With the popularity of MMA and the Olympics, people tend to equate combat sports with martial arts. To be fair, there are quite a few similarities. However, this would be the same as equating FUN88 codes with Steam codes – there is some overlapping, but they are really different. Here is how.

Rich History

Martial arts, in their various forms, have existed for a few thousand years, and not just in Asia. There have been many forms of martial arts that focused on wrestling, grappling, punching, kicking, throwing, and using weapons.

The purpose of these martial arts, though somewhat romanticized in movies with Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, and Mark Dacascos, to name a few, was to allow physically smaller, weaker, and often unarmed people to fight. Martial arts like Muay Thai were designed to train an army of people with very few resources against the invaders and Capoeira played a huge part in the revolt of African slaves in the Americas.

Sports

As time progressed, martial arts lost some of the mystique surrounding them. That mystique was there to intimidate would-be aggressors and to keep the secrets of techniques that were most effective and not damaging to the user’s body. Pretty soon, some martial arts were converted into combat sports. Competitions were held and the focus was shifted from defense and immobilization to points and aesthetics. You could still win by knocking your opponent out, but you would also have a chance if you scored more hits or pushed them out of the ring.

Many combat sports have a ban on techniques that would normally be used in a fight for the sake of being sporting and not letting the form devolve into a brawl. For example, Taekwondo uses kicks in the sporting tournaments, but the martial art also uses punches, grapples, throws, joint-locks, and sweeps. None of these are allowed in official Taekwondo tournaments. Training in combat sports, as exhausting as it is, is not as dangerous as training in martial arts used to be.

Make no mistake, though, combat sports can still injure and kill a person. That’s why there is always a referee of some sort in the ring and why many of them have protective gear, like helmets, gloves, shin guards, jockstraps, and so on.

Competition

The end goal of practicing martial arts and combat sports is also very different. Martial arts are a way of life. The purpose of martial arts is to live healthily and to be virtuous, so as not to abuse your knowledge and to build a better world by improving yourself, without limiting yourself to fighting techniques. Tai chi, for instance, is a Chinese martial art made popular for its health benefits and you are likely to see people outside practicing it the same way they do Yoga.

Combat sports also aim at peak physical condition, but their goal is more about what’s in front of us than it is about what’s to come. Combat sports don’t have the same culture as the martial arts and they are more about competitions and proving you are better than someone else. One could argue that combat sports are an aspect of martial arts, much like the forms, or the philosophy. To put it simply and bluntly – there is more to martial arts than just knocking someone out.

Whatever martial art you choose to master, you will be dedicating your time to a noble discipline, often with a long and rich tradition, that will engage both your body and your mind. Mastering martial arts requires time, patience and practice, but as you learn, you will become more mature, your body will become lean, fit and strong, and your confidence will grow.

Step 1: Choosing a Martial Art

First, you need to choose a martial art that you want to master. Each has its philosophy that is reflected in its training style. For example, judo means gentle (ju) way (do) and it was developed in Japan as a physical and moral pedagogy. It is built around the concept of jū yoku gō o seisu (softness controls hardness). Thus, the style of judo consists of using the opponent’s force to put them off balance, allowing for weaker competitors to defeat much stronger ones. On the other hand, aikido embodies the principle of aiki, “joining energy”. Thus, this martial art avoids direct clashes of force and focuses instead on joining forces with the opponent in order to overcome them.

Thus, if you want to master an Asian martial art, it is a good idea to study and understand the philosophy and values behind it. These martial arts often stress harmony between mind and body. Here, developing the right mindset is equally important as physical mastery.

If you want to learn a martial art that you can use for self-defense and are more interested in practical application than in spiritual aspect of martial arts, consider Krav Maga, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai. They offer plenty of moves that you can use in real danger to defend yourself from attacks.

Step 2: Find a Teacher

After choosing a martial art, the next step is to enroll in a school for your chosen martial art and attend classes regularly. You will progress much faster with the instructor and in a supportive group of fellow students than you could on your own.

If it is not possible for you to find a teacher, e.g. because there is no martial arts school where you live, there are numerous online courses that can help you teach yourself. This will be much easier if you find a training partner. However, it is possible to practice even without a partner by using the technique of visualizing your opponent.

Step 3: Regular Workout

If you really want improvement, you will need a regular workout. Martial arts engage your entire body and you should do cardio, stretching exercises for flexibility, and exercises that strengthen the primary muscles for your fighting style. In addition, use cross-training to make your whole body stronger. Body is a unified whole and all parts should work in concert in order to perform successfully.

