bojutsu - though the techniques resemble empty-handed movements, this Japanese art employs a bo for thrusting, swinging and striking; the bo is considered an "extension of one's limbs."
dojo - a karate studio or place for martial arts training.
escrima - refers to a class of Filipino martial arts emphasizing the use of weapons including sticks, staffs or knives.
gi - training uniform, shortened from the Japanese, "keikogi."
jujitsu - a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling; originated in Japan, but there is also a Brazilian form.
judo - a fighting system that evolved from feudal Japan and teaches the principle of flexibility in the application of technique.
kama - traditionally used as sickle-like farming instruments in Japan, kamas may also be employed as a weapon.
karate - meaning "empty hands," this self defense system includes dynamic offensive and defensive techniques that use all parts of the body to maximum advantage. It's a style influenced by Chinese martial arts and developed by people living in Japan and Okinawa, south of Japan. Moves in this style are typically crisp with distinct stop and go motions.
kata - pre-arranged forms that simulate combat situations, part of karate training.
kenpo - translating to "law of the fist," this is a combat method that employs the use of the hands, feet, elbows and knees for blocks and strikes, plus immobilization and control tactics.
ki - a Japanese word meaning something that is unclear or undefined.
kickboxing - true roots date to Asia 2,000 years ago, but modern kickboxing started in the 1970s when American karate experts arranged competitions that allowed kicks and punches that were banned in karate.
kihon - drilling of stances, blocks, punches, strikes and kicks, part of karate training.
kobudo - the word covers all ancient martial traditions, armed or unarmed, of Okinawa or Japan, but today it specifically refers to the weapons and traditions of the Ryukyu Islands in the western Pacific.
kumite - sparring, part of karate training.
kung fu - Chinese martial arts, including a number of fighting styles that developed over the centuries, which spawned the development of karate by the Japanese and Okinawans. The styles rely on similar techniques, but kung fu usually includes more variety and more fluid, circular motions.
martial arts - all of the various systems and styles of training for combat.
mixed martial arts -- a full contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques and skills, which emerged in the early 1990s with the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Muay Thai - the national sport of Thailand, it is known as the "art of eight limbs" because it makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes.
nunchaku - a traditional Japanese weapon consisting of two sticks connected at their ends by a short chain or rope.
qigong - a practice centered around control and manipulation of qi or chi, a form of energy or life force, which many Chinese martial artists consider an important component of training.
sensei - this Japanese title refers to teachers, professors or other figures of authority; it can also mean a life-long guide who provides students with physical, mental and sometimes even spiritual training. Higher levels of teachers are called renshi or kyoshi.
tae kwon do - a versatile Korean martial art distinguished by its dynamic long-range kicking techniques.
tai chi chuan - many training forms exist but the one most familiar to Westerners involves slow motion routines; this is often practiced for health reasons.
ultimate fighting - competitions that originally pitted fighters against each other with minimal rules, designed to find the most effective martial arts for real unarmed combat situations.
wushu - meaning "martial arts" in Chinese, this also describes a modern exhibition and full-contact sport.
yin yang - a concept in Chinese philosophy that polar or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected in the natural world.