Bo Kimly's Martial Arts Alliance, Inc.

Ju-Jutsu
(Japanese) means "soft art," and is the oldest, original system of martial arts from Japan. There are many different styles but most have common techniques of kicking, punching, blocks, throws, take-downs, joint-locks, and ground-fighting. Though it is primarily for self-defense purposes, it is also good exercise. Ju-Jutsu training focuses on defending yourself against various kinds of attacks, like chokes, hook-punches, kicks, attacks with sticks, attacks with knives, and many others. Differences of some the styles can be, for example, putting more priority on take-downs or ground-fighting. There are also some different Ju-Jutsu federations holding tournaments with various kinds of rules. Ju-Jutsu is now represented in the World Games.

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Karate
(Okinawan and Japanese) means "empty hand." Karate is an exercise and competition sport in the Olympic Games. There are many different styles and they all have common techniques of (mostly) kicking, punching, and blocks in sparring (kumite) and practice different forms (kata). In addition, many Karate schools teach forms with different weapons (old farming tools). The training in most Karate schools is focused toward tournaments. The tournament rules in sparring are to lightly touch your opponent from the waist up with a kick or a punch so that you score a point. There are also full contact tournaments. In forms the judges watch and give scores for the best performer.

Judo
(Japanese), which means "the soft way", originated from Ju-Jutsu and was created in 1882 by Jigaro Kano. Since 1964 it has been an Olympic sport. Composed of mostly throws and ground-fighting, the training in most Judo schools is focused toward tournaments, and the goal in tournaments is to throw your opponent on his back, or lock or choke him up to submission on the mat.

Aikido
(Japanese), which means "the way of universal power", originated from Ju-Jutsu and was created in 1932 by Morihei Uesiba. There are only a few different styles of Aikido and most utilize take-downs, joint-locks and some throws. Training is typically two people working together to execute a defense against an attacker in a floating, harmonious, round, and soft motion, using technique instead of force. Aikido also has a transcendental approach and shows the "way" towards greater spiritual maturity.

Kung-fu
(Chinese) is a generic term for exercise or the original name, Wu-shu, which means "martial arts." Kung-fu is probably around 3,000 years old and there are many different styles. They all have common practices of mostly kicking, punching, and blocks in different forms, but also involve some sparring. In addition, many Kung-Fu schools teach forms with different kinds of weapons (swords and spears for example). Most styles practice their techniques in a floating, harmonious, round, and soft motion to mimic the moves of different types of animals.

Tai-Chi
Tai-Chi (Chinese) has a few different styles. They practice punching and blocks in a slow paced form.

Tae-Kwon-Do
(Korean) means "the way of the foot and hand." Tae-Kwon-Do is an exercise and competition sport in the Olympic Games. There are some different styles and they all have common practices of mostly high kicks, punching, and blocks in sparring, but also have different forms. The practicing in most Tae-Kwon-Do schools is focused toward tournament, and the tournament rules in sparring are to kick and punch your competitor from the waist up full contact (no punches to the head) so that the opponent steps back, and you score a point.

Tai-Boxing
(Thailand) is a full contact sport in a boxing-ring using kicks, knees, elbows, and punches from the knee and up.

Kick-Boxing
(USA) is a full contact sport in a boxing-ring using kicks and punches from the waist and up.