New Year. New resolutions. For some people, January can be a time of reflection and an opportunity to set new goals.
Many people look to address their health, fitness, and well-being. With this in mind, we look at seven ways in which martial arts can be beneficial all-round.
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Physical Health
Health benefits of taking up martial arts include improved balance, stamina, strength, and posture.
It is also open to people of all ages. Research has found that ‘hard’ martial arts, such as taekwondo and karate, have the potential to improve functional fitness in older adults. This includes mobility, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
South West Taekwondo Academy (SWTKD) member Barbara Wood , who is also part of Old Farts Martial Arts, a group for martial artists over 40, is one such example – earning her Black Belt at the age of 75.
She told Martial Journal: “It not only helps to keep you physically fit, but mentally sharp too.”
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Mental health
Indeed, martial arts have been found to engage the mind and have therapeutic benefits.
Studies have found martial arts can have a positive impact on mental health – and it has been credited with enhancing self-esteem, self-control, mental and physical relaxation, as well as decreasing anxiety and depression.
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Behavior
Martial arts are linked with greater emotional stability and assertiveness and reductions in aggression and violent behavior.
It has been found to have benefits for children with behavioral, emotional and social difficulties, as well as improving social skills among those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Martial arts tend to emphasize the importance of discipline, respect and self-control – and in turn this has been found to reduce the occurrence of aggression and bullying.
A study found that compared to other competitive sports, martial arts based on moral discipline have the advantage of regulating individual behavior and reducing involvement in school bullying.
SWTKD Instructor Master Vaughan Buxton, a 7th-degree black belt in taekwondo and a British, European, and World title holder, said: “When I started taekwondo, I was a small, geeky child who got bullied. Taekwondo helped to build a new friend group, which in turn allowed my confidence to grow.”
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Confidence
This brings us to confidence, which tends to develop through martial arts training. It is also said to improve self-esteem and resilience.
Gavin Reader, who is an NHS project manager and trained paramedic, has been a sports coach for over 20 years and instructs at SWTKD.
He has witnessed first-hand how taekwondo develops students’ confidence and resilience, along with physical and mental strength.
Gavin, a 3rd degree Black Belt, who took up taekwondo when his young daughters started, said: “I’ve seen children come to the club and in a relatively short space of time, become much more confident in themselves.
“As a parent, I think it’s a great way to help your child build resilience and self-esteem while improving their health and wellbeing.”
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Self-defense skills
Martial arts date back thousands of years, when combat styles were used for training in warfare and self-defense.
Though practitioners may debate which style is more effective, martial arts, in general, help students to better defend themselves.
- Goal setting
Martial arts encourage students to set goals – from learning or improving a new technique to belt promotion to taking part in competitions.
Master Buxton, who is also a master violinist, said: “I think taekwondo is great for all walks of life, both adults and children. It allows people to achieve goals, no matter how large or small.”
- Fun
And, of course, it’s fun. Most of the time. There is the social side – which Mr Buxton described as creating ‘lasting friendships’, while Barbara added: “We take class seriously but have a laugh too.”
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. How has martial arts benefited you?
She took up Tang Soo Do several years ago, and then Taekwondo. She used to enjoy Thai Boxing and Judo as a teenager. She is a student with South West Taekwondo Academy (SWTKD) ww.swtkd.co.uk
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