Category: Arts

The name Martial Arts comes from the Roman god of war Mars . But today, most who practice the art do so for peaceful purposes such as self defense training, exercise or to bring balance to mind and body.

Even with peaceful purposes in mind, though, there is a good chance you will sustain injury.

According to Go for Your Life.com (an Internet site dedicated to increasing health), karate and kickboxing account for about half of all martial arts injuries . Some injuries are sustained during sparring, many during normal training (or kihon) and kata (or forms). And while you might expect cuts and bruises during sparring or matched competition, you are more likely to be hampered with repetitive strain injury, especially if you are over 30. Repetitive strain comes from repeating the same movements again and again. So even if you never compete, you could be hit with injury while training. Below are some of the most common:

* Sprained ankles come from being off balance or not executing a kick or jump correctly
* Plantar fasciitis is a bruising or overstretching of the plantar fascia ligament that runs along the sole of the foot. This injury is particularly common in martial arts, and it comes from overwork. The pain can be excruciating and never ending. If left untreated, it can also take weeks or months to heal.
* Strains – injury to muscle or tendon. For example, a muscle may tear from the rapid stop that occurs when you make contact with an opponent or object.
* Knee injuries – caused by the bent-knee stance typical of most martial arts and the use of forceful kicks that can injure the joint if not done properly .

Martial Arts; Wikipedia. Found September 26, 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts

Martial arts – preventing injury; Go for Your Life. Found September 27, 2007

http://www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au/hav/articles.nsf/pages/Martial_arts_preventing_injury?open

How can you prevent and treat injury?

There are some things you can do to prevent injury and to treat injury when it strikes. As your instructor will tell you, warming up and stretching before you train or compete is essential. But ensuring that your body is healthy and in balance is also essential. Martial arts require strength, speed and all-over movement and mobility. If your body is hampered by old injury or tight, inflexible muscles and tendons, not only will you run the risk of injury, you will not be able to kick as high or bend as far. Nor will you execute your forms the way they were intended.

If you have never heard of Structural Integration, it is a form of deep bodywork with roots that reach back as far as marital arts, itself. Ancient Greek, Roman and Asian cultures practiced bodywork and massage to increase overall health and to help athletes and warriors perform at peak levels.

The purpose of structural integration is to identify current and potential problem areas, and treat them within the context of the whole body. Old injuries limit your range of motion while weak, underused areas make you vulnerable to future injury. What the ancient Greeks, Romans and Asians understood — and todays structural therapist understands is that your body is completely connected. If your upper back, for example, is tight and tender from lifting children or heavy objects, it will have an affect on your lower back and your whole bodys ability to balance itself and move freely.

Those limitations will naturally limit your ability to move about, exercise and practice the art of Karate (or any of the martial arts).

What can I do for you?

When you visit my office, I will spend some time up front discussing your lifestyle (how long you spend sitting each day, whether you lift heavy objects or sit in front of a computer, etc.), your physical limitations and your past injuries. Then, together you and I will design a structural program, which will free you of pain, create new strength and balance in your body.After your structural sessions are complete, you will feel ease and power at the core of your body. Your kihon and kata will be graceful, free and precise as they were intended.

The Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Survey carried out in 2008 suggested that Jaipur is the 7th best city to visit in Asia. It is also the capital as well as the largest city of Rajasthan. The city is popularly known as the Pink City due to its impressive building painted in pink. The distinct architecture, royal tradition, geography, cuisine, performing arts, temples, forts and monuments attract innumerable foreign visitors in the city. Find out about the different impressive facets of Jaipur Rajasthan India that make it a sought after destination for foreign travelers.

What Do Foreign Visitors Enjoy Most in Jaipur in Rajasthan (India)

Here is the list of major attractions of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India, that invite multitude of foreign visitors to the city:

Monuments:-Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Amber Fort, Jal Mahal, Rambagh Palace and Albert Hall Museum are among the most visited monuments in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Jantar Mantar, an observatory featuring a collection of astronomical equipments built by Maharaja (King) Jai Singh II, is appreciated by increasing number of tourists the entire year. Such monuments represent the intellect and the strategic minds of the royal kings.

Architecture:-The city is well-planned and designed according to the Vastu Shastra (Vedic planning) for the prosperity of the people. The historical glory of the city and the battles can be observed from the embattled walls, rugged hills with ancient forts on the top. Scenic beauty and historical landscape make pleasant subject for the photographers also.

Temples:-Religious centers in Jaipur can be found in every corner of the city. However, Govind Dev Ji temple, Shri Kali temple and Galtaji, are the temples where millions of foreign visitors have been to seek blessing.

