Welcome to shorin-ryu.co.uk, the best place to search for any information that you need on martial arts. A martial are is a fighting system who set up is different bodies and practice the art of combat but the fighting art is normally unarmed, without guns or other modern weapons. There are many reasons why people study martial arts today and one of the main reasons is as a sport to keep fit. Martial art can also be used to help with meditation, self defence and personal development. The history of martial arts dates back many centuries and the skills were passed down through the generation in the villages and ethnic groups. The various martial arts have developed over time due to the spread of communication and travel.