Thursday, April 1, 2021

Martial Arts and Cross Training -- Chief Instructor's Blog April 2021

 

Can cross training improve your martial arts?  Yes.

Will cross-training improve your martial arts.  It depends.

What do I mean by this?

If you are practicing or participating in other activities and have identified the goal on how it will improve your martial arts and practice with those items in mind so it becomes natural, then yes, it can improve your martial arts.  If you are just participating to participate, then it probably will not and in fact may actually hold you back in your martial arts.

Let’s look at a couple of examples. 

Running

Running can help improve your cardiovascular endurance and build leg strength, so in theory it can help you in your martial arts.  But will it?  If you are focused on controlling your breathing, explosive sprints, remaining grounded, run from your center, staying focused on the running and being present, then it can help in your martial arts.  If you are just out for a leisurely jog and not focused on your breathing, being grounded, etc., then it will not and in fact may hold you back in your martial arts.  

Yoga

Yoga can help improve your breathing, balance, flexibility, and muscular strength, so in theory it can help you in your martial arts.  But will it?  If you control your breathing even when a pose becomes straining, remain focused on the present moment in every pose, remain grounded and work from your center in every pose, challenge yourself to try new poses even if you think they may be difficult or you cannot them do at first, then it can help in your martial arts.  In addition, if you let you mind wander, release the pose when it starts getting tough, disconnect from your breathing or center throughout the pose, then it will not help and in fact may hold you back in your martial arts.

Motorcycle Racing

Motorcycle racing can help with your mental focus, breathing, using your entire body as one, staying in the game and never giving up (even if you are at the back of the pack), checking your ego at the door, and providing you with a real understanding of your skill.  But will it?  If you control your breathing even when adrenaline is high, remain focused on the present moment for the entire race, are one with the motorcycle and use your entire body as one, ensure stay in tune with your abilities and do not over exaggerate what you are capable of while keeping a positive mindset, then it can help in your martial arts.  If you do not control your breathing, if you overexaggerate your skill (which in a motorcycle race, can mean severe injury or death), if you do not stay in the race until it is over and give up before the finish line, then it will not help and in fact may hold you back in your martial arts.

Martial arts are not just a practice but a way of life, so if you participate in other activities and incorporate the fundamentals of martial arts, then it can help your martial arts practice.  The more you do in your life where you breathe evenly, have body awareness, are grounded, focused on the present moment, the more these principles will be part of everything you do.  And once that occurs, you are no longer practicing a martial art but have become a martial artist.

Regards,

Kelly

"The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things." ~ Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584 –1645) - famous Japanese swordsman, the author of The Book of Five Rings