The Physical and Psychological Benefits of Martial Arts Training
Date: 11/29/2017 3:16:45 PM
Developed to improve self-defense and combative success, Martial Arts were created in the ancient cultures of Asia. Martial Arts involve Fighting Techniques, Mental Discipline, Physical Exercise and intellectual concepts as well. Our society has become increasingly interested in Martial Arts over the last 50 years and we are finally beginning to realize all the wonderful benefits they have to offer. Properly practiced Martial Arts can bring about a number of beneficial physical and psychological effects. I am a firm believer that Martial Arts is for everyone, regardless of race, sex, age, physical condition or religious beliefs. Many of the physical benefits of training resemble those achieved by any other form of exercise. It involves a period of warming up, stretching, then training. The exercise one gets from Martial Arts training improves balance, flexibility, stamina, and posture. Weight loss is promoted through extended cardiovascular activity. One of the goals is to master tension and relaxation that provide a balance of energy in the body in an effort to return them to good health. The ancient art of Kung Fu San Soo has been used to promote health in China for hundreds of years. It has been regarded as one of the best overall forms of exercise. This graceful art uses slow, circular movements to exercise the body and mind. Kung Fu is beneficial to cardio respiratory function, immune capacity, mental control, flexibility, and balance control. It also helps to improve muscle strength, increasing endurance and coordination. On an average, those that practice Kung Fu had 12% less body fat with greater flexibility and twice the balancing power of those that do not practice. Martial Arts are a safe and effective way to protect against disease and reduce the negative effects of aging. One of the most psychological beneficial aspects of Martial Arts training is the increase in self-confidence. The goal is not to teach people to fight those who argue or disagree, but to teach them to defend themselves when necessary. Confidence allows you to remain calm during difficult situations. Those capable of defending themselves should need to use physical force less often than those who cannot defend themselves. Most studies on the long-term effects of Martial Arts training agree that Martial Arts are affective in producing positive social and psychological changes. The one who practices has a significant drop in levels of aggression, hostility and anxiety. As well as an increase of independence, self-reliance, and self-confidence. Common American sports have many similarities with Martial Arts training including fitness, coordination development and social interaction. Martial Arts differ in their focus including not only the benefits of Western World sports but with emphasis on self control, and positive social and psychological changes as well as self defense. And less emphasis on competitiveness. When you are confident, you have no need to show the world how “bad” or good you are. Martial Arts pick up where Western sports are lacking promoting a healthy way of life as well as physical development. Thirty years of research on this topic supports the anecdotal reports that Martial Arts are good for the mind as well as the body. Many psychologists are willing to admit that under proper supervision, from a well trained instructor, Martial Arts can and is a very helpful form of psychotherapy. Martial Arts have been able to stand up to all the scientific tests. They are obviously physical and mentally beneficial to battle stress and anxiety and will undoubtedly affect you in a positive way. It is amazing to think that the Chinese have been using Martial Arts for thousands of years, and we are just now starting to figure out what they involve. Martial Arts have turned out to be more than just tools for self-defense. They have developed into systems that not only protect from attackers but also from poor physical and psychological health.
Research Prepared by Master James Matthews Ogg
