japan. The first ever written recognition of the existence and importance of undercover warfare is contained in The Art of War by the Chinese Sun Tzu, who lived sometime between the sixth and fourth century BC. The Art of War is the first great military classic, and has exerted an influence on martial thinking ever since. Fundamentally, an army should attack when the enemy has become vulnerable from within. This process involves intrigue, rumour and intelligence-gathering. This process involves intelligence information gathering. Sun Tzu's account of the use of spies, in which he sketches out much of what was to become recognised as ninja-lore, forms the thirteenth chapter of his work. The character Sun Tzu uses for a spy in the title of the chapter is kan, which has the meaning of 'the space between two objects', or 'discord', an obvious reference to the ability of secret agents to cause division between allies. The same character is the first in the compound mentioned on page 11: kancho, for spy (and the less familiar kanja, with the same ending as nin-ja).

One of the best known characteristics of the superman ninja is his remarkable ability at the martial arts, a belief that was fostered from early in the Edo Period by the formation of several ryu, or schools of ninjutsu, which had their own rules, their own traditions and their own specialities. The former mercenaries of lga and Koga, for example, formalised the Iga and Koga ryu, and Nakagawa Shoshunjin had his own Nakagawa-ryu. Like all schools of martial arts during the Edo Period they were dedicated to maintaining the traditions and qualities of their craft, and also had their own means of ensuring that the secrets of the art were passed on only from master to pupil or from father to son.

The style offered by BKNF originates from the Nishida family of Koga and its art and techniques that have never been offered to westerners before. The style combines exceptional physical and mental attributes that are conducive towards a balanced every-day life.

The style has no connection what-so-ever with other ninjutsu styles and it does not maintain a violent attitude. On the contrary, it enhances self-discipline and encourages the practitioner to lead an exemplary moral life.

The group is a non-profit organisation and the style consists of seven main areas of jutsu (skill development):

* Meiso Jutsu, or concentration/meditation
* Taiso Jutsu, or warming up
* Shugendo Jutsu, or practice to overcome fear
* Tai Jutsu, or practice of unarmed combat
* Kusuri Jutsu, or the medicine practice
* Jutai Jutsu, or the practice of wrestling/grappling; and
* Ken Jutsu, or the weaponry/practice

A small amount of Ninjutsu is represented within NAKMAS

Poekolan

'Poekoelan' is an Indonesian word, which means series of blows with returning hands and feet. Like the rose, Poekoelan is beautiful yet fierce. Its graceful, dance-like style resembles water and bamboo–fluid and circular, spiralling and continuous, graceful and whiplike. Through movements inspired by the tiger, monkey, snake, and crane, we explore the dualities of soft and hard, fast and slow, small and large, fierce and playful, circular and angular, and high and low. Within this general framework, each Poekoelan practitioner is encouraged to express the art in his or her own unique way, creating a 'broken mirror' that reflects the full range of the art.

A small amount of Poekolan is represented within NAKMAS

Sooyang Do

Sooyang Do – the "way" of nurturing and maintaining mind, body and spirit, was inaugurated by Chief Instructor Mr Bruce Wood, on 19th May 2007 in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Sooyang Do is designed to enable the practitioner to enhance all aspects of physical fitness and to acquire realistic and self defence skills in a safe and friendly environment in which the overall health and well being of the student is of paramount importance and takes precedence over athletic and/or competition based performance.

Although embracing modern training methods and practice, Sooyang Do is extremely rigid in its adherence to the time honoured traditions of the Martial Arts, which is reflected in their officially adopted tenets of Courtesy, Integrity, Humility, and Respect and as such, seek to reinforce these principles within a clearly defined syllabus, which is based on a variety of forms, and drills, many of which must be executed with the use of pads and mitts. Sparring/competition is "controlled and continuous" as opposed to full contact and is limited to punches and kicks to body and head.

Sooyang Do only exists within NAKMAS in Scotland.

Taekwondo

Two forms of Taekwondo are practised in Britain. One by affiliates of the International Taekwondo Federation and the other by the World Taekwondo Federation. WTF Taekwondo has been accepted by the international Olympic Committee and the British Olympic Association.

WTF Taekwondo sport is fought by contestants wearing body armour. Full contact kicks and punches delivered with correct form to specific target areas score points. These accumulate through a number of rounds. ITF sport Taekwondo uses light contact with hands and feet protected by padded gloves and boots. In both cases the winner scores the most points.

The uniform (tobok) comprises trousers and either a wrap-over jacket or a vee neck tunic. Black belts sometimes wear black trimming on their uniforms. Levels of ability are marked by coloured belts. Below black belt these are called 'Kup' grades. Degrees of ability and experience in Black Belts are referred to as 'Dan' grades.

Training is usually practised in lines, starting with warm-up exercises and progressing to the practice of various basic techniques separately and in combination. Techniques are also practised with a partner. Free sparring develops co-ordination and speedy reflexes.

A large number of Taekwondo clubs, groups and associations within NAKMAS are currently represented.

Tang Soo Do

When the umbrella Korean Taekwondo organisation was founded in 1955, Tang Soo Do declined to affiliate and remained independent.

Tang Soo Do practice is intermediate between Taekwondo and Karate. It is a striking system using high circling kicks and strong punches. Its students wear white cotton tunics with coloured belts indicating the degree of proficiency attained. Within the black belt is a further ladder of proficiency known as the 'Dan' grades.

Class practice takes place in lines. Patterns are a development of combination techniques, representing symbolic defence against multiple imaginary attackers. There is also prearranged practice where two students perform a specific attack and response. In free sparring, blows and kicks of limited force are exchanged.

Many Tang Soo Do clubs within NAKMAS are currently represented

Thai Boxing

Thai Boxing is similar to Full Contact. Fighters wear boxing shorts and gloves. The feet are unprotected. Competitions take place in a boxing ring and several rounds are fought.

Thai Boxers are famous for their powerful, high kicks. Unlike the kicks of Karate or Taekwondo, they are performed in a straight-legged way, impacting with the shin.

At the beginning of each match, the Thai boxer puts on a ritual head band or 'Mongkon' and performs a curious symbolic dance or 'Ram May'. The form this takes is peculiar to the boxing gym in which it originates.

Selected Thai Boxing clubs within NAKMAS are currently represented