Shopping:-The city impresses thousands of foreign visitors with its distinct arts and crafts too. Traditional saree and salwar kameez in fabric accented with crafts, such as bandhani (tie and die), block printing are produced and sold in bulk. Decorative pieces prepared using the art of stone carving, sculpture make important part of interior of almost every house in Jaipur. The city takes pride for its precious silver jewelry, gems, kundan and even meenakari.

Cuisines:-Jaipur, Rajasthan India has introduced mouthwatering cuisine to the world including the famous dish of dal-baati chruma. However, the city is well known for its sweet servings such as ghevar, feeni, moong thal and chauguni ke laddu also.

Festivity:-With the onset of 2012, the city hosted the 6th Jaipur Literature Festival in January 2012. It is considered one of the biggest literary festivals in Asia. World famous celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey hosted shows and attracted massive crowd. Apart from this, the city celebrates popular events such as Kite festival, Teej festival, Shitla Mata fair (religious) and Elephant fair.

Most entrepreneurs are providing exciting option of home stay vacations in Jaipur (Rajasthan, India). Foreign visitors can relish the rich culture and tradition of the city with a local Indian family. Although the services offered and ambience would be world class, hotel fare is highly affordable.

Local villagers welcome you like their own family; prepare food according to your choice whereas tourism provider would organize traditional entertainment as per the packages you choose.

It is advisable to seek recommendations for reliable and experienced home stay vacation organizers.

If you would like to explore the authentic, traditional, Jaipur Rajasthan in India, you can visit www.cultureaangan.com. The company offers unique travel packages that come with accommodation with the local villagers in well designed farm houses. All their packages are comprehensive in nature and very affordable. Visit the website to seek feedback about their stay touring experiencing with the Culture Aangan.

For Preschoolers Finding it tough to find a program that offers appropriate martial arts for pre-schoolers? Then look no further than Studios Group Martial Arts (SGMA) Calgary. Our Lil’ Dragons program is specifically designed for children as young as four. Our emphasis on rewarding success keeps children motivated and encourages them to stay positive and try hard. As well, our individualized program accounts for the physical and mental condition of each student and allows all children to see success. Parents will see noticeable improvements in both the physical coordination and the attitude of their child. Here are some of the benefits of our martial arts program for pre-schoolers: a special belt stripe incentive that teaches children that a good attitude and positive work ethic will be rewarded; improved fitness and coordination; beautiful, full-colour certificates and trading cards with each new belt level; successful transition into children’s program; and viewing area for parents. Our -Stripe- system on the children’s belts rewards the students in many ways. First children are constantly being encouraged by their success, this helps with their retention and desire to always want to come to class. Second, as Instructors we are able to assess what each individual child needs to work on. This individualization of the program allows ALL children to be successful. Third, stripes are given for both good attitudes and proper techniques. Fourthly, all of students receive beautiful full color certificates and full color trading cards with each new belt level which they are very proud of. Lastly, after the children achieve all the stripes and belts they then can successfully move up to the regular children’s program even before they turn 6 years old or begin grade 1. For Kids: At Studios Group Martial Arts Calgary, we know providing martial arts for kids is an exciting and motivating way to help them develop to their mental and physical best. Our taekwondo instructors focus on technique and teach actual martial arts. This means students get in shape through advanced kicks, strikes, blocks, and self-defence moves. Because we offer the highest instructor-to-student ratio that other Calgary schools cannot match, our instructors are able to spend quality time with each student. Students attend two 1-hour classes per week and receive formal certification with each new belt. Any student who attends and trains regularly can achieve a real Black Belt (with formal certification from the World Taekwondo Federation in Korea) within 2-4 years. We have several different programs teaching martial arts for kids in the Calgary area, including: a regular martial arts for kids program with a progressive curriculum that allows student to develop in a logical and systematic manner; an advanced martial arts for kids program that allows student to train up to five days/week and learn to become instructors or competitors. Studios Group Martial Arts Calgary is a martial arts school that maintains the traditional martial arts values while incorporating advanced and modern martial arts training and teaching methods.

Many are familiar with Chinese martial arts either through their exposure to the arts via kung fu movies or through theatrical presentations of wushu. While both presentations are rooted in the classic traditional Chinese martial arts, the original form of the arts are much different than what we see today.

The origins of Chinese martial arts are somewhat incomplete since many written records were lost or destroyed over the years. In some cases, the original records were never recorded in the first place meaning we are left to speculate on how some martial arts came to be.

