The Martial Arts of Avatar
The awesome Martial Arts scenes that you see in Avatar the Last Airbender are taken from real life Martial Arts, The animation and the depth that the creators went into the study of each of these Martial Arts scenes was truly extraordinary. Below find out more information about each of the different types of Bending/Martial Arts.
Learn The Martial Arts of Avatar The Last Airbender for yourself!
Waterbending
Waterbending Master
Martial Arts Form: Tai Chi
Water Nation Symbol
Tai Chi is a primarily non-violent form of Martial Arts (although it can be used for self defense and combat just as well as any other Martial Art), Tai Chi means “Incredible Energy” And is used modernly as a way to excercise every part of the body from the core and promotes health, vitality, and strength.” I think Tai Chi was an excellent choice for Water benders as it is more of a Defensive type of Martial Arts which promotes healing and regrowth, which are both big themes that the Waterbending Nations were trying to promote throughout the show.
A Modern form of Tai Chi
Firebending
Martial Arts Form: Northern Shaolin
Fire Nation Symbol
Northern Shaolin is an aggressive form of Martial Arts where the you push the
Fire Nation Master
energy through your body in explosive movements and imagine sending the attack for many miles behind your opponent (a common technique which other Martial Arts use as well).” Norther Shaolin was probably chosen for firebending because of it’s intense and extravagant moves.
Zuko Northern Shaolin Skills
Earth Bending
Earth Nation Symbol
Martial Arts Form: Hung Gar
Earth Bender
The main theme behind Hung Gar is that it is dependent on a strong and firm stance.” The word Hung Gar means “to stand firm and tall with integrity” The art also emphasizes fluid movement between the different strong types of stances which really fits well with Avatar The Last Airbenders take on Hung Gar for Earth Bending.” Hung Gar is also practiced Blind which is a cool tie in for Toph.
Airbending
Martial Arts Form: Ba Gua Zhang
Airbending Master
Air Nation Symbol
Ba Gua Zhang is similar to Tai Chi in that it is internal, but it focuses on following the movements of different types of animals, including: Lion, Snake, Bear, Dragon, Phoenix, Rooster, Qilin, and Monkey.” Training for Ba Gua Zhang is taught with long circular motions designed to allow the student to learn how to move without taking his eyes off his opponent and also ways to quickly get behind and opponent.” You might notice throughout the course of the show Aang constantly moves in circles, this is because of Airbendings roots in Ba Gua Zhang.
Aang began as a Master Air Bender before he mastered all four elements
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Neat list, although Toph does not practice Hung Gar, but rather her own style, based on Southern Praying Mantis (Chu Gar)
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Interesting, I did not know that! Thanks for letting me know, i’ll add it to the site (I’ll be doing character profiles pretty soon as well).
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i am thinking about magic and goodness and friendship.
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Toph’s style is different because she learned directly from the badger moles as well (just another tidbit).
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Admin / Jordash Reply:March 15th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Yeah that’s correct, I believe that the style Toph learned / developed from the Badger Moles was based off of the real world Southern Praying Mantis Style (Chu Gar) that @ingjald mentioned.
Thanks for the information
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I wish to learn these particular martial arts used in Avatar: the Last Airbender. Does someone know who can teach me these? Even if I have to find the real martial artists who helped in making the tv show and the movies. Please help me!
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Admin / Jordash Reply:April 11th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Hey,
I’m currently learning Tai Chi (Waterbending)
You can find some training materials here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1886969647?ie=UTF8&tag=thebestfreega-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1886969647
and here is a DVD
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KRCDRK?ie=UTF8&tag=thebestfreega-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001KRCDRK
Tai Chi is a good martial arts to start with because it is practiced at a slower pace, is great for beginners, and can later be used and applied to several Martial Arts.
I’m not sure about the other martial arts or where to find a personal trainer, but I think DVD’s and Books work fairly well. It’s very healthy and good exercise as well. Plus it’s fun to model stuff after Avatar The Last Airbender
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Ihad no idea thats how troph learned how to earthbend. thanks for the info:)
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Admin / Jordash Reply:April 26th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Sure thing
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I LOVE AANG
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That’s kind of cool to know
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Another Tidbit for you. The Original forms and some Agni Kai stuff was Northern Shaolin (Traditional Firebending) but most of the characters (besides Azula and Iroh) opted for a more modern form of firebending that the M.A. advisor for the show based a lot on TaeKwonDo (Particularly TKD Sparring).
-TKD instructor
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That’s really cool! I recently tried Tai Chi and discovered I might not have the patience for it. I figured it would have been for water bending because of the soft, flowey movements. I’m going to give it another try though because it’s really interesting. And I like pretending I’m bending water :]
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