Okay, here we go:

Airbending - Ba Gua
Earthbending - Hung Gar Kung Fu
Waterbending - Tai Chi
Firebending - Northern Shaolin Kung Fu

It was something like that I guess...lol. I learn Martial Arts so I know some of the moves! But that doesn't mean it's bending...;D I do see lots of old folks here doing Tai Chi every morning in the park...they say it "refreshes" the soul or something. I don't really understand what they talk about anyway.

This is one thing I wanted to bring up also. You know how each of the arts is based off of styles and moves from them, should peopl who are benders who choose to fight without bending follow that martial art? For example. a waterbender runs out of water, wouldn't they fight more like a person who a Tai Chi practitioner than anything else. That would be more accurate in my opinion.

Here is an example of what i mean.

Hung Gar is an adaptation of the Shaolin Tiger system, and stresses close-quarter fighting methods. This system was totally unlike the far-ranging jumping styles of the North, but it was extremely effective for combat in the confining alleys of China during the Ch'ing dynasty. In Hong Kong, Hung Gar artists consider a half hour in a strong horse stance adequate for daily exercise, in addition to powerful boxing and weapons sets.

So I would presume an Earthbender could do better right in front of an opponent and real close.

The present system, known as Northern Shaolin, specializes in long-range fighting techniques. Based on some of the original temple boxing heritage, the proponents of this system maintain that kicks are more effective than hand movements because the legs obviously are longer than the arms.

While Northern Shaolin on the other hand specializes in long range far-away tactics.

Interwesting. Of course, that's academic to my own characters who basically are the antibenders. Good to know. Where could I look these styles, for the record?

Soild thesis in any case...

Just google the names of the styles or go to a site I know called shaolinwolf.com and go to Martial arts guide.

Yes, I supposed so. But that would go totally out of point already if they really don't use their elements and add it on with the bending originations.

Hey guys whats up!
I practice Tai Chi, Shaolin, and Bagua (but my primary style is Chen Tai Chi)! That is probably the reason why I can relate to this show so much, it's great seeing them do all these moves that I have learned.
When you're learning Tai Chi they will tell you things like imagine like you're fully submerged in water that's how the movements should mostly look. Or imagine that you're pushing air with each of your movements, if you cut the air or break the air, it is not a good movement, you are aiming for pushing it and pulling it. The only fast movements in Tai Chi are for actual combat or the "cannon fist" form which is very advanced. So the developers definately stay true to the actual arts, even by adding in the elements.
This is one of my favorite videos of Chen Tai Chi (modern day water bending!). I thought you guys might like it.
qigong.282.hk/ok06.wmv

Hey thats cool, I myself have practiced Karate and Choy Li Fut, so more power to ya.

My friend's a black belt Karate and I really envy her for that! My parents say that all these stuff is too 'rough' for girls and blah and blah. SO annoying.

thats awesome i would love to learn the movements they do on avatar. I'm an earthbender and I think thats sweet. I already know some kung fu and taekwondo.

I saw that show thing on turbonick too. It's very interesting. O Etsuko, thats really that's cool. It'd be so awsome to be able to do firebending moves. Hey Etsuko what bending moves can you do?

Pretty good stuff on that shaolinwolf site. i myself am a 2nd degree black in tae kwon do, but personally don't like the style. it has given me good kick balance, but won't hold up in a fight. i've recently started northern shaolin and it stays true to the show aswell, its so aggressive it doesn't even give your opponent a chance to think. My mom practices tai chi, i sat in on one of her sessions, the arm movements are so flowing, just like water.