Measuring Fitness Against Finesse
The obvious images come to mind when someone thinks of physical fitness: a certain body shape, size and musculature, weight via inches, pounds, height. Why, that person looks as fit as a fiddle, right? Unfortunately, looks can paint a deceptive picture. Although a medium-built and optimal weight person may appear to be incredibly fit, they may not be flexible, have enough stamina or be able to maintain a different style of exercise as someone who appears to be a bit larger or out of shape.
The strongest football player might fail miserably at yoga for example. Well-rounded fitness requires well-balanced flexibility, mind-over-matter mind awareness, reflex action and reaction speed, determination, concentration, focus and a respect for the art of growing. Karate classes teach fitness as a whole unit because without one component in working order, the fitness of the student is off balance.
The Tales of the Tape
If you have thought of enrolling in a martial arts class with the expectation of becoming a master of fists of fury disaster, think again and reevaluate. Any martial arts discipline is designed to teach one core concept from which all other extensions will follow upon committed, successful testing, Kumite, and kata.
- With this lesson, you can create a body, soul and mind that are all physically, mentally, and morally fit.
- The second lesson learned from a martial arts class is “self-defend first, avoid if possible and fight only when appropriate.”
- Cross-fitness physical training is used in combination to maintain each student’s stamina, agility, speed, and strength.
The lifelong physical benefits of this type of body training include curtailing and avoiding the chances of becoming obese, losing bone density, stiff joints or developing arthritic afflictions, and bronchial conditions.
The mental physique will also gain from karate or similar classes as self-composure, confidence, and independence all fend off depression, anxiety, introversion, and overall feelings of worthlessness.
The Storybook Ending
Martial arts films are fast paced, full of tricks and kicks, punches, lunges, and maneuvers unfathomable. There is cultural truth behind these scripts and although most of the choreographed fight sequences can have the viewer rooting for the underdog to apply some ancient move to end the confrontation, sometimes the best endings can be found in the most peaceful way possible:
“So, the Sun retired behind a cloud, and the Wind began to blow as hard as it could upon the traveler. But the harder he blew the more closely did the traveler wrap his cloak round him, till at last the Wind had to give up in despair. Then the Sun came out and shone in all his glory upon the traveler, who soon found it too hot to walk with his cloak on.” The Fable of the Wind and the Sun. Aesop 6th century c. 580 B.C.E.
FMAC would be pleased to have you, your child or your entire family, classroom or social group/team enroll in our diverse training and classes offered. Special introductory rates always apply, and with our professionally trained lineup of instructors, you have assured only the highest standards around for all levels of physical fitness.