by Joshua Peacock

Created on: November 03, 2009

Everyone studies his or her own martial art, and there are as many martial arts styles as there are people. However, a few stick out as the more common subject of study amongst the people in the world. Here are a few of the really popular ones:

1.) Taekwondo. Taekwondo literally means "Way fo the hands and feet" and is a Korean martial art focusing mostly on flashy, dynamic kicks. It is believed to be developed from Shotokan Karate and Taekkyon. It is an olympic sport, and the most popular martial art in the entire world.

2.) Shotokan Karate. Shotokan is not only the most practiced Karate styles, it is also one of the most widely practiced martial arts. Shotokan was created by the legendary Gichin Funakoshi, based on the Okinawan style of Shorin-ryu, is a style with dynamic kicks, punches and deep, strong stances.

3.) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Also called and originally known as Gracie Jiu Jitsu, this is a ground fighting style based from Judo made popular by the Gracie family in america through the UFC. It has quickly become one of the fatest growing martial arts in the world, both in evolution as an art and in popularity. It is heavily included in mixed martial arts competition, especially the UFC.

4.) Wing Chun Kung fu. This is the most widely studied of the Chinese kung fu styles, which was made popular as the first martial art studied by the legend Bruce Lee. It is a quick, close quarters, straight forward martial art that was designed by a woman, so that anyone of any gender and size could use it to effectively defend themselves.

5.) Tai Chi. Also spelt "Taiji", this is a slow,flowing martial art style that has also become an extremely popular method of exercise of the weak, old, strong and young a like. Although this martial art seems timid, in China, Tai Chi practice can actually be rough, showing its primary use as a self defense system.

6.) Judo. Judo is a martial art of throwing and ground techniques which was designed from Japanese Jujutsu by the legendary Jigaro Kano, who also created and first used the keikogi uniform and belt ranking system. Judo is extremely popular throughout the world, and is also an Olympic sport.

7.) Muay Thai. Since the boom of MMA, Muay Thai kickboxing - or any style of kickboxing for that matter - has become immensely popular. Muay Thai combined with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most sought after pairs in the martial arts world.

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