3 Core Benefits of Studying Martial Arts by Kylie Juss

Finding the time to work out can be difficult, particularly if you have a job and family to worry about. After enduring a long day at the office and getting dinner on the table, you’re pretty much spent. Once all the little chores that make up a typical day are complete, you space out in front of the television for a few hours before drifting off to sleep. Falling into a routine like this is very easy; pulling yourself out is what takes strength.

The key to staying in shape is motivation. If you can find an exercise routine that continuously motivates you to do better, you’re more apt to stick with it. For this reason, martial arts are perfect for people who are tired of cycling through an assortment of unfulfilling workout regimens. Although martial arts are commonly associated with children and young adults, people of all ages regularly practice them. If you’re currently on the fence about whether to take up a martial art, consider the following perks. As you’ll find, practicing martial arts has a number of far-reaching benefits.

Strength Building

When many people think of martial arts, they picture punching, kicking and assorted flips. Regardless of what martial art you choose to take up, you can expect to learn a bevy of impressive attacks – which are only to be used in self-defense. Not only will learning a fighting style improve your flexibility, it will help increase your core strength. When searching for a martial art that delivers in the strength-building department, look no further than Krav Maga. Combining elements of karate, Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing and Muay Thai, Krav Maga is a mash-up of practical martial arts. Floridians and upstate New-Yorkers interested in trying their hand at Krav Maga should pay a visit to Moti Horenstein’s Mixed Martial Arts Center.

Structure

It’s easy to abandon a workout routine. In some cases, people do it intentionally because a regimen is too strenuous. Other times, it’s a matter of life getting in the way. We often tell ourselves that there’s no harm in missing one or two workouts, but deep down, we know this isn’t really the case. Each workout we miss ultimately makes it harder to fall back into a routine. Fortunately, martial arts provide people with consistent structure. Since missing a class practically ensures that you’ll fall behind your fellow students, there’s plenty of incentive to become a regular presence at your dojo. As the adage goes, "Two classes are needed to make up for every one class missed."

Inner Calm

Despite the heavy emphasis on combat, many martial arts stress inner peace. Most training sessions begin with meditation and deep breathing exercises, enabling students to step outside of themselves and clear their minds for the challenges that lie ahead. The prospect of attaining inner calm draws a fair number of heavily-stressed individuals to martial arts. Whether your inner turmoil is caused by career obligations, familial responsibilities or a combination thereof, martial arts training can help.

The hardest part of any new workout regimen is getting started. A martial art may seem like a huge commitment, but after attending a few lessons, your self-confidence and desire to improve will reach new heights. If you need motivation just to get yourself to a dojo, just remember the above-mentioned benefits.

About the Author: Kylie Juss is a high school physics teacher, mother of three and recently-converted martial arts enthusiast. For the last six months, she’s regularly attended lessons at Moti Horenstein’s West Nyack, NY training facility. Pleased with her progress, Stella has recently turned her husband and several friends on to the benefits of Krav Maga.

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