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Martial Arts and Physical Fitness

May 21, 2013 Health and Fitness No comments

If working out at the gym is not your thing, martial arts can be an engaging alternative to bring more physical activity into your life.

According to a recent article published in the JAMA & Archives of Internal Medicine, Tai Chi showed a greater improvement in quality of life for heart failure patients involved in the study.

Tai chi is a technique using movements and positions, systematically. Tai chi is believed to have been developed in 12th Century China.

The study was conducted on 100 individuals who fit the profile as an outpatient with systolic heart failure with the average age of 67, to engage in a 12-week Tai Chi exercise program.

Additional improvements were seen in self-efficacy and in mood, according to the study.

According to the CDC, martial arts can be considered a moderate to vigorous intensity exercise. This depends on the type of activity engaged in.

For older adults who have trouble sleeping doing martial arts may offer an alternative to sleeping medication according to research supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the National Institutes of Health Journal of Sleep.

A study found that for older adults engaging in Tai Chi Chih (a westernized version of Tai Chi) slept better. Tai chi chih has the added advantage of being a physical activity many older adults can participate in.

Martial arts can also be an alternative to traditional exercise to help lose weight.

According to reports, obesity has more than doubled in the Unites States since the 1970s. There is a need for children and adults become more active to balance their caloric intake.

According to the report for 2010 on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans from HHS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture 150 minutes of moderate-intensity, physical activity need to be engaged in each week for substantial health benefits.

Other benefits from martial arts activities include gaining more confidence and focus in learning your body’s limitations and how to control oneself.

 

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How can Martial Arts benefit you and your family?

September 16, 2012 Health and Fitness, Martial Arts Culture, Youth Martial Arts No comments

How can Martial Arts benifit you and your family?

An article published in Adolescence in 1998 described how martial arts programs decrease violent behavior in children and teens.

A 2001 study published in the psychology journal Adolescence showed a vast improvement in good behavior among children who took martial arts classes for just 90 minutes a week.

Carleton University conducted a study published in psychology today stating that among other benefits; children in martial arts have lower levels of anxiety, greater sense of responsibility, and are less likely to take foolish risks.

A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology showed that children who participated in martial art training had better behavior and higher scores on a mental math test.

An article in the December 2002 issue of The International Journal of Contemporary Family Therapy recommended families take martial art classes because of the many positive effects provides to family members.

 

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and its training benefits

September 3, 2012 Health and Fitness No comments

When it comes to training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one of the reasons why many people love training is because it provides several benefits. The benefits go beyond what people associate with normal working out or training. Apart from receiving an intense workout, training also instills a sense of pride and accomplishment with students that participate. People that enroll in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training feel a sense of confidence and power. For many people, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu becomes more than just a way to stay in shape, it becomes a way of life, a guiding path that they use to make decisions in their everyday life.

The benefits are remarkable because those students that go through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training find that they are driven to succeed and because of the connected feeling with other students. Students roll together, train together and find themselves surrounded by people that are like-minded. The people that you are going to meet during Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training are not people that have an interest in hurting one another, but care more about bringing positivity to a sport that allows them to work together to get better, while simultaneously flourishing as an individual.

While going through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, you are going to see that you will increase your cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, and start losing body fat. The best thing is that these things are happening without you feeling like you are powering through a chore. This is because you are having fun. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training is not like going to the gym, placing headphones on your head isolate you from the rest of the world and mindlessly get your workout in because you feel you it is required. It represents a social, supportive, and fun atmosphere that provides you with the same benefits that you can get from even the most advanced gym routine. If you have tried getting motivated for a regular gym visit and just could not put yourself to complete the workout, this would be the perfect alternative to try.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Stress Relief

However, the benefits to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training are more than just physical. Students find that they can reach a new level mentally as well. They have the determination to push harder and get better. Once people realize that techniques that were previously thought of as unattainable can be achieved through practice, it only further encourages them to try harder. Whether you are a stay-at-home mother, working a high-pressure job, or simply want to become more active, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training can provide an excellent stress reliever.

Ultimately, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training promotes healthy living, wellness, camaraderie, respect and discipline rather than violence. If you are interested in learning more about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, be sure to stop in or e-mail for more information about what options you may have available to you.

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Martial Arts Benefits Anyone Over 40

October 13, 2011 Health and Fitness No comments

It’s not just for fighting: new research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that people in their 40′s and 50′s who regularly practice martial arts demonstrate astounding levels of physical fitness in comparison to people the same age who don’t exercise at all. The study subjects who practiced martial arts had 12% less body fat, were able to do twice as many sit-ups, had enhanced flexibility and leg strength, demonstrated a stronger immune system and showed greatly improved balance.

It’s not surprising, of course: martial arts– even mild forms like Tai Chi– have long been known to confer tremendous anti-aging health benefits to their followers. Throughout Asia, it’s not uncommon to see large groups of elderly (people in their 60′s, 70′s and 80′s) practicing TaiChi at sunrise in the community parks. Despire their age, these people have better aerobic conditioning, balance, strength, flexibility and coordination than many typical Americans in their 30′s who are already suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity and cancer. People who practice Tai Chi simply don’t experience those diseases with anywhere near the frequency. As a result, they live longer, healthier, happier lives.

Any form of martial arts or physical discipline will produce similar results, by the way: Tai Chi and Pilates are two of my favorites, but you could also take up dancing or gymnastics, too. More aggressive forms of martial arts such as kickboxing and Tai Kwon Do are also excellent for conditioning, although they are typically more focused on combat than is really necessary. (To be healthy, you don’t have to train for combat. You just have to move your body.)

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Dominion Mixed Martial Arts Academy is based in San Antonio, Texas and teaches a mixed martial arts system that consists of Marcelo C. Monteiro Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kodokan Judo, Muay Thai, Russian Combat and Sport Sambo, Boxing and Gokor Chivikyan Hayastan Grappling without long term contracts.