If you think of martial arts (and are a non-martial art practitioner), usually what comes to mind are powerful, sophisticated, sometimes even aggressive forms of self-defense and physical combat. But what is not so commonly known is that martial arts can also be a great support for more balance, relaxation and inner peace.
In fact, martial arts were taught to Buddhist monks at the Shao Lin temple as a way for them to defend themselves but also to be more balanced, healthy and relaxed. As the monks focused only on meditation and spiritual expansion, they were lacking a physical balance. With the help of martial arts they were able to find a balance between their physical and spiritual development and optimizing their well-being on both levels. Martial arts was introduced to them to empower them when needed, strengthening their minds and bodies as physical weapons.
The image of being overly aggressive, violent and angry that some martial arts such as Karate or Kung Fu possess is an image solely drawn by the media and does not resemble the truth in any sense. While it is true that martial arts are a form of combat, all of them also contain a deeply spiritual core and teach humility, respect, and honor for your opponent.
Of course, there are many physical benefits to any martial arts practice, but let us take a deeper look into the mental benefits of the martial arts practice and see how it is able to calm the mind, restore inner peace and helps to live a life of balance and relaxation.
Staying calm in the midst of chaos
One thing almost every form of martial arts, whether Taekwondo, Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu or Kung Fu teaches is to remain calm amidst chaos and adversity. If you want to master any martial art, you have to learn how to control your nervous system and your internal stress response. If you want to fight and attack your opponent successfully, you have to keep your head when others around you are losing theirs.
Just as yoga and meditation teach you to remain calm, centered and balanced, so does martial arts by learning to identify and control your internal responses via your breath.
Teaches the art of slowing down and letting go
No martial arts use useless and uncontrolled motions, as this would be a complete waste of energy and would make oneself vulnerable and a target for attack. Movements can be extremely fast and powerful, but they always serve the purpose of defending oneself and are never executed without a clear goal.
Tai Chi, a slow form of martial arts is about going with the flow and fluid movements while respecting one’s own physical limitations. Tai Chi harmonizes the union of opposing forces - of rigidity and fluidity and of slowness and fastness. Tai Chi aims at creating a unity with one’s essential nature and thereby releasing the body’s intrinsic energies. Only when we are able to slow down during the process and
Finding your inner center: Balance your emotions
A lot of martial arts like Aikido revolve around finding one’s inner center, the dantien. In eastern philosophy, the dantien is located below the belly button. Finding and balancing your inner center is crucial to master martial arts, as it is seldom about physical strength and power and more often about finding that inner balance in the core from which all other strength stems. Once you have found this inner center, you will be able to operate from it more efficiently.
Often it is said that our dantien is also our gut feeling, our intuition, and inner voice. Operating from the dantien, therefore, brings us more in alignment with who we truly are at our core essence and helps us to make more confident choices in alignment with ourselves. The dantien helps to be balanced in our emotional responses and ride the waves of change, as we remain calm and centered in our core.
Self-Defense: What could be more relaxing?
While most actual martial arts practices, except for maybe Tai Chi or Qi Gong, are less relaxing and require a lot of physical activity, the relaxation comes after the practice, as the released endorphins and adrenaline during practice help us to lower the stress hormone cortisol and release physical stress symptoms from the body.
Moreover, real relaxation comes with continuous training and mastering the art of self-defense. Honestly, what could be more relaxing than the feeling of knowing you are able to defend yourself if you have to? You just build up a safety net within yourself.
Combat mental illnesses
Many martial arts are proven to fight mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, leading to a more balanced sense of self. Martial arts like tai chi focus on the breath and physical sensations in the body, which helps to quiet negative thoughts racing through the mind and increases body awareness. The meditative aspects of Tai Chi have the same benefits as a seated meditation, which is also a proven practice to fight depression and improve overall well-being.
Martial arts have a stigma around them of being harsh, rigid and aggressive that doesn’t prove to be true. As you can see, there are many benefits of martial arts that actually make you less aggressive and more calm, peaceful and relaxed. When practiced with consistency, martial arts has the power to transform the practitioner’s well-being.
Thinking about trying the wonderful relaxing and balancing benefits of martial arts?
We offer many classes that put focus on your physical and mental well-being. Everyone can join, no experience needed. Just reserve your ticket here and see you soon in class.
Written by Clara Malzer