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Vovinam

What is Vovinam?

Vovinam, also known as Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo, is a Vietnamese martial art that was founded by Nguyễn Lộc in 1938. It incorporates a wide range of techniques, including striking, grappling, throws, and joint locks. Vovinam also includes the use of traditional Vietnamese weapons.

The martial art emphasizes both physical and mental development, promoting self-discipline, respect, and self-improvement. Practitioners train to develop strength, flexibility, and agility, as well as to cultivate a sense of harmony and balance in their lives.

Vovinam is practiced worldwide and has a structured ranking system, with different colored belts indicating the practitioner's level of proficiency. It is often performed in demonstrations and competitions, showcasing its dynamic and diverse techniques.

Related Article: Introduction to Vovinam

I wanted to get to the most essential aspect of my being, and look around for a while. I wanted to explore what I am in my most basic self. I wanted to chip away at all of the nonsense I have acquired through my twenty-nine years on this earth. I wanted to find truth. Thoreau went to the woods. I went to the mats. Jiu Jitsu has peeled the veil of daily life, and has shown me what lies beyond the curtain. We willingly accept the chains that circumstance forces upon us, and we grow to find comfort in them. We attach various fetters of day-to-day living to our being, and we do so with a smile. We accept these constraints for they come in the way of comfort. We accept conformity for it appears the path of least resistance. We strive toward the middle, and we run from ourselves.
Chris Matakas

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Other Glossary terms

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Battojutsu
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Yang Style
Yang Style is one of the most popular and widely practiced styles of Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan), a traditional Chinese martial art known for its slow, flowing movements and emphasis on relaxation and balance.
Y
Foam Rollers
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Henka
Henka is a controversial and strategic maneuver used in sumo wrestling.
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Shaolin Monks
Shaolin monks are Buddhist monks associated with the Shaolin Temple, a historic monastery located in the Henan province of China.
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Vovinam
Vovinam, also known as Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo, is a Vietnamese martial art that was founded by Nguyễn Lộc in 1938. It incorporates a wide range of techniques, including striking, grappling, throws, and joint locks. Vovinam also includes the use of traditional Vietnamese weapons.
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Long Staff (Côn)
The Long Staff, or "Côn," is a traditional weapon used in various martial arts, including Vovinam, which is a Vietnamese martial art.
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Plong
In the context of the traditional Thai martial art Krabi Krabong, "plong" refers to a long wooden staff used as a weapon.
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Shaolin Kung Fu
Shaolin Kung Fu, also known as Shaolin Wushu, is a traditional Chinese martial art that originated from the Shaolin Monastery in Henan Province, China.
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Taijijian
Taijijian (太极剑), also known as Tai Chi Sword, is a traditional Chinese martial art that combines the principles and movements of Taijiquan (Tai Chi) with sword techniques
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Wing Chun
Wing Chun is a traditional Southern Chinese Kung Fu style that emphasizes close-range combat, quick strikes, and efficient movements.
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Duillian
Duillian (对练), also known as Duilian or Two-Person Sets, is a traditional training method in Chinese martial arts where two practitioners engage in pre-arranged, choreographed combat sequences.
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Suri-ashi
Suri-ashi is a fundamental footwork technique used in various Japanese martial arts, including Kendo, Iaido, and Aikido. The term "suri-ashi" translates to "sliding feet" or "gliding step."
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Kata
Kata is a fundamental component of traditional Karate and other martial arts, consisting of a series of choreographed movements and techniques performed in a specific sequence.
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Dynamic Flexibility
Dynamic flexibility refers to the ability to move a joint or muscle through its full range of motion with speed and control.
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