Most of us work sitting in front of a computer.
Our work is stressful, we get frustrated because of deadlines, tasks
that seem unable to handle, customers and coworkers (or sometimes
even family) getting on our nerves. Every once in a while, all people
have to let off steam, whether it is through some kind of activity
(hobby) or through screaming at each other. Years ago I noticed that
I am much more friendly person when I am too tired to get stressed. I
would like to introduce you to an activity
that helped me fight my problems, graduate from
high school and undergraduate
studies, which is martial arts. Through years I've tried Boxing,
Aikido, Capoeira, Taekwon-do, Muay Thai. Sport that I find best
suited for me was thai boxing, so this post will be mostly about it,
but benefits of training apply (more or less) to all of martial arts.
1. Fitness
Any kind of physical
activity boosts your stamina and strength. From my experience I know
that training in group of extremely motivated people takes all you
can give, sometimes even more. Training at a
gym, running or swimming alone maintains your physical
abilities, but when we are tired we tend to go easy on ourselves. At
trainings with group there is no place for such a
thing, you are motivated to keep up with the
rest of people, even if you do not realize it, which results
in much faster personal fitness development. Martial arts trainings
use not only strength/stamina but also such attributes like
coordination, reflex, perceptivity or quick decision undertaking.
Most of MAs focus not only on strength but also stretching, which is
highly beneficial for the whole body.
source: roundhousemuaythai.com
2. Humbleness and
discipline
Long training that
is required to achieve even an
intermediate level of any martial art teaches trainees that achieving
perfection takes time and continuity in their training. Discipline is
valuable quality in every aspect of life: work, studies, any activity
that requires commitment.
source: shamelesstraveler.com
3.Mindset
Training any kind of
sport changes the way you think. Martial arts trainings are unique in
their competitive nature. Competitors don't fight against clock, or
increasing weight, but have to stand against each other, which is (in
my opinion) much more stressful and challenging. I think that my
first fight was quite a life-changing experience, because you realize
two things:
1. Sometimes there
will be nobody to help you, and you have to deal with it.
2. You are not made
of glass and actually can take a few
hits.
I hope you liked
this presentation. In the end I would like to encourage you to try
martial arts yourself, usually the first
class is free of charge. There is no need to be afraid, a
good trainer won't let you fight
against other people at the beginning. Actually, fighting was
optional everywhere I have trained. You don't like violence? You
train on a bag or with special
protecting equipment. Girls don't have to be afraid, many females
train as well. You can even find
female-only groups.
What are your ways
to let the steam off? Do you train anything?
Comments
struggle is huge. Regardless of whether it is boxing, karate and aikido described here. The purpose of martial arts is also not learning "how to fight", but the ability to control aggression, self-defense and self-control of emotions. It is one of the most spectacular martial arts. Every martial art has many elements of self-defense. Before we will learn any techniques of aikido, we must learn to control over your body, and habits how to replace reactions in aikido. Only when we master our body we will be able to proceed to the next stage, that is, learning the techniques of aikido. The next and most difficult step is to learn to control the opponent's reign on his movement and keeping it in the selected direction for us.
I completely agree with you. Sport is a one of the best way to relax and forget about troubles and other wrong things. I rather preffer sports like fitness and other similar to it. I have never thought about martial arts and I still connect it with the violence. On the one hand it seems to be great to growing our rules but in the other hand it seems to be agressive sport.
When I'm so tired firstly I go asleep :P secondly I ride a bike, thirdly I dance, fourthly I go on fitness, pilatess, etc.
I love it.
I don't think I will begin practise the martial arts.
I do realise that MA's have "aggression" stigma. Yet, during time I spent training I have noticed that only trainees that are not very scrupulous tend to brag about what they are doing and use martial arts outside dojo. That what gives MA's bad name. I actually personally know person who is one of the best in a world in K1 formula who is very humble person, always treated others as equal and I have never seen him brag about his achievements.
I meet with friends and have fun, its not really very sportish :D I used to train paintball and aikido, nowadays I am looking for a new sport to get into. Can't seem to find one that would become my passion tho, guess I'll have to look harder :P
However, I have that idea in the back of my mind that I could go to some self-defence classes - not any particular style of fighting, just some basics to make me feel more comfortable and secure when I'm somewhere alone. Do you feel such classes make sense or are they pointless?