Also, like in any sports, a well-balanced diet is crucial to success. Take enough fruit, vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates every day.

Be patient and diligent in learning the basics because these are the foundations for all the more complex moves. Keep in mind that it takes years to truly become a master. To take judo as an example once more, you will need to pass several student levels before being eligible for the black belt. But the journey doesn’t end there because there are more than 10 grades for black belt fighters, and only a few achieve complete mastery.

Many people enter the world of martial arts in order to become ripped or shredded, but that is not what the martial arts are about. There are some aspects to it that can improve your health and general well-being. Here are a few ways martial arts can help improve your life.

Physical Health

While you are not going to get huge like a stereotypical bodybuilder, and you are not going to get amazing pecks and abs if you train only recreationally, you should still consider doing martial arts for its health benefits. Every practice starts with stretches and ends with them, with special attention being paid to the proper execution of techniques and strength exercises.

In other words, doing martial arts makes you stronger, more limber, and more energetic. This, paired with a proper diet, boosts your immune system and keeps your body in the shape that is above average when compared to your age group. You can also lose some of the pain in your muscles and joints and even kick-start some of your body’s systems, like digestion or blood flow. Trust us, these are a big deal down the line.

Mental Health

As you may or may not know, physical exercise can improve your mood, which is one of the things recommended to people battling any in a wide array of mental conditions, like anxiety and depression. Physical exercise leads to the secretion of endorphins in order to make the physical stress not so scary. After practice, you feel elated and euphoric, not just tired.

There is also the added benefit of resolving any pent-up aggression you may have, by providing you with a way to vent. Martial arts do have one more benefit that the traditional going to the gym and going some sports do not – you learn how to keep your emotions in check, instead of suppressing them or unleashing them when you can’t hold back. Martial arts help develop discipline, which you can use in other aspects of your life as well. Furthermore, regular practice and the execution of techniques build your self-confidence, allowing you to make decisions you can stand behind without doubting yourself.

Rhythm

Martial arts are beneficial to people who have trouble organizing their day. Waking up, going to bed, and eating at irregular times makes us disoriented, unfocused, and unmotivated to do our best, whether it is at home, work, school, or our hobbies. Going to Judo or something else several times per week gives you an idea of how to put a bit of rhythm to your life, which makes things easier in the long run.

This sense of rhythm and discipline is, really, all you need to lead a life with better quality than what you might expect to find among your peers. Remember that doing martial arts is not just a hobby. As corny as it may sound, it is a way of life, a set of habits that makes you into a better version of yourself.

The key to a long life was a question that people have tried to answer for a long time. And although many have claimed that there is a shortcut or an easy way to achieve good health and a great quality of life, the truth is that there is no shortcut for this and that it demands dedication, physical and mental strength, and discipline. This is the reason why fitness is so popular nowadays, and why more and more people are interested in sports. Sports betting also seems to be a popular choice, which can be seen when we look at Bookmaker bonus codes, which give new players bonuses for joining. However, some people like to make their sports and fitness experience more applicable in everyday life, which is why they opt for practicing martial arts. If you are starting out on your martial arts journey, it would be very wise to follow some influencers who practice them, to learn, become motivated, and progress forward. Here are some martial arts influencers that are worth following.

Eddie Ng

This MMA fighter lives in Singapore but originally comes from Hong Kong. However, in between those two, he lived in Newcastle and has managed to get acquainted with numerous fighters in that part of the island.

He is very well respected in Asia, and his online posts have a very interesting outlook on the world of martial arts. He has an almost philosophical view on fighting, and he presents it in a clear and straightforward way through his posts.

Damien Trainor

His name is very well-known to Muay Thai enthusiasts from Europe and around the world, as this man was declared a world champion in Muay Thai several times.

Today, he is a very popular coach, and not only for Muay Thai fighters but other fighters as well. He has created a range of very successful training regimes that he offers to his trainees, and he presents a lot of it online. Unlike many fitness and martial arts influencers, even the unpaid content that he offers is worthwhile, and it is helpful to anyone who is interested.

John Wayne Parr

Parr comes from Australia, and despite being 38 years old, he is still very active in the world of combat.

His skill and drive are feared and renowned in the world of Muay Thai and kickboxing around the world.

Aside from that, he is a very down-to-earth type of person, who also likes to relax and have a laugh every once in a while, which makes him very popular among fans. More than 200,000 people follow him on social networks, where he offers his unique take on the world of fighting, and other things, as well.

