Martial Arts

Archive for December, 2008

Martial arts is gaining popularity among people of all ages. One key reason could be that learning martial arts can open one to many key benefits. One of the top benefits of martial arts training is that you have learnt the art of defending yourself.

Self Defense

For most people, this is the most popular reason why people learn martial arts. When you learn how you could defend yourself and your family, this could be your best investment to come especially in today’s violent times.

Of course you must remember that martial arts as portrayed in movies like Charlie’s Angel etc, is filled with dramatization and in real life, martial arts is not just about jumping, kicking etc. It is a combination of mind and body control which can be mastered after years of dedicated practice and devotion to the art.

Physical Health

Of the many benefits of martial arts, maintenance of physical fitness is another benefit for which people learn and practice martial arts. Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu are some of the martial arts styles which are excellent for cardio fitness as well as improving the muscular system of the body.

These exercises are useful for strength building as the several movements involved in martial arts training but may not be as effective as workouts with weight lifting. Since martial arts training makes you learn the effective use of strength, these exercises definitely improve your overall body stamina and power. The other important benefit of martial arts is that the exercises help in improving the body’s flexibility.

This is because martial arts training works with the entire range of body motions. Martial arts styles like tae kwon do, Thai kickboxing as well as some schools of karate and kung fu uses high kicks which helps in the improvement of balance and sense of coordination as well.

Mental Health

One other benefit of martial arts which one can never get in any other form of physical sports or activity is the improvement of mental and sometimes spiritual faculties. Mind control is one of the key elements of martial arts training and it helps the practitioner by enabling him to control several emotions like anger, fear, anxiety etc.

A few martial artists even find mental peace through the practice of this art. If you consider modern life with its due share of stress and anxiety which envelop most of us, developing such mental skills can help us get natural relief from many stressful situations as we are better equipped with stronger stress management tools. Being a thoroughly engaging activity, martial arts can make us forget most of the daily worries and tensions and you could emerge a fresh, energized and enthusiastic person after a martial arts training session.

Self Confidence

Another good thing that come from learning martial arts is the gradual build up of self confidence and stamina. Since the art has to be learnt in slow and steady steps, you get the feeling of accomplishment and pride as you move on from one step to another. This aspect of the benefits of martial arts is especially applicable for children who are shy and reticent.

Martial arts training could bring out the best in such children as they grow up to be self-confident adults through the many changes which these training sessions bring forth. Of course it can improve the levels of self confidence in adults too.

This art also teaches you how to face the several challenges in life, be it mental or physical with greater fortitude and lesser fear and apprehension. One other benefit of martial arts is that it induces a tremendous sense of discipline in the practicing individual.

Martial arts has been the basic foundation to for millions of people over the years. This success has also been repeated again and again over thousands of years. The martial arts (MA) or martial sciences (MS) as some people like to call them have assisted both young and old. It has helped males and females from all walks of life all over the world. Yet it is not used nearly as much as it should be here in the United States. The MA are far more than kicks and punches. The MA are not about cage matches or winning a trophy. Martial arts it is not about rank or position it is about personal development and basic self development. This is a development that reaches out on several levels, mental, physical, and spiritual. Please understand that when I say spiritual I am not talking about spiritual as in Catholic, Muslim, and Jewish etc. The MA is one thing that will work with most religions and will not interfere with any believe. When I am talking about spiritual I am referring to a persons inner spirit. The martial art has a way of centering people it has a way of helping those who are open to the martial arts a balance and positive base.

On the physical level we now live in a world with an over 85 percent over weight problem. The fitness levels of the average man, woman and/or child today are poor. This is a problem that MA could very easily address. This could be a great benefit to the overall health and fitness of all who start on a path with a strong base in the MA. There have been long histories of people who enter in to the martial arts who have had poor grades in schools that have gotten better and continue to improve.

The traditional MA as a whole can be the key to many levels of success. Just imagine who the MA could do for you and yours. Yes I am also referring to family and friends.

MA instructors are professionals.

You might think that you do not need to learn martial arts in this day and age. Since everybody is strapped nowadays, your 540-degree-reverse-roundhouse-kick can easily be countered by a pull of a trigger. However, learning a martial art skill is more than just defending oneself in a physical confrontation.

Here are some benefits of learning martial arts:

It helps you get physically and mentally fit. It can help relieve stress. It helps you become more focus. It promotes self-awareness and discipline. It teaches you more about yourself.

Martial Arts training can also change the way you think. It depends on a person, but usually, no matter how big or strong you are; chances are you intimidated by someone. We all fear the unknown, since we might encounter someone who is bigger, stronger, faster or more dangerous than us, we fear that “imaginary” person. Facing our fears is one of the most beneficial lessons in martial arts.

The late Bruce Lee has always said that being honest with oneself is really a hard thing to do. A lot of people have too many excuses for taking up martial arts. Contrary to popular notion, martial arts is actually for everyone, no matter what your gender is, how old you are, how fit you are, how flexible you are, how busy you might be, or whatever your excuse might be; believe it or not, training in martial arts is actually the answer to all your excuses – see benefits. I’ve seen a blind person reach blackbelt; there’s the one-armed swordsman; mentally-challenged kids in martial arts tournaments, the only question is – What’s your excuse? As my mom always say, “There’s always an excuse for not doing something we don’t like to do.”

One of the reasons why people stop doing workouts and exercises is that they can’t seem to find a good reason why to continue. Losing weight is already hard enough; temptations outside the gym are making it worse. There is also no practicality in spending dollars on gym fees while you only learn there is to lift weights and stay on a strict diet.

Now, there are other ways to keep you lean and mean while giving you practical advantages, What I’m talking about is martial arts.

This art form was made to protect one self. It was born after the need of survival rose. It was created to overcome the disadvantage that situation presents to a person. Example, Muay Thai was developed in Thailand to fight against the bandits who had weapons. In the past, martial arts were taught in a secret. It was because of its deadly nature and the misconception of most people. However, in the present times, dojos who teach these martial arts always instill to their students about responsibility of their actions.

By practicing you’ll not only teach yourself on how to defend from muggers and the likes, you’ll also lose weight, Martial art has rigorous training that will sure to sweat you out. Their training will surely convert your fats tom muscles! They do this because of the importance of having hard muscles to protect your self. Some martial arts also focus on how flexible you are.

Punching and kicking may sound cool but dodging attacks and evading those punches and kicks are better. To make yourself flexible, exercises are done to tone your body to the right size. Also by practicing martial arts, discipline and responsibility are instilled in you. Not only will your body become strong, but also your spirit will.

A martial artist however should be dedicated to his art. It is harder than hitting the gym but is more rewarding and fruitful.