Mumbai's fascination with martial arts began with a certain Jun Fan Lee. He, of the Enter the Dragon fame. But, before he had finished with Fists of Fury, the world was hooked on to his art.
Mumbai's fascination with martial arts began with a certain Jun Fan Lee. He, of the Enter the Dragon fame. But, before he had finished with Fists of Fury, the world was hooked on to his art. We're talking about Bruce Lee and his enduring martial arts legacy.
For years, martial arts stuck around, predominantly practised as a form of self-defense. In recent times, it has been reinvented as a combination of self-defense and fitness regime. This dual approach has sparked off a new trend. Instead of making a mere body-toning trip to the gym, people are now heading for the many new martial arts academies sprouting in the city.
"People are opting for martial arts because it teaches them self-defense and keeps them fit," says Mehul Vora, instructor at Mehul Vora's Xtreme Martial Arts Studio. Such studios have become a big draw for women, too. Says Zeenat Mistry, who's learning Karate at the Academy of Martial Arts: "All women need to learn martial arts. Why depend on someone else to take care of you when you can do it yourself?"
Women seem to prefer Krav Maga, Karate, Judo and Capoeira. "I took up Capoeira because it has the right mix of music, dance and martial arts. It is a cultural experience and a stress-buster," says Aparna Roy, who's been a Capoeirist for two years.
Capoeira, the Brazilian martial art, is quite unlike any other. Says Reza Massah: who teaches the form, "Defense doesn't require us to start using the fist. We need to use our brains as well. Capoeira operates by distracting the opponent."
Newer martial art forms, kickboxing being one, are soaring up the popularity charts too. Women, especially, seem to like kickboxing because it helps lose weight, improves blood circulation and increases flexibility.
Iaido, another form, is quite a hit in Bollywood. It can boast of some of the biggest names on its fan list — Shahrukh Khan, Sunny Deol, Harman Baweja, and Rahul Bhatt (Mahesh Bhatt's son). Its popularity lies in the movements — flying in the air, unusual kicks and the perfect use of the sword.
Judo and Karate may be the oldest art forms practised in the city, but they still command a steady following, particularly among school children. "Your instincts become sharper, and this helps you anticipate what the other person will do," says Pervez Mistry, principal of the Academy of Martial Arts.
Kickboxing, T'ai Chi, Kung Fu, Jujutsu, Aikido — the names may confuse you, but the art form will definitely enrich you.
Judo
Dr Jigoro Kano, aka the Father of Judo, started this art form in 1882. Judo means the gentle way, and has its origins in the ancient Japanese art of jujitsu. Jujitsu was practised by the Samurai warriors. Judo gained popularity after WWII.
Karate
Literally meaning 'empty hand', it originated in Okinawa in the 17th Century. It is a combination of Kung-fu, Shaolin and Nahate. Itosu Anko is known as the grandfather of modern Karate though Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate, is generally credited with having introduced and popularised it in Japan.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga was developed in Hungary and Czechoslovakia in the 1930s by Imi Lichtenfeld. He first taught his fighting system in Bratislava in order to help protect the Jewish community from the Nazi militia.
Iaido
Founded by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto Shigenobu, it is the second oldest martial art form in Japan. It is considered the foundation for the two major styles of iaï-do practised today: Eishin ryu and Muso shinden ryu.
Aikijujutsu
It is a Japanese martial art that first became widely known in the early 20th Century under the stewardship of Takeda Sokaku.
Capoeira
This afro-Brazilian defence art-form originated in Brazil during the 16th Century. Manuel dos Reis Machado and Vicente Ferreira Pastinha are known as its
founding fathers.
thesaturdaypaper@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}