Judo Study for the Beginning Martial Artist.

Thinking about exercising in a brand new way? If so, you may want to think about judo study. This ancient Asian art form of fighting is not only a great way to protect yourself, but it makes for a great workout that will work most of the muscles in your body. Here are some basic things you should know in order to get started, as well as how to prepare your body for one of the most creative workouts you've ever had.

Judo is a soft form of martial arts, which means you will not have to do a lot of precise kicking or punching when it comes to defeating your opponent, but you will have to use force. You will need to be close to your enemy, and will 'grapple' with him or her until you have defeated them.

While the art is similar to aikido because it involves rounder kicks and defense techniques, you will most likely have to be face-to-face with your opponent for most of your battle. The word 'judo' is translated to mean 'the way of flexibility' so you will have to make sure that your muscles are limber and ready to move.

Juken-do is another alternate form of Judo study that you may want to consider learning about. It is a hard form of combat that comes from spear fighting and was mainly revised for modern military groups who use bayonets in combat.

While it is unlikely that you will find a Juken-do class in your area, you can read up on this art form, and watch instructional videos on the technique that will help you when you're practicing your judo methods.

In addition to your Judo practices, you may want to incorporate some form of meditation in your practices, so that you can promote discipline for all the parts of your body, as well as improve your concentration while fighting. Meditating before or after your Judo study will help you to stay focused during fighting, and will even help to improve your coordination as you continue practicing.

Yoga is also a good idea for keeping you 'centered' during practice, and will help you to improve your breathing practices so that you can reserve your strength for each battle with your opponent. For more great information on Judo and other forms of combat arts, be sure to visit www.koreanmartialartsacademy.org.