How Martial Arts Improve Your Mental and Physical Health
I was recently approached by a Mary Ellen Ward about writing a guest post for my blog. I liked the article she sent me and immediately agreed to use it. Mary is an active mother of 4 who has been researching various activities of interest to and for her children, in an effort to keep them healthy in mind, body, and spirit - which of course brought her right into the field of martial arts. The many benefits of martial arts have inspired her to read, write, and learn more on the subject, and further explore the best avenues for her individual children. This is an informative article that applies directly to tai chi; I hope you get something out of it too.
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If you’ve never considered martial arts as part of your health regimen, then you’re really missing out on a great workout. Not only can martial arts be of great help to a sound body, but it can work tremendously for a sound mind as well. As you work through the various exercises, you are achieving a great picture of health and well being overall. So what is it about this ancient and yet contemporary type of exercise that is so appealing to so many? What about it works for both aspects of your health? It’s unfortunate that martial arts is often overlooked as a source of a viable workout, and here are just some of the many benefits.
Works on Balance, Flexibility, and Other Fitness Skills
What you may not realize, is that any form of martial art offers a helpful and rather comprehensive workout. As you work through the various poses, you’re practicing flexibility and stamina. Those are two aspects of fitness and well being that are often overlooked, but are very important to the big picture. Additionally you are gaining great muscle tone as you work through the various poses and exercises. This coupled with the inherent cardio exercise you’re performing throughout martial arts equals an amazing workout. You’re burning calories, gaining strength, and ultimately gaining skills and benefits, such as the flexibility, that are inherently important to your physical well being.
Gives You Great Focus and Concentration
If you feel that you need to be sharper mentally, then look no further than a good solid martial arts practice. As you practice martial arts, you quickly find that it is as much about concentration and the ability to focus as it is about the physical aspects. Another excellent aspect of martial arts is that it focuses so much on the breathing and the approach towards your target. This is fundamentally important because it forces you to focus in and use concentration, as well as physical skills, to achieve your goal. It’s a nice alternative to other workouts because it sharpens the mind just as much as the body.
Offers Up a Good Balance
Though many workouts offer a nice relief from stress and tension, martial arts is one of the best. Because you are sharpening your mind and working towards better physical fitness, you’re balancing everything at once. You’re exercising focus and concentration, which in and of itself allows you to release stress. You are getting a good full body workout which burns calories through cardio, strengthens and promotes muscle tone, and increases your flexibility. Martial arts provides the whole package and is a nice balance between mental and physical strength, both of which are important to your overall well-being.
Mary Ellen Ward writes about how to obtain an LPN to RN online. Click on this link to read more from Mary Ellen.
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Dec 12, 2009 - 05:12:52Several years ago I stopped actively practicing Shaolin-Do, a style of Shaolin martial arts presided over by Grandmaster Sin Kwang The’ of Lexington, KY. While studying this style I was taught the tai chi 24 form from that system, which is a little different from the 24 form taught by Han Jinsong of Australia, which has been showing on CCTV (Central China TV) on Dish Network. I was also taught a version of the 64 tai chi form and would like to know if any videos of that form are available. I really appreciate the encouragement that this site give me to continue to practice Tai Chi. I t is the best exercise I know of Keep up the freat work. I am at present 66 years young and hope to stay that way. Thank you very much…..Art
Art,
Thanks for the great feed back. I don’t know of anyone specifically with a 64 form video. Each master seems to put their own spin on the forms, mostly I think because we all see things a little differently.
The 24 form you’re talking about is probably the standardized form set put forth by the Chinese Government. Although you probably already know it, this form moves very differently than the traditional forms and is particularly good for people with knee and hip problems.
I am working on video quality issues and expect to have video classes available in the next few months. I will begin with a short tradition style form and will also work with the standardized 24 form set, not to mention other form sets.
John
I have been practicing Taekwondo for three years now, and I cannot tell you how much it benefited my health. To top ot off I have also been doing Pilatus for the past three months. You should try it, it makes those muscles stronger that you never even knew you had. Helps a lot for health and your martial arts style.
“The Martial Artist”,
Thanks, taekwondo is a good art and Palates is an excellent workout. What I find interesting is that you are suggesting something other than tai chi, apparently without trying it. When done properly it’s a hell of a work out. You should try it.
John
I have been following your idea of video forms for Tai Chi and sincerely hope that will come together soon. At present I am compiling the videos of the Tai Chi forms from the TV source I mentioned before and they are for my own personal use and archives. In the meantime the person who posted the comment about Taekwondo should try the Tai Chi forms and see how beneficial they are, Keep up the good work and let us know when the videos will be available… Thanks…Art
I am a martial arts instructor and I have students who are diabetic and with the physical fitness benefits - like you mention in this article - they have no longer needed to take medication to control their diabetes. This has saved them hundreds of dollars every year and has added many healthy years to their life expectancy.
My husband did Tae Kwon Do and Karate in the UK, he will probably continue doing it here.
He loved it, and actually he began doing it when he was 16 and their whole family was involved!
He wants me to join some sort of kick boxing classes for women, but i really didn’t see it happening.
This article has shown me more than just the physical fitness gains
GLND,
Good comment but I find it hard to have a conversation with someone called GNLD… I don’t mind you linking to your site, but I disabled this link because you didn’t use your name. Please use your name next time.
Thanks,
John
I think many gym goers would be much happier taking martial arts lessons and would probably stick with it longer than the treadmill.
One big feature as well is that it is fun, unlike many other forms of exercise.
Aksell,
I think your right on about the martial aspect keeping it more interesting for people than simply jumping on the treadmill. That’s what got me to stick with the style of tai chi I practice.
Thanks,
John
Cool article. I have to totally agree.
I used to compete internationally, and I have to say, when I was doing that, I was perhaps my most productive, but physically and mentally.
Since retiring, I’ve been meaning to get back training, so I can have some of the former “glory” I had… More the mental glory within myself more than than anything else…
Guess I better dust off the ole training gear and get back into it!
David
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Taekwondo Coach,
Thanks for the good comment. I would prefer to talk with a person though. What’s your name? You can still include a link to your site.
John
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