1. Luis Alfredo Villafranca

2. Introduction
The martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practices.
They are practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense,
competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental, physical,
and spiritual development.
The term martial art has become heavily associated with the fighting arts
of eastern Asia, but was originally used in regard to the combat
systems of Europe as early as the 1550s. An English fencing manual
of 1639 used the term in reference specifically to the "Science and
Art" of swordplay. The term is ultimately derived from Latin, and
means "Arts of Mars," where Mars is the Roman god of war.[1] Some
martial arts are considered 'traditional' and are tied to an ethnic,
cultural or religious background, while others are modern systems
developed either by a founder or an association.

3. In the first place to start who are the martial arts?
Also known as fighting systems, practices and traditions consist aimed submit or defend
using the technique. There are several styles and schools of martial arts that usually
preclude the use of firearms and other modern weapons. What sets martial arts
bellicosity mere physical violence (street fights) is the organization of their techniques
in a coherent and effective coding methods.
For example currently practiced martial arts for different reasons, including
health, personal protection, personal development, mental discipline, forge the
character and self-confidence. Furthermore, since the strict meaning is "military
arts", by extension applies to all kinds of shaped grappling arts and military history.
By partnering with the fight and weapons, including knowledge of systems that have
traditionally been considered different sports

4. Secondly a general classification divides martial arts Unarmed systems and weapons
systems.
Most martial arts specialize in one type of weapon or a type of bare hand techniques
(unarmed), but some are declared complete systems with and without weapons (eg
most of the classical martial arts of China as kung fu Shaolin Taoist or styles, and
some Japanese martial arts such as Ninjutsu).
Weapons systems as main weapons include:
• the arc
• the spear
• the sword
The rods of different lengths, thicknesses and materials
and there are many secondary weapons such as chains, maces, axes, knives, ...
The techniques developed in unarmed systems can include punches, open hand strikes,
kicks, grappling, locks, chokes, projections and construction, and can address the
existence of armor.
Furthermore A common procedure consists in practice training of a group of chained
techniques in a series. It is known as structure, or, more popularly, form (kata,
poomse, chuan tao, kuen, tao lu, hyung or tuls). The practice of forms is a method of
learning and technical training with a specific application.
Another training system is to fight simulated exercises with a partner or in pairs (sparring,
randori, kumite, tui shou shou rou, chi sao, san shou) who train in fighting techniques
with a partner and with the aim to learn, unlike combat or competition, in which the
goal is victory.

5. Next, I’m convinced that benefits of martial arts in health. Looking for the perfect balance
between physical and mental harmony improvement, the best option is martial arts.
Martial arts and their benefits:
• The Eastern arts pose the ultimate expression of a perfect balance between physical
exercise and mental.
• Martial arts improve fitness and health, so it is recommended for everyone, regardless
of sex or age, provided there are no injuries or diseases that contraindicate explicitly,
what you will tell your doctor or trainer to communicate its intentions when starting in
practice in some of them.
• Practicing martial arts helps you burn calories while you get rid of stress.
• The muscle groups that benefit most are:
"The legs and buttocks.
"In addition to the pelvic area, where he earns a lot of flexibility.
"In the same way is improved back problems.
The only contraindication is for people who suffer from severe joint injuries.

6. Conclusion
To summarize, the martial arts are an ancient art that with the passing of the years has
spread worldwide and ah been useful for self-defense and health.
The victory and trophies are not the most important reasons for the practice, only prove
the superiority of one man over another man. In the soul of the practitioner there is no
opponent, he looks just like a friend by his attack and defense helps us to perfect
technically and mentally.
No teaching involves the practitioner to be aggressive, as the goal is not to hit the enemy.
Although martial arts grew armies and battles.
Try to teach martial arts to look inside himself, we shape the personality and the correct
use of vital energy (chi). Chi is the energy that we all possess, is in the air we
breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink, is really all Chi, even our thoughts
are filled with Chi. The martial artist meditates and develop their mental abilities
coming to transcend the mind.

7. "We are together' can make us strong, 'alone', we will be
consumed by the weak".