Martial Arts
Have you ever seen a bride karate chop a board in half while wearing her wedding dress? I have! Several years ago, I was lucky enough to photograph a wedding where the bride and groom were both karate instructors so their reception was… shall we say, interesting? I knew little about martial arts then (I still don’t know much), but I do know that it can be a tremendously rewarding hobby and physical activity to engage in if you are looking for one. There are a number of forms of martial arts so here is a brief description of the four most popular ones you’ll find in the U.S. (Senshi Academy, 2020).
Karate - originating in Japan, “karate” means “empty handed” and the practice centers around self defense and combat. Karate includes a philosophy that extends well beyond sparring though and engages practitioners in how they live their lives.
Kung Fu - this is an umbrella term for the martial arts that come to us from China and has been popularized by practitioners in films such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li.
Judo - this is one of the more modern forms of martial arts also having originated in Japan. It involves techniques that include lifting opponents and throwing them on their backs or leveraging their strength against them.
Jiu Jitsu - the Brazilian form of this challenges combatants to obtain the superior position by means of joint manipulation, locking of joints, specific holds, and chokes.
The benefits of practicing martial arts are extensive and not limited just to the physical. The first is obvious. If you practice martial arts regularly, then you’ll probably experience weight loss and muscle gain or toning. Flexibility and balance are two other areas where the martial arts excel. Nothing will improve your balance quite like practicing certain kicks, listening to your body, and thinking through which parts of it you are using and why. The last of the physical benefits is agility and reflexes. Obviously you need to be on your toes when sparring with a partner so you’ll find yourself more aware of your surroundings and able to react quickly and calmly as a result (Way of Martial Arts).
Among the ways that martial arts bring greater health to your mental/emotional life are an increased ability to focus, higher levels of confidence, memory improvement, and a general sense of peace of mind. The martial arts are well known for their individual moves and memorizing these moves, mastering them, then combining them will make good memory work for anybody! Although martial arts may seem violent to the casual onlooker, to practice effectively you actually need to achieve total calm and inner focus. There should be no aggression in the heart, mind, or body of the participant (Way of Martial Arts). Calm and self control are the superpowers behind martial arts and part of what makes it such a fantastic hobby to begin.
References:
Way of Martial Arts. 15 benefits of martial arts. Way of Martial Arts. Retrieved from https://wayofmartialarts.com/benefits-of-martial-arts/.
The seven most popular types of martial arts. (2020). Senshi Academy. Retrieved from https://senshi.com.au/the-seven-most-popular-types-of-martial-arts/.
Challenges/Points:
There are many different types of martial arts, so don’t worry if it takes time to settle on the one that’s the best fit for you.
A calm mind, body, and heart are the goal for every person who practices martial arts.
If you are interested in trying out a type of martial arts without committing to anything extensive, see if any schools in your area offer just one or two introductory classes.
Questions:
Have you ever participated in martial arts or do you know someone who has?
Which form of martial arts appeals to you the most right off the cuff?
How would practicing martial arts improve or change part of your life?
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