Hey guys! I’ve got a really interesting guest post today about martial arts. It’s not something that I’ve ever really tried before (aside form a few token Judo lessons as a child). It sounds fascinating though, I hope you enjoy 
Stress is only something natural in us and it quite frankly comes down to how we deal with situations when we are overwhelmed with stress. I know a lot of my friends told me that martial arts actually helps them with stress and they’ve also learned how to control it. With this information I wanted to find out more about it.
I’ve been to a few kickboxing classes but never really understood the deeper knowledge of the art. Sure, a good healthy workout routine can help take your mind off things, but Martial arts has been a proven exercise that does all that and more. There are many types of Martial arts but I discovered that Tai chi is more based on spiritual ideas that promotes a need for balance in the body, mind, and spirit. It is a graceful form that uses slow hands and slow movements in the body which does wonders for the health and body too.
To give you a better understanding how, every Tai Chi movement consist of some sort of stretch, rotation and twisting of the muscles which helps to release tension in the body. Through these movements it pays attention to the connection between the mind and the body which can relieve stress, fight diseases, and enhance physical well-being. There are other Martial art forms out there like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Karate, Judo and more which you can learn more about at Martial Tribes. However, if you’re thinking that you need to become seriously healthy and put some zen into your life, then give Tai Chi a try, as it consists of components which can help improve quality of life and has plenty of health benefits.
You will find that when practicing Tai Chi, it works on all of the major muscle groups and joints and these are needed for the slow, gentle movements. After a few sessions of this low-impact, weight-bearing exercise, it will improve balance, agility, strength, flexibility, stamina, muscle tone, and coordination. A lot of seniors practice this art because it’s easy to get into and it’s effective and does the health wonders. It just shows that we should start earlier.
There are some people who don’t realise how important breathing is when you’re working out and it’s often ignored. When you perform deep breathing, it enhances blood circulation to the brain, which boosts mental alertness, and this simple practice supplies the entire body with fresh oxygen and nutrients. When you exhale stale air from the lungs and then inhale a lot of fresh air, this will increase your lung capacity and releases tension. This kind of breathing technique successfully helps you to balance and control your body and your mind by connecting the two.
During inhalation and exhalation, a form of energy is being allowed to complete a path of circulation through your whole body, and this makes your body connect to your mind.
Other exercises like yoga as well as martial arts shows that meditation soothes the mind and enhances concentration. To be able to concentrate and focus will give your mind clear thoughts and reduces anxiety, you will even find yourself being more productive and getting things done. Staying calm and being able to control the stress you’re dealing with will give you a peaceful mind which then lowers blood pressure and heart rate meaning a happier you.
Have you ever done martial arts before?
Do you believe spirituality should come into play when exercising?
Do you find it hard to de-stress
Dave used to do kung-fo and he is thinking about getting back in to it. I would love to go with him, as I like the relaxing part of it, and self defence too of course.
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My Nan used to do tai chi (they let her sit on a chair in the class) and she really liked it- it helped her joints keep moving.
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I have huge problems dealing with my stress levels, and I’m trying to battle it with some discipline (so far so good). I have tried tai chi once, but didn’t “get it”. The more spiritual side of something like yoga, I am more at home with though (and I think this has been really evident in going from a yoga class to a studio). I used to do a little kickboxing at uni, and loved it though.
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Martial arts provide one of the best/easiest ways to get into ‘flow state’ thanks to the threat of danger/injury if you’re not paying attention…nothing like preparing for a competition/fight to get you motivated to try out visualisation, meditation etc. too!
Hi mate, thanks for the article. Can I ask for a professional advice on a sport gear, can you recommend me a good one for a quality bjj gi? Thanks a lot!
I have trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the last 6 years and it has helped in every single aspect of my life. From physical to mental. Weirdly when you’re sparring and trying to stop someone from breaking your limbs it’s pretty easy to forget what you were angry about originally
In the East, there’s a connection between Martial Arts and mental (and physical) health. For example, Tai Chi is recommended to people who suffer from various ailments, such as Insomnia, Depression, Chronic Anxiety and more. It’s no surprise that many Martial Art instructors are also healers.
Martial Arts are fantastic stress relief!
You get new skills, health benefits, mental benefits and on top of that you cope with daily issues more confidently! Nice review!
More about benefits of martial arts you can find here: http://www.fullcontactway.com/benefits-of-martial-arts/
Cheers
Jason
Jason Maine recently posted…How to Jump Rope Like a Boxer: Practical Guide for Everyone
Jiu-Jitsu is definitely a great martial art to help control stress.
I find I get the same release of stress as I do wit other physical activity but in addition there is a midfulness benefit as it completely blocks out the world and deeply focus me on something which I love to do.
Just like Tai Chi, breathing is very important and mastering your breathing while sparring is required to ensure that you can stay competitive throughout the entire round.
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I must say this is the best method to feel relax that do the martial arts. In martial arts, there are many kinds of movements these movements pay attention to the connection between the mind and the body which can relieve stress, fight diseases, and enhance physical well-being. Our body remain fit.
Kickboxing or any type of striking is definitely a stress reliever. And as for your question about spirituality, I’ve heard people get euphoria and feel psychedelic trips sometimes when doing yoga.
Never happened to me but I thought I’d share!
I’ve always thought that there is something uniquely spiritual about exercise. It’s almost hard not to go into some state of flow when you’re really involved in something physically. Like a runner’s high almost. Super fascinating concept in my opinion. Nice post!