Health & Fitness Archives - Page 3 of 4

The benefits of martial arts outweigh the physical.

How Martial Arts Will Benefit More Than Just Your Physical Health

By David Roy Kelly on July 15, 2018 Health & Fitness

People study martial arts for a variety of reasons. Some turn to the arts to build confidence, while others seek out the skills to defend themselves. Generally, physical activity provides positive effects on mental health and stability. That is why MMA athletes and coaches believe that the sport requires both the body and mind. According to the Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences Journal, studies found a significant correlation between martial arts and self-confidence. Martial arts play a host of benefits that go beyond learning defense. In fact, a huge body of research shows that exercise can release the “feel food” chemicals…

Effective nutrition for fighters

Your Body Is An Engine – Give It The Right Fuel

By David Roy Kelly on May 30, 2018 Nutrition

Effective nutrition for fighters is set to become a lot more than just balancing your macronutrients. An April 2018 study by the USA’s National Institute of Health has found the secret to fight or flight, and it all lies in the power of a specific part of your brain. It just so happens that you can hone the efficiency of that gray matter through putting the right food in your body. This is one of dozens of small quirks of the human body that you can tune your nutrition to cater for. Everybody is different, with their own strengths and weaknesses. Using…

To lift or not to lift? That is the question.

Weight Training for Martial Arts

By David Roy Kelly on April 7, 2018 Health & Fitness

by Phillip Starr No, this isn’t a “how to” article; dozens and dozens of good books have already been written on the subject of weight lifting and more than few on weight training for martial arts. It’s actually about “resistance training”, which a large number of neijia stylists (those who practice taijiquan, baguazhang, or xingyiquan) firmly believe is counter-productive to acquiring real skill in their particular discipline. Foo Past masters of these arts regularly used resistance exercises to toughen and strengthen certain muscles and muscle groups. There’s no such animal as a martial art that requires NO STRENGTH to be…

Mental Health and Fitness through Martial Arts

How Jiu-Jitsu can help your mental health?

By David Roy Kelly on February 15, 2018 Combat Sport, Health & Fitness

by Ron Drumgoole from breakinggrips.com Today we have a much greater awareness of depression in our society. People who suffer from depression are continuously urged to reach out to friends and family and to stay connected. Sport and exercise is one of the best ways to stay connected. In my own Jiu-Jitsu school I am aware that a number of my teammates and training partners occasionally suffer with depression. However, each one of them has found great solace in Jiu-Jitsu. Most of them credit the martial art for helping to keep their depression in check and in some cases even saving…

Learn the origin, characteristics and how to perform Liu Zi Jue

Liu Zi Jue, the Six Healing Sounds

By David Roy Kelly on December 10, 2017 Healing Arts, Health & Fitness, Qigong

Introduction Liu Zi Jue is a traditional Chinese health practice. Liu Zi Jue or Six Healing Sounds is an exercise that regulates and controls the rise and fall of Qi inside the body and related in halation and exhalation through different mouth forms. The six healing sounds are “XU, HE, HU,SI, CHUI and XI” and their aim is the strengthening of the liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys and sanjiao (the three portions of the body cavities housing the internal organs). The exercises are designed to be completed slowly, gently, with extended and graceful movements. Practitioners of these exercises report not…

Learn Yi Jin Jing for Health the Muscle Tendon Changing Classic

Learn the Yi Jin Jing, Tendon, Muscle Strengthening Exercises

By David Roy Kelly on October 21, 2017 Healing Arts, Health & Fitness, Qigong

Introduction Yi Jin Jing is an exercise from ancient China. The features of this classical traditional Chinese health practice include extended, soft and even movements that flex the spine invigorate the limbs and internal organs. As an exercise it should be performed in a way that integrates the mind, body and spirit, during the practice practitioners must remain relaxed. If you would like to learn Yi Jin Jing there are a number of special qigong retreats where this is possible. This article details guidance from the Chinese Health Qigong Association on how to best perform the exercise. The origins According to…

Ba Duan Jin a powerful health and healing practice

Learn Ba Duan Jin

By David Roy Kelly on September 21, 2017 Healing Arts, Health & Fitness, Qigong

Introduction Ba Duan Jin or Eight section exercises dates back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Ba Duan Jin is characterised by easy movements and impressive health benefits for practitioners that dedicated themselves to correct and regular practice. Clinical tests undertaken in China have proven the medical benefits of Ba Duan Jin practice. These include improvements to the respiratory system, limb strength, flexibility of the joints and fortification of the nerves as well as overall enhanced balance. Improved cardiovascular function from consistent practice helps cure coronary artery scleroses and osteoporosis. Other benefits include strengthening the immune system and increasing overall longevity…

Only by eating right will you become tight!

Eat Right, Make it Tight

By David Roy Kelly on March 10, 2017 Health & Fitness, Nutrition

by Bryan Balandowich It seemed fitting that with the first chapter being about starting the New Year right, and hint: this writing is full of many metaphors, a New year is not just Dec.31st, but can be any day, only you can tell yourself what day it is so to speak. Time in the grand universe is relative. Body Back Guarantees One of the biggest topics during this time of year is getting in or back into shape. Gym memberships sell hard and customers go for broke to get that beach body. Problem is that unless you’re living in the tropics,…

Journey to the West: Conquering your own fitness and training demons

Start the New Year Right, Make it Tight

By David Roy Kelly on February 28, 2017 Health & Fitness

by Bryan Balandowich “The martial arts are ultimately self-knowledge. A punch or a kick is not to knock the hell out of the guy in front, but to knock the hell out of your ego, your fear or your hang-ups” – Bruce Lee Reflect on the past year Sit down. Close your eyes, and reflect on this past year. Are you the person you wanted to be a year ago? The only constant in life is change and in more practical terms and better to set a stage for our discourse, the great Director Steven Spielberg once intimated, “All of…

Reasons to track your fitness and the best tech to use

3 Reasons to Track Your Fitness

By David Roy Kelly on September 10, 2016 Health & Fitness, Training Equipment

Today there are so many fitness trackers available for you to choose from various bands, watches and apps. All these gadgets are equipped with accelerometers and sensors to track you all day (and night) long. But do they really work or are they just a gimmick? Here are 3 reasons why if used correctly they can help you become fitter and healthier. 1. You can see your fitness goals: It’s one thing to have a sense of how healthy you are, but it’s another thing to see the numbers. Many fitness trackers can record your steps, calories burned, and sleep,…