Martial arts are a complex system of individually mastered fighting techniques, with or without weapons.

Currently, the origin of martial arts is perceived as generally oriental; martial arts practitioners seek a meaning deeper than the mere training in view of physical combat. These ends are various, ranging from religious goals to the protection of perfect health. Owing to the purposes of each type of martial art, essentially they are not sports, but the competitive spirit attached to some of them and the physical training they involve determined the classification of some of them (or of their physical forms of occurrence) as sports. In fact, martial arts mean mainly the development of a higher conscience in keeping with the environment and self-control achieved by physical and mental workout, extended knowledge of medicine, oriental philosophy, technology of materials (for the use of weapons), psychology etc.

Depending on the applied strategic principles, on the role of strength, speed and initiative, martial arts fall under two main classes (schools): the external style and the internal style.

External martial arts rely on raw physical strength (brute force); the artist must be able to oppose and resist the attack, he/she must fight back. Internal martial arts rely more on flexibility and the ability to deflect the attacks; the attitude lacks tension. Even if the movements are fast, the body is relaxed and tracks the rival’s drive.

In general, internal styles are characterized by softness and elasticity, by relaxed movements, coordinated by deep and natural breathing. The body works as a whole, without engaging in any useless muscle contraction. Most of the internal style workout is performed at a slow pace, in order to improve full body coordination and in order to allow the emergence of the meditative state, where attention is paid to the being’s inner aspects.

Unlike external styles, where training begins by focusing on physical strength, on the speed attached to the performance of the fighting techniques and applications, the internal styles focus from the outset on the inner aspects, such as awareness, mind and energy or breathing. Internal martial arts progress starts from the mind and moves toward the body. While performing internal styles, all thoughts must focus on what is practiced. This is how the mind is soothed.

Benefits Attached to the Performance of Martial Arts

The physical benefits obtained following training include:

– improvement of the general physical state
– increase of flexibility,
– development of aerobic endurance,
– body strengthening,
– improvement of balance,
– body weight is maintained within normal range
– body control
– development of coordination
– increase of the reaction speed

The positive effects on a martial arts practitioner’s personality are:

– improvement of self-esteem, dignity
– control
– team spirit
– respect for the colleagues, for the trainer
– prompting communication with the people around
– prompting statement of opinions
– increase of the speed of thought
– stimulation of dynamism
– stimulation of attention to detail
– stimulation of the ability to focus

Martial Arts in Sibiu

Currently, in Sibiu, martial arts training classes for children and adults are organized under the guidance of sensei Ovidiu Bastea. He’s been practicing Martial Arts since May 5^th, 1990, under the guidance of sensei Bradu Gheorghe. He’s been a trainer in C.A.M.T.A. Sibiu since 1996, and a trainer and founding president of the Terrasportika Sports Club, in the Romanian Traditional Kyokushinkai Federation since 2011.

At the championships organized until now, the Terrasportika Sibiu Club trainees have obtained excellent results, as winners of the first places on the podium, obtaining medals and titles for the club; these performances are a proof of the significance and determination involved in training.