Most records do point to the original Five Animal styles, tiger, leopard, snake, dragon, and crane as being the original systems of kung fu. These systems were a hybrid of yoga training combined with traditional Chinese military approaches to grappling and striking. The concept of the arts was that they were to appeal to people based on physical attributes and psychological dispositions. For example, tiger style was designed for strong aggressive types while snake system was for weaker and sneakier individuals. Of course, there was no rule against mixing and matching components of the Five Animal styles and we see this in arts such as Wing Chun which fuses snake and crane and hung gar which fuses tiger and crane.

Another common misconception associated with the Chinese martial arts is that they are intended solely for fighting. To arrive at such a conclusion would entail ignoring the many philosophical underpinnings of the Chinese martial arts. There is a significant Taoist and Zen influence on the arts. One component to such influence would be the moving meditative aspect found in the forms of the arts. Frequently, the performance of forms is intended for self reflection and pondering. The hope here would be to attain enlightenment in a manner different from the seated, dull form of traditional meditation.

Health and physical fitness was a large part of the study of Chinese martial arts. Enhanced flexibility and increased isometric strength were routinely the goals of the performance of kung fu exercises. These exercises were not easy but their difficulty levels could be modified to meet the needs of the practitioner. Ultimately, the improvement of one’s physical condition would translate into a strong body. Certainly, a strong body can prove more capable than a weak one when self defense becomes an issue.

The concept of the difficulty of the training is not limited to the physical benefits. The notion that a person is able to conquer’ the physical limitations present in training opens the door to developing the character strength needed to be successful in other trying endeavors in life. Many consider this component to be the most important aspect of training in the Chinese martial arts.

It is this that has drawn many people to study the arts over the years. While the perception of the arts have changed over the years due to the infusion of sportive training and theatrical presentations, the traditional approach to the arts still endures. This is a positive thing as the traditional components still have great value in modern times.

There is an ongoing craze worldwide to put premium on health. People of Tampa are in the front line when it comes to this health consciousness trend. With the increasing number of existing lifestyle diseases, we should really change the way we live.

One way that we can do this is through an active lifestyle. Engaging in sports, recreational activities, and exercise programs such as jogging, aerobics, and going to the gym are some of the things that we can do. But for those who like taking it to the extremes, you can take martial arts training sessions and classes.

Contrary to what our common assumptions are, martial arts is not only about engaging in combat, competitions, tournaments and self-defense. Martial arts like brazilian jiu jitsu, gracie jiu jitsu, karate, judo, muay thai, kickboxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts or MMA instill values such as focus, respect, discipline, concentration, self-control, teamwork as well as improved coordination, memory, and balance.

Aside from these, martial arts is also known to have lots of health benefits. The British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that adults in the 40s and 50s age group who engages in martial arts training exhibited astonishing levels of physical fitness compared with people from the same age group who do not engage even in the slightest forms of exercise. Results also showed that the participants of the study who practiced martial arts have 12% less body fat, can do twice as much sit ups, have enhanced leg strength and flexibility, and most importantly, showed a stronger immune system.

Here is a list of common martial arts classes and the health benefits that accompany them:

– Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Gracie Jiu Jitsu–physical strength, endurance, flexibility and speed

– Mixed Martial Arts–aerobic and anaerobic cardiovascular endurance, cardio health, muscle endurance and muscle strength

– Karate–cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, exercise for the heart, mucles, and bones

– Judo–Weight loss, reduced risks of obesity and heart diseases, increased metabolic rate and muscle growth

-Muay Thai–Core strength, balance, flexibility, and functional strength, cardiovascular benefits, blood circulation, combating type 2 diabetes

– Kickboxing–Cardiovascular and aerobic workout

– Wrestling–Faster metabolism, increased caloric expenditure, burns fat, gains lean muscles

These martial arts namely brazilian jiu jitsu, gracie jiu jitsu, karate, judo, muay thai, kickboxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts or MMA are but a few of the wide array of martial arts type available in Tampa, Florida. One place that offers classes on brazilian jiu jitsu, gracie jiu jitsu, karate, judo, muay thai, kickboxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts or MMA is Evolution Martial Arts. Evolution Martial Arts is an institution that offers after school pickup programs as well as adult classes. Their after school pickup classes is very student and child friendly. Evolution Martial Arts pick up your child at school, work on homework, then teach them martial arts! Their adult classes are rigorous yet fun, giving working people a stress reliever activity that gives mental and physical benefits.

There you go people of Tampa. Improve your health conditions in a fun, relaxing, and enjoying way!

Evolution Martial Arts
14436 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 961-5245
www.graciebarraevolution.com