I originally planned on writing three different blogs, one of each of the myths listed above. But I quickly realized I was writing all the same information to explain each of them. Hence why I’ve condensed them into one blog post. At first glance, this may seem confusing as the first two are polar opposites of each other. I’ll explain this later in this blog.

Let’s say you have never trained in martial arts. You may even know nothing about martial arts beyond thinking martial artists just yell “Hi-Ya!” while breaking a board. Maybe you’ve recently been attacked and found out that the “rage you would destroy enemies with if they mistakenly messed with you” decided to go on vacation the day you needed it. Now, you’re walking down a street full of martial arts studios.

Every style on the planet is on this street. Karate, Kung-Fu, Taekwondo, Judo, Hapkido, Aikido, even the elusive Flying drunken sea monkey fist is on this street! You’re overwhelmed! What do you choose? Which one is the best? Which one teaches you to be the unstoppable warrior you’ve dreamed of?

Presented with all of these choices, and told to choose just one, what do you choose? For many people, especially in smaller towns and cities, there just aren’t that many options. You go to the one that’s closest or the one you can afford. Then you either love it and conclude that all other styles are worthless, and your style is the one true style. Or you hate it and believe all styles are terrible based on this one experience.

Most readers by now will know what I’m about to say, but I have to say it. It’s more about the instructor and student than the style. That’s not to say that the style means nothing or that all styles are exactly the same. As I’ve noted in previous blogs, you can categorize things easier if you place them into sport, traditional, and reality-based styles. But at the end of the day, if the instructor isn’t good at what they do, or just doesn’t connect with you, it won’t likely be a good experience.

With that said, what are the differences in styles? Or is it all the same?

This is where things get tricky. Some styles can be considered opposites of each other. Yet, these opposing styles may still teach the same material. Add in the fact that every style is potentially evolving and taking elements from other styles, and it may start to seem like it’s all the same. I think the best way I can explain how styles can be very different yet the same, is to explain two of the arts I train in the most. Taekwondo and Hapkido.

When a new student comes in and tries out classes and asks what the difference is between the two arts, I explain as follows. Both my Taekwondo program and Hapkido program share a considerable amount of the same techniques. I teach kicks and strikes in my Hapkido program and I teach grappling in my Taekwondo program. The difference is in the philosophy of when we use each technique.

In Taekwondo we will use grappling as a way to set up our kicks and strikes or as a last option when all else has failed. In Hapkido, we use kicks and strikes to enter close enough or to soften up an opponent to grapple. The techniques are largely the same. The time and reason for their use are opposite. This holds true with so many styles of martial arts.

I’ve had the pleasure of training with great instructors of many different arts over the years. Karate, Judo, Aikido, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Traditional Jujutsu, Brazilian Jiujitsu, Sambo, Filipino stick and knife, Jeet Koon Do, as well as some reality-based styles that have no ranks or stylistic names. One thing I learned is that a kick is a kick, and a punch is a punch. A vital area in one style is a vital area in all styles. A joint lock and neck restraint/choke hold is also the same. Sweeps, weapons, throws, etc. are all virtually the same.

Martial arts on a fighting level are just a study of body mechanics and anatomy. And generally speaking, we all have the same bodies. Where the biggest differences come in is philosophy of applying technique, philosophy of training, and culture. Understand that many martial arts were influenced by other martial arts. Some Korean arts were influenced by some Japanese arts. Some Japanese arts were influenced by Okinawan arts. Okinawan arts were influenced by Chinese arts. Chinese arts were influenced by Indian arts. Indian arts influenced by African arts. Not all, but you get the idea.

There’s a misconception that each art only focuses on one or two things. For instance, Karate does strikes and some kicks but never grapples. Or Taekwondo only does Kicking and never uses punches let alone any grappling. Or that Hapkido only does standing joint locks. This is just what they are known for that separates them from other arts. But every one of these self-defense arts cover nearly all of the basics of self-defense.

Sport arts on the other hand do tend to focus only on one or two elements as that is how their sport is done. Judo and BJJ don’t need to do much kicking and striking as that’s not allowed in their competitions. Working kicking and striking for these arts takes time away from what they need to win a competition. Yet, even with some studios that focus on these arts, I’ve known some to work on extra techniques for self-defense preparation. It just all depends on the focus of the school, instructor, and student’s needs.

Throughout history, styles have evolved and developed and even splintered. Some of the styles from 100 years ago were more in contrast to other styles. But with the world getting smaller through technology (books, internet, travel, etc.), many styles have taken techniques and ideas from other styles. It’s my opinion that the more time that passes, the more all these styles will look more and more similar technique-wise.

Knowing that techniques are very similar, if not exactly the same, how should one choose what style to train in? Knowing that the philosophy of technique is different, ask yourself where your strengths and comfort are. Some people are comfortable being very close and grabbing, others feel more like staying at a distance. Some just want a good exercise, some self-defense, some sport, others a lifestyle. The most important thing is to have trust with your instructor and express your needs of what you want to get out of your training.

I’ve stated this before, but it bears repeating. When it comes to self-defense, there are just a few things that need to be done. Learn how to take a hit, learn how to deliver a hit as safely as possible, and experience doing both while the Sympathetic Nervous System is active (fight, flight, freeze). Proper sparring can help with this SNS activation early on, as well as competitions and stress testing. Nearly every self-defense style applies these in some form or another. Everything else is just helping increase the percentage of success in physical altercations by improving the above mentioned.