See why so many people are becoming ATA members.
Training at Martial Arts schools is about reaching your personal goals in a safe and fun environment. It’s about learning Martial Arts for increased physical ability and mental awareness. It is truly more than just kicking or punching. Its’ about changing a life in a positive training environment.
You’ve tightened your abs, stretched your hamstrings and built your biceps, but have you exercised to build your mental stamina? Exercise helps your body resist stress-related disorders. The brain sends signals to the body to produce adrenaline during stressful situations, but it’s meant to be for short periods of time, not long-term. Long-term exposure to adrenaline causes many physical problems, and can contribute to headaches, digestive problems, colds, high blood pressure, heart disease and even stomach fat!
According to Barbara Brehm-Curtis, EdD, professor of exercise and sport studies at Smith College in Northampton, MA, “If done consistently, physical activity actually reduces your stress reactivity. That means less adrenaline gets released and you don’t get as stressed out by things that used to upset you.”
There are some things you can do to facilitate the stress resistance factors. Choose physical activities, like martial arts, that allow you to have fun! This alters the brain chemistry in a positive way, reducing stress. Playing vigorously has the added benefit of ridding your body of stress-causing hormones such as adrenaline.
Strength training, yoga or any exercise, which involves tensing then releasing muscles, can act as progressive relaxation. As Dr. Brehm-Curtis explains it, “When you measure muscle electrical activity after weight training, there’s less electrical activity, indicating that the muscles are more relaxed.”
If you are not the type to meditate, try rhythmic, repetitive activities such as Taekwondo, swimming, rowing or running, Krav Maga, which increase alpha brain waves. These are the same waves that produce a meditative calm.
How many of us have said we can’t find time for one 30 or 40 minute exercise session? The American Council on Exercise suggests taking a 10-minute break every 90 minutes to climb stairs or walk around the building. You’ll accumulate 50 minutes of exercise in an eight-hour day and be more productive, because you’re reducing stress and physically moving.
For stress-relieving benefits, try exercising at least 30 minutes most days of the week. If you are new to exercise, begin with just two or three days, then work up to five or more days. If you need help or have questions, ask your Taekwondo martial arts instructor. Remember, exercise doesn’t just affect your physical appearance, but your mental health too.
Many styles of mixed martial arts such as; Kung Fu, Karate, MMA Fighter style training that is safe and fun (as seen on Mixed Martial Arts Fighting, Cage Training and MMA Video’s), Kick Boxing, Self Defense, Fighting Styles, and Krav Maga, have been incorporated into the ATA’s program by Grand Master Soon Ho Lee’s Taekwondo. Grand Master is a Champion Taekwondo Martial Arts Master in America and is recognized as a U.S. Taekwondo leader. Martial Arts Movies have shown the various Martial Arts techniques that ATA Utilizes in classes in Virginia Beach. While the Traditional Taekwondo programs utilize a Taekwondo style uniform, the Krav Maga utilizes a line of Mixed Martial Arts Fight Wear, MMA Apparel and MMA clothing for the student uniform.