Martial Arts Styles - What's The Difference?

This is in no way intended to be a comprehensive list, but rather a short list of the styles I have spent some time researching and studying:


Tang Soo Do - This Korean form of martial arts literally translates to the "China Hand Way" where the "Tang" part is actually referring to the Tang dynasty.  Although very similar to taekwondo, there are differences in how the practice has been passed down from generation to generation.  The curriculum is built upon forms (called Hyeong), one-step sparring (specially choreographed self-defense situations following step by step detail/design), and free-sparring (many variations).

Tae Kwon Do - Also a Korean form of martial arts.  Literally translates as "the art of striking/breaking with hand or foot".  This practice is based on the rationale that the most effective weapon on the human body is the leg, with greater range and power.  Therefore, taekwondo has a significant emphasis on these attacks.  This curruculum is made up of self defense techniques, patterns (or forms/hyeong), sparring, meditation/relaxation exercises, throwing/fall-breaking techniques, and breaking (testing power, speed, and also special techniques)

Shotokan - A Japanese style of martial arts which translates roughly to "house of pine-waves" where "Shoto" describes the movement of pine needles as the wind passes through them.  Shoto was the pen-name of poet/martial arts master Funakoshi, who founded the first academy teaching this style, and his students named the dojo Shotokan, or house/hall of Shoto, in his honor.  Shotokan's studies can be split into three sections; kata (forms), kumite (sparring, or meeting of hands), and kihon (basic techniques).

Wado Ryu - Another Japanese style, which shares history with Shotokan as Hironori Otsuka, the founder of Wado Ryu, studied under Funakoshi of Shotokan.  The name translates to "the way/style of harmony" and relies on the notion that sometimes it's more effective to yield than to use brute force.  The kata of this style have very many similarities to Shotokan, but there are key differences in the execution of the movements that make Wado Ryu completely different in practice.  (YET TO POST:  I intend to create a list of the small differences/tweaks that Wado Ryu makes to Shotokan forms, and I'll link this back to here whenever I do!  Also, there are some interesting anecdotes about the development of these two styles in relation to each other.)  Wado Ryu also incorporates the idea of a "paired kata" which are similar to the self defence techniques and one-step sparring of the korean forms of martial arts. 


I still can't decide which style is my "favorite" yet; however, I do enjoy studying the strengths and weaknesses of each in comparison or in conjunction with each other. 


Some additional styles which I hope to learn more about soon:

Wing Chun
Chinese Kung Fu
Aikido
Judo
Brazilian Jujitsu
Krav Maga (Hebrew Contact Combat)
Japanese Jujutsu (also known as Ju-Jitsu)

First Post

Hello,

Thanks for coming across my blog!  I've never blogged before, but I hope to create a great archive of my favorite discoveries...  I will be posting my findings related to Music, Math, and Martial Arts.

I've been playing music all my life.  Started learning piano at the age of 4 from my mother, who is a piano teacher in Tega Cay, South Carolina.  I had listened to my father play various styles of guitar all my life as well, and when he got me a Fender Squire electric in high school, I started to learn every scale, chord, and "lick" I could wrap my head around.  My father also has a few guitar students in Tega Cay.  Now I am always striving to learn new technique and styles.  I used to perform in a band called Juniper Spring playing piano and singing.  We would cover songs from Phish, Talking Heads, The Beatles, the Grateful Dead, and many more...

I've had a lifelong interest in mathematics, and am always looking for new areas of research to discover and learn new, amazing truths.  My main interests are numerical analysis, number theory, and mathematical applications to physics.  I received my degree, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, from the University of Florida in 2008.

By far, martial arts is my favorite sport and activity.  Very few practices help you gain such incredible levels of physical fitness, self discipline, and medidation.  I have obtained second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do (or Tang Soo Do), and have also spent years studying other styles including Shotokan and Wado Ryu.  I am always eager to learn new techniques and styles from any source possible.

So this blog will be my outlet for anything I come across as I continue my education and discoveries in these fields. 

Thanks for reading!  I hope to start posting very soon...