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Article 5
Health facet of Martial Arts / by Itzik Cohen
Articles List:
Health facet of Martial Arts \ by Itzik Cohen.
Introduction
The article focuses in the health component within Martial Arts.
I find the necessity to write this article since many people referred me about this issue, some of them are already practicing and others want to start practice and inquire in general about the activity and about their personal compatibility.
First I will briefly survey Martial Arts origin and task in order to be familiar with nature and essence of the art and then I will concentrate the subject, that is the close relations between Martial Arts and health (To read about Martial Arts history, evolution and philosophy please refer to other articles that widely deal with these subjects).
If we look into history we will discover that Martial Arts environment splits to two branches: military and civilian.
The military branch Martial is used by soldiers in battle field while in the civilian branch was used by civilians (e.g. peasant) in order to defend themselves from robbers and pirates (a significant fact but not relevant to current subject).
In both cases we find weaponry utilization as well as empty hands.
In first case we witness to the use of military weapons as swords, spears, archery etc. while in other case we notice the use of agriculture instruments that were converted to self defense weapons e.g. Nunchaku, Sai, Tekko, Tunfa (Toifa) Kama etc. (Weaponry discussion presents in other pages\articles in the site).
We should practice in any activity that we are involved if we intend to improve ourselves, especially when it comes to life and survival. We should improve varied abilities (technical, mental, Physical etc.) and to obtain the desirable result, that is to say motor activity and well shape as Body Strength, Flexibility, Balancing, Coordination, Correct Body Position and Posture, Motion in space, Breathing techniques, Concentration, Relaxation, Fitness Body Shape improvement, Physical & Mind awareness. All these factors are vital and are compounded and milestones in Martial Arts (of course that training should take place correctly, in right dosage and under professional teacher). Clever exercises will build the body symmetrically, might prevent accumulate damages and improve health.
For example: Let examine the correct Posture component in daily life.
Poor posture affects the body which becomes tired fast and has difficulties to generate an effort. Poor posture also badly affects internal organs, mainly lungs and digestion system. A person is not able to achieve maximal efficiency while standing or sitting bent back (not to mention accumulate damage) and while thorax is compressed. The pressure intensifies lungs and respiration activity. When walking is incorrect done and extra pressure is activated simultaneously, a pain will appear followed by restlessness, impatience and discomfort (Body and Mind are closely tied).
In addition there are basic activities as hunched position, pushing, pulling and carrying heavy burdens. All of these are daily activities which are involved in our daily life.
Well posture is characterized by correct mechanical body utilization and presents fundamental factors to correct body motion. As a result of body weight and motion, bones and joins should be in a condition that enables burden bearing and loads delivery efficiently. Well posture is not congenital factor or an instinct and many of us adapted bad posture habits during life. Incorrect posture is liable to lack of balance in skeleton outline, joints and spinal column overloads.
Correct posture is taught in static and dynamic (motion) positions and Martial Arts provide varied techniques to acquire, to practice and assimilate correct habits and posture.
Summary:
Health is an essential factor in Martial Arts and well shape is a necessity in order to improve the ability in fight scenario. Correct posture and motion principles are vital in order to be efficient.
From philosophy as well as practical point of view we can easily notice that Martial Art and good health are one.
The fighter requires wide and excellence repertoire to approximate is probability to win or survive. Good health and well shape are necessary to improve continually and to ultimate these abilities.
Itzik Cohen
14/02/2005
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