Dustin Poirier

This fighter has a black belt in Brasilian Jiu-Jitsu. He comes from Louisiana and is in the Lightweight division of the UFC.

On his Instagram, he covers everything, from his fighting to his training regimes and personal life. More than one million fans follow him for his insightful posts about his UFC experience, and you should definitely check out what he has to say about martial arts.

Any kind of physical activity holds a risk of getting injured. Some martial arts exercises and techniques are hard on the muscles, joints, and ligaments, so injuries are quite common.

Regardless of the severity of your injury, it is crucial to find the safest possible way to continue training and the quickest healthy way to recover.

Here are our five tips to help you train when injured:

Do not force yourself

Don’t make a mistake and ignore your injury. Listen to your body. Make an appointment with a medical professional. Avoid treating the injuries yourself or trying to push through the pain.

All injuries require immediate attention since this is the only way to prevent them from becoming chronic problems.

The consequences of not letting your injury take time to heal can be serious and it can even end your sports career.

Your body needs rest in order to properly heal, and what most people try to do is just to lie down and relax while watching a movie or gambling online using Casino Lab Bonus Code. Make sure you have enough sleep because you will need extra energy.

Adjust your nutrition

Protein-rich foods prevent muscle loss after an injury. Drastically reducing calories will work against a speedy recovery and return to sport. Reducing calories will also affect strength and power. What you need is a balanced diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Hydration is a key to health in general, so keep in mind to maintain the same level of fluid intake. Insufficient energy will prolong the healing process.

Stick to your rehab program

Add appropriate physical therapy to the proper nutrition and let the body do its job. Stick to your rehab program before, during, and after training.

Ask your physician to recommend the safest exercises that can speed up your recovery. They can also advise you (in cooperation with your coach) on how to modify martial arts training and activities you wish to participate in.

Help and support

When going through difficulties, we tend to get fueled with feelings of isolation, frustration, or anxiety. Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed with negative thoughts. Express your feelings and accept help and support from your coach, family, or therapist. It can really increase your motivation. The sooner you process your emotions and face the challenges, the greater your chances of recovery are. Set your goals and make sure that your injury doesn’t have the power over you.

Focus on less demanding aspects of the sport

Take a look at the positive aspects of the situation. Even if you cannot properly train for a while and it will take some time for you to get back to full strength after the injury, you can always expand or consolidate your knowledge of other aspects of martial arts. Think of it as your chance to work on the theory and philosophy of the sport. Focus on meditation and breathing exercises. Improve or perfect some of the non-physical techniques.

A very common dilemma most adults are dealing with is whether their age could prevent them from trying something new – a change of career, picking up a new sport or a hobby, learning a new skill or a language.

Well, one thing is for sure – you can never be too old to start practicing martial arts.

In fact, it’s a great choice! It is beneficial for both your physical and mental health.

A lot of types and styles of martial arts you can learn with no age limit.

Here is what to consider if you are an adult beginner.

Consult your doctor first

Practicing martial arts is a demanding activity requiring a great deal of effort. You have to be sure your body can endure such physical requirements. A professional opinion is a must if you have a history of injuries or some serious medical conditions.

Set your goals

Have you always wanted to join martial arts after watching action movies? Are you looking for something that will make an impact on your body and mind? Do you want to feel stronger and safer and improve your confidence?

First of all, you should understand your motivation and consider your goals. That will help you choose the right martial art and school. Focus on what you want to achieve, make a list and prioritize your objectives (for example, weight loss, defense, flexibility).

Focus on your health

Martial arts classes make you stretch and use your body in so many new ways. Not only will you strengthen your muscles but you will also reduce your sensitivity to injuries in everyday life. Martial arts will impact your mental health by teaching you how to meditate and connect with your spiritual self. Through various forms of exercise, you will feel stronger and healthier every day. It is proven that exercise increases productivity in all areas of life. It can improve your brain function and slow down cognitive decline, thus reducing the risk of dementia.

Make a long-term commitment for best results

From white to black belt – that’s the path that everyone must take. Even the most experienced professionals have once been in your shoes.

You will slowly build upon your skills and achieve proficiency. Consistency is the key. It leads to habits that form the actions. Those actions lead to success. Commit to consistent training, be persistent and the results will come.

Adjust habits

Hard work will take up a lot of energy so you should make sure you are eating healthier and having enough sleep to recover. Active recovery is also recommended. Consider light exercise, jogging or swimming. This will reduce the risk of muscle strain and other injuries and will make you feel better than ever in no time.