{"id":5119,"date":"2016-11-01T16:59:35","date_gmt":"2016-11-01T20:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/?p=5119"},"modified":"2024-04-03T07:15:30","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T11:15:30","slug":"are-martial-arts-the-best-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/are-martial-arts-the-best-exercise\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Martial Arts the Best Exercise?"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Dr. Mark Wiley<\/span><\/p>\n Health is more than the mere absence of disease. To truly be healthy one must been physically fit, limber, possess a full range of motion, be at a good weight, have strong cardio-vascular conditioning, possess a focused mind, be playful, and silent at time, freedom from fear, have self-confidence, and be fit. There are many diets and exercise programs, meditation and yoga practices, but individually these will not bring you to optimum health. I believe that a traditional martial arts practice does have all the elements for bringing you to optimal health. Let\u2019s look at the training of martial arts and their health benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n Because martial arts are a physical activity there is great benefit to the heart and lungs. The heart rate is elevated and then sustained for various periods of time. There is prolonged and short-duration training, exposing your body to various types of cardiovascular pressures and development. Think a marathon runner versus and sprinter versus a jogger and you will see the different ways the martial arts train the body for different duration needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most classes begin with a warm-up to get the blood pumping and the joints moving freely. This is followed by repetition of single and combined movements. Some styles include striking of targets and hanging bags, while others do dozens of repetitions of techniques which push the heart and lungs to work.<\/span><\/p>\n All of this is terrific for the lungs, the heart, sweating out toxins, and a good fight against heart disease. Some people do a kickboxing rochester mn<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n Unlike many sports and activities, martial arts by their nature place your body in so many different positions and postures. Each leg and hand is placed in the lead position and each side is worked physically so the muscles and tendons are stretched and developed.<\/span><\/p>\n The body moves in all eight directions, linear and circular, helping to create a balanced range of motion and free movement capacity. There are stretching exercises for the arms and legs and shoulder, neck and back. They are done statically at times and other times dynamically.<\/span><\/p>\n All of this helps the body release its held tension and tightness. It works through adhesion of connective tissue from too many hours\/years of sitting and moving in only very limited directions. It makes the body feel supply through the increased movement of the joints and muscles.<\/span><\/p>\n Martial art training teaches reflex control and coordination through the practice of single movement and movements requiring coordinating of arms, hands, waist and feet. There is also a timing and depth perception training when learning to apply the techniques of self-defense against a partner class.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, there are short, fast techniques and longer, slower ones and so the practitioner develops both fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle control.<\/span><\/p>\n All of this is terrific for developing controlled reflexive action, hand-eye and hand-foot coordination, muscle control, and action perception. These attributes are necessary for sustained quality of life in senior years and for improved experience of life at any age.<\/span><\/p>\n Because the body is set into stances both high and low, between two legs or balancing on one, there is strength and endurance training in the legs. The arms also move fast and slow and hard and soft, developing strength and endurance there, too.<\/span><\/p>\n The fast repetitions are akin to the HIT training, wherein high-intensity training develops a certain level of fitness, cardio and muscle burn. The longer duration exercises vary in speed develop muscle and cardiovascular endurance to keep moving at intensity over time. For those following a vegan diet, incorporating vegan protein powder<\/a> into your routine can provide essential nutrients to support muscle recovery and overall fitness.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n One of the greatest benefits of traditional martial arts is developing a meditative mind. Many arts, especially those of the Zen tradition, include zazen or seated meditation as part of every class. Others of the Taoist tradition include standing stillness exercises to quiet the mind and link the mind and body as one.<\/span><\/p>\n Arts like tai chi are a de facto moving meditation. And karate and kung-fu styles have as their base sets of \u201cforms\u201d or choreographed sequences of movements that last from a minute to 10 minutes or more to perform. The self-discipline needed to perform these form in the right sequence, at the correct tempo and cadence, and to remain focused takes deep concentration. This concentration is developed over time and via repetition and the practice of the forms becomes a form of moving meditation where thoughts stop and action leads the way; a concept known as mu-shin or \u201cno mind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Meditation, whether in stillness or movement, is a boon to health. Science has discovered that meditation reduces stress, induces relaxation, helps us process thoughts and beliefs, and builds gray brain matter.<\/span><\/p>\n There are many intangible benefits of martial arts training that are powerful sustainers of wellness. These include a release of fear through development of self-defenses skills; a raise in self-confidence, which leads to belief that you can do more and can try anything; a sense of accomplishment and identity, as being at a certain place within and accepted part of your martial art \u201cfamily\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\nCardiovascular Conditioning<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\nthat also helps improve everything from your heart health and balance to your self-esteem.
\n<\/span><\/p>\nRange of Motion and Flexibility<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Reflex Control and Coordination<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Strength and Endurance<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Mental Focus<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Intangibles<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n