For the last few years I have watched a disturbing trend in the US when it comes to what people believe about who benefits from martial arts study. Today, it seems, that when the general public thinks of martial arts, they instantly think of a pastime for children. It's not their fault, because a majority martial arts schools have rejected the traditional martial arts lifestyle themselves and have aggressively marketed to this profitable group. It makes sense in a way, parents are willing to invest money in their children and less on themselves, perhaps never even thinking that their children also deserve a parent with the qualities produced with martial arts study. While I believe that martial arts is a very important activity for kids, one that gives them a great head start in many areas, I am sorry to see a decline in the number of adults who see this as a way to better themselves as well.
I believe that perhaps the biggest reason for the decline in adult martial arts practitioners is the belief that "karate class" is a "kids' activity". In reality, studying the martial arts is not just a hobby for kids or even a sport to participate in. Rather, the martial arts is a healthy lifestyle that can positively affect an adult's life in amazing ways. Studies abound that prove over and over the mind, body, and spiritual benefits of making martial arts study a way of life. I'd like to outline just a few of the benefits that adults will enjoy when they make martial arts a part of their healthy lifestyle.
Real martial arts study at a reputable dojo and under a qualified instructor, focuses on improving not only the body, but the mind and spirit as well. What adult couldn't use more patience to deal with the stresses in life? At home? At work? As adults, we are all looking for ways to improve our motivation and drive, we all want something that will give us that edge in our career—that thing that separates people stuck in a rut from those who receive promotions by catching the eye of the movers and shakers of the business world. There is a reason that many corporations look at a black belt as an asset when hiring—individuals with black belts possess the character the company knows will make them successful additions to their team. As adults, we need focus, motivation, self discipline and confidence just as much as—if not more—than our children do, and martial arts is one of the best ways to obtain these qualities.
A Martial Arts Lifestyle Strengthens the Mind:
Calmness of mind, stemming from proper breathing, is a benefit of martial arts training, reducing the inner chatter that we all experience as we go about our daily lives. Medical professionals are just beginning to understand this, but martial artists have understood and honed these skills for hundreds of years. Proper breathing, as practiced in the martial arts, lends to a more meditative outlook on life, lowering the heart rate while delivering more oxygenated blood to the brain. This also helps us to slow down in the moment and deal with those stressful situations, looking at the world through more relaxed and self-assured eyes—perhaps seeing more of the whole picture. Also, in helping us become relaxed and confident in what we do know, we can live in the present and not worry about what we do not know or cannot change.
This same calmness of mind trickles down to create an important mind-body connection that empowers us to take action in situations that may otherwise cause us to freeze under stress; that freeze causing us to miss opportunities or, in self-defense situations, receive physical injury. Being able to focus on a specific task under stress and perform that task well has unlimited career applications. Apply that same mind-body control to a physically dangerous situation and you will be able to step up and successfully defuse a situation or physically defend yourself or your family.
Memory is something that is also dramatically sharpened through martial arts training. Imagine the power of being able to remember names, dates, and other important information as easily as you remember your own birthday. Studies also show that martial arts practice helps prevent dementia and Alzheimer's later in life. It strengthens your brain—much like physical exercise strengthens your heart and body.
Although there are many more benefits that martial arts training will have on the wellness of your mind, let's move on to how a martial arts lifestyle can benefit your body.
A Martial Arts Lifestyle Strengthens the Body:
When adults adopt a martial arts lifestyle, they benefit from increased strength and cardiovascular endurance. Balance, flexibility, building bone density, and maintaining healthy body weight are all byproducts of this lifestyle choice as well. And then think of having better coordination and reaction time—those things come into play in so many areas of life like driving, playing a sport, riding your bicycle or the obvious—self defense.
