Benefits of Regularly Practicing Martial Arts

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

Martial arts can be seen by outsiders as an aggressive way of life. However, this is far from the truth. Karate is a discipline that boosts a number of good aspects of a disciple’s lifestyle and keeps him or her stable, both – mentally and physically. Moreover, the fact that a person burns a lot of calories during a single karate workout means that it can prove to be a very effective weight-loss program as well.

Karate has come a long way from its origin as a martial art. It is now widely practiced and learnt by people all over the world. People practice it because it provides several health benefits in addition to being a martial art. 

Ideal for stress management 

Although karate originated as a form of self-defense and attack, more and more people are becoming aware of the self-control boosting properties of the discipline. There is significant focus on developing the body and mind to work in perfect harmony. Endurance, general physical fitness and conditioning are the hallmarks of this martial art. 

Stress management is a very important aspect because of the fact that being relaxed and calm is central to the ability of learning various techniques. Martial Arts can teach the art of patience and mind control to a person. Long practice of karate has the potential to train the mind to focus more. Martial Arts has helped many in strengthening their memory, managing their stress and making them more calm and determined as a person.

Karate for cardio and stretching 

One prominent aspect when compared to most other forms of martial arts that you are likely to notice is the fact that pushing or extending movements tend to be much more common than pulling or contractive movements. It promotes whole body movement in order to ensure that the body is in synchronization when it needs to perform the art. 

Calisthenics is a very important aspect of karate when it comes to both, cardio and stretching areas of the martial art. Individuals practicing will experience increased oxygen intake as well as energy levels and a feeling of being significantly rejuvenated. The workout is guaranteed to work up sweat with there being sudden changes in pace of the workout that help further develop the anaerobic aspects of the body.

Martial Arts is a great cardio exercise, meaning that it is great for the health of the heart and blood circulation in general. It is especially useful for people who are old and unable to go to gym or exercise regularly. It greatly helps in weight reduction and in improving fitness of its practitioners.

The stretching movements help to strengthen the muscles of arms and legs. It is a great way to train the body to become stronger and more flexible. 

Martial Arts for self defense 

Originally developed as a form of self – defense, Karate is a very useful tool to possess in the event you find yourself in a vicious, unprovoked attack. You learn to use the aggressors own weaknesses against him. It is because of this that karate teaches you to remain calm and collected. People that are filled purely with anger or rage during an altercation have their judgment clouded. Students tend to be able to see their opponent’s weakness as a result of their ability to remain calm.  Another aspect of martial arts is the fact that there is a lot of focus on reducing the impact that your opponent’s attacks will have on you. 

Please visit https://askaboutkarate.com/ for information about our martial arts school in Santa Rosa, CA!