Martial arts are a great way for kids to express their energy. They also teach them to respect their peers and instructors. They learn to focus on their task at hand and rid their minds of distractions. This helps them in school and life as they become more independent and self-sufficient.
Most martial arts are rooted in Asian culture and are influenced by Buddhism and Daoism. They originated as a form of self defense and spiritual training. The Shao-lin monks are accredited with the first categorization of martial arts moves. They wanted to teach these skills to their monks for the sake of non-aggression, self defense, and physical fitness. These techniques eventually found their way into Okinawa, China, Japan and Korea.
Many martial arts are striking sports that rely on kicks and punches. Examples include boxing, karate, kickboxing and Muay Thai. Martial arts can help you stay loose and mobile, which will benefit you in other sports such as running or cycling. Practicing these movements also corrects muscle imbalances like left-handedness or over-development of your dominant side.
Martial arts can help you deal with stress and anxiety by teaching you to be present in the moment. Most martial arts require focused attention, so distractions melt away. Many students report a reduction in their frustration, tension and anxiety levels after practicing martial arts. They feel more confident in their ability to handle stressful situations. Additionally, the self-discipline that you develop through martial arts will transfer to other aspects of your life.