No one wants to be that elderly person who falls and injures themselves, and nobody wants their freedom or mobility to be taken away for lack of physical control. Practicing the martial arts naturally builds incredible balance and healthy flexibility—both of which are invaluable to adults. The physical workout that martial arts practice provides will strengthen your bones, build your muscle, keep unwanted weight off, and so much more. Visiting a gym may or may not offer some of these benefits, but they go hand in hand with a martial arts lifestyle.
Martial arts practice improves reaction time and coordination, but perhaps one of the biggest physical benefits of a martial arts lifestyle is that of maintaining a healthy weight. There are hundreds of studies proving the importance of all of these areas for an adults general health and wellbeing.
Also, think about doing all of this in a natural way—gaining a complete and strong body while at the same time not relying on gimmicks, fads, or supplements.
A Martial Arts Lifestyle Strengthens the Spirit:
Perhaps one of the most overlooked areas of personal development in our culture is that of our spirit—maybe we don't really understand it or perhaps we've somewhat mystified it, but our spirit is extremely important. Spirit connects our mind's knowledge to our body's strength. It is our attitude, outlook, worldview. It's our mindset, drive, and our determination to fight for what is honorable or worthwhile. An adult with a martial arts lifestyle develops a spirit that allows them to see the opportunities in life rather than being bogged down with trivial day to day circumstances.
Spirit, coupled with technique, allows a martial artist to achieve seemingly impossible feats such as breaking concrete or defending against multiple attackers. The martial artist spirit creates dramatic changes in physical ability, opening the metaphoric "dam" and giving the courage, attitude, and determination to take on the "impossible". It empowers the martial artist to turn life into something positive rather than to just sit stagnant. Running water changes things—stagnant water is just that—stagnant.
Spirit is an energy that positively affects our outlook, enabling us to do great things. It is strong, healing, and positive. You can feel when an individual with strong spirit walks into a room—they have presence, they are magnetic, they are confident and assured, and they know where they are going. They have the motivated outlook to envision what can be, and the drive and determination to overcome obstacles necessary to get there.
Something else about spirit—it's contagious! When an adult decides to start their journey in the martial arts, they will never be alone—they instantly become part of a community, surrounded by a family of like-minded individuals pursuing the same quality of life as they are. This not only empowers the journey, but makes it enjoyable as well. And, as we all know, you will become like those you associate with.
So What is the Martial Arts Lifestyle?
Having just one or two of the areas outlined above creates a type of imbalance in our life. Each area that a martial artist focuses on, enhances another, balancing them out and complementing the martial artist as a entirely healthy individual. A martial arts lifestyle is understanding that idea and taking it seriously. It's making martial arts study and practice more than another "hobby". It's pursuing it with the knowledge that it's valuable, and the spirit that will make the sometimes seemingly impossible completely attainable.
Martial arts for you, as an adult, looks quite different than the game-based, showy, sport karate that you may have seen in demonstrations and in advertisements. For adults who want to be the best person they can be, a martial arts lifestyle means investing time, energy and resources into what is a proven way to become an individual of the highest character and success. In doing this, you will focus on all three of the areas I mentioned above—mind, body and spirit.
Everyone starts at the beginning. You will be taught balance, posture and breathing, then move on to basic movements that will challenge your coordination and concentration—the mind-body connection. As you progress, your physical endurance will begin to be slowly and deliberately pushed, and through that, expanded. You will be given challenges designed to make you call upon your spirit and every time you succeed your excitement and confidence will grow! As you continue to grow you will find yourself looking back to where you've come from and loving the person you are developing into. The more advanced you become, the more basic truths you will realize. And the more you understand, the more you'll be able to apply these truths to every aspect of your daily life.
Martial arts training and study will surprise and challenge you in many ways and by beginning your martial arts lifestyle now, you will soon benefit in ways you never imagined. With these benefits in mind, I challenge you to start your journey today! If you're living in the Chippewa Valley or Eau Claire area, I'd like to have you train with our group of adults at One Tree Martial Arts. Please feel free to call me to begin. My number at the dojo is 715-514-0656.
—Master Jeremy Buchholz
