Tag: martial arts

Keeping Children Fit Through Martial Arts Fun

Posted on | by Jason

Fitness and exercise are crucial to the healthy functioning of both the mind and the body. Some individuals are naturally active, as a result of an active upbringing, but this is not the case inmost Americans today. While adult society is growing in awareness of the need for good fitness and health, the same cannot be said for young children. Nowadays, with all the technology and gadgetry available, fewer children are taking to the streets and parks to toss a football around or do pretty much any other outdoor physical activity. As a parent, it is extremely important to monitor how much exercise and physical activity a child is getting, and ensure that they remain active during their most formative years.

School vs. play

Children of the youngest of ages do not have the pressures of going to school, and often learn through play itself. However, as they grow older, school work and other responsibilities limit the amount of time they have to spend outside playing games or performing any kind of physical activity. While academics are certainly important, a parent should strive to find a balance between work and physical activity for their children.

During a child’s first few years, his or her muscles and bones are still in development. For children to become strong and healthy, it is important for them to engage in diverse physical activities on a regular basis. Apart from strengthening their bodies, physical activity also helps children sleep better at night. Moreover, exercise releases important chemicals in the brain and body that foster a positive outlook and attitude. Finally, frequent exercise also limits the chances of serious medical conditions like diabetes or obesity from developing, which occurs today in Americans of all ages at an alarming rate.

Teaching the whole person

Apart from actually keeping the body fit, exercise does a number of extraordinary things to the mind as well. Physical activities like sports provide a relief or an stress outlet from the day to day school routine that most children have nowadays. It’s something to look forward to, a short time where they can be focus on something more enjoyable than their problems! Moreover, just the act of playing and working with a group of friends helps social skills as well. It goes without saying that a child who is physically active is more energized, and prepared to take on each and every day. If your children are interested, you can usually find a great introductory offer or free trial at most martial arts training facilities. Such classes help children in becoming independent, while also keeping them healthy and fit body, mind, and spirit.

A History of the Martial Arts

Posted on | by Jason

Martial arts originated more than 2000 years ago and since have developed and split into more than 200 styles existing today. Since the beginning of time, the need to fight was a necessity for man’s survival, which gave birth to these organized styles. The world has seen many celebrated fighters such as Alexander the Great, Hercules, Richard the Lionheart, and Gautham Buddha, who practiced systematic and refined ways of fighting. Besides these, there were the Shaolins of China, Samurais of Japan and Hwarangs of Korea, whose contributions to martial arts cannot be overstated.

So where did martial arts originally emerge? Did it some from China, Japan, or India? How do we explain the Egyptian murals dating back to 3000 BC that depicts hand-to-hand combat? No one has a clear picture regarding the date or place of origin of martial arts. However, there are many details available about the development of martial arts in various countries around the medieval through modern periods.

History in Asia

Indian vedic (knowledge) texts that are as old as 1700 BC contain references and details regarding martial arts. It is said that ancient Indian martial arts developed by Buddhist monks were the inspiration for other Asian martial arts.

China’s presence in martial arts training dates back to 1122 BC with the Zhou dynasty that promoted boxing techniques. The influence of Buddhism to China in the 5th and 6th centuries inspired development of martial arts in the Shaolin monastery of China. However, there are also records that a few of the earliest monks of the monastery were already familiar with martial arts even before the arrival of Indian monk Bodhidharma in China. With the efforts of many modern practitioners such as Yang Luchan, Wong Fei Hung and Huo Yuanjia, the techniques gained popularity.

In Japan, the Samurai clan was responsible for the development of martial arts. Though these techniques were initially used for self glorification, they gradually transformed into a philosophy of gaining spiritual goals. Later on, some martial arts including Judo were developed from the prevalent techniques of Jujitsu that were spread by Samurais.

Europe and the Middle East

Boxing was accepted as a sport in Greece in as early as 688 BC. Gladiatorial combats of Rome are documented from 260 BC. By the late middle ages, fencing had started gaining popularity in Germany and Italy. Efforts of some fencing masters including George Silver and Joseph Swetnam lead to the martial art’s popularity. Wrestling was considered suitable only for the proletarians in Germany till its emergence as a modern sport in the 19th century.

The traditional Persian grappling, known as Koshti, is a contribution of Middle East to the martial arts world. Through expression of intercultural interest and the efforts of many over
time, martial arts broke national boundaries to reach a wider audience. Several have now been accepted as Olympic sports. Who would have thought at the time of development that a means of
personal self defense would ultimately become competitions for gold medals and national pride thousands of years later!