Don’t be fooled into thinking martial arts are only physical, or that  you cannot learn to apply martial art concepts and philosophies to your life. If you skip over the physical components, there are two other components that everyone can strive to incorporate into their lives. Let’s save the physical practice for last, and see what else we can learn about living the martial art life.

1. Mindset

Martial arts have a lot of influence on your mind. They help you to believe in yourself. They provide a new perspective. They offer you the chance to become someone you never knew you could be.

They are an interesting tool that help to control your mind. Like a wrench that tightens a screw to just the right capacity, martial arts help you focus your mind so you can achieve and conquer. Your mind adapts to your learning, and then expands into a martial art mindset in daily life.  Whether you are practicing in class, or living your life, your mindfulness becomes stronger, and your mindset becomes invaluable.

This martial art “practice” is not easily taught. No instructor can explain it to you, because it is different for each person. Call it perseverance, patience, diligence, or belief, or maybe a combination thereof, the martial art mindset is an extension of your practice that evolves through maturity and experience.

I’ve had a few rough times in my life. Living in an unfinished house for five years, being told my unborn baby would not survive, putting out fires on my property where I live, and more. If not for my martial art mindset, I would have given up.  I know that my reaction would have been totally different, and that I would be a very different person today, had I not applied this martial art mindset to my life.

The truth is, if I did not have a martial art background, or a martial art focus and mindset, I am sure the outcome in each of this situations would have been much worse. When you believe in yourself, and have confidence in your capabilities, through mindset and positivity, you alter outcomes in your favor.

2. Spiritual

There are many ways you can improve your sense of spirit through martial arts. One obvious way is meditating or reflecting. My Taekwon-Do class always starts and ends this way. While closing my eyes, I can’t always empty my mind, so I visualize a sort of spiritual oasis around me. I imagine a swirling sensation, or an energy, that carries me away from my daily worries and struggles, so I can center on my martial art learning. This spiritual moment does not have to just reveal in the quiet moments of your practice. Once you realize its presence, or its power, it presents itself in all areas of your practice.

In sparring, your fighting spirit is revealed. Although not a subdued kind of energy as in mediation, this personal spirit is the one that realizes survival is all that matters. In patterns or forms, your diligent spirit is revealed. This is the one that pushes you to memorize and perform the very traditional aspects of your art. In kicks, a powerful spirit emerges, as you blast negative energy with each kick.

In my front yard, with nature around me, I often practice martial arts. My kicks are not perfect, but they are mine. This is a time when I can explore not just physicality, but flexibility, balance, increased power, and personality.  I photograph my efforts. That helps me with timing and identifying flaws, but even more, the photos capture my intense spirit. As I practice, over and over, numerous kicks on each leg, there is a spiritual part of me that reminds me, “You are making a positive change in who you are.”

That unique spirituality is personally mine, but every martial artist has experiences that he or she can define as spiritual.

3. Physical

Whenever you work out frequently, you are bound to reap the physical benefits. This is not any different in martial arts. Because martial arts include stretching, flexibility drills, cardio, calisthenics, and more, you get a whole body workout, and before you know it, your body starts to transform.  You feel stronger and more powerful because you work all of the muscle groups.

I love martial arts because they provide different physical benefits from some of the other typical workouts or training. Kicking, for example, works several muscle groups at one time, and they are really fun to do. My legs have gotten stronger the more I practice kicks. And, they are an interesting workout. As one woman in my recent cardio class said, “You don’t see a lot of women practicing kicks, like you do.”

No matter what the physical aspects of a particular style of martial arts are, your body naturally adapts. What once felt unnatural starts to develop and feel more natural. Your overall physical ability in every area improves.  The superbly integrated physical aspects of martial arts  work every muscle group and movement, from fingertips to toes, and everything in between.  Although some practitioners focus on certain aspects of martial arts, such as a flow of movement, sparring, or patterns, physicality will always be the basis, after which they will hone and realize the mindful and spiritual aspects of their practice.

I believe that martial arts are only partly physical. If we break it down as I did here, then perhaps the physical part is only one-third. Most beginners focus on the physical, as it is the starting point. Later, they appreciate the mindfulness and mindset that changes their approach to life in a positive way. One day, when a martial art practitioner’s spirituality or mindfulness emerges, they will understand that there is more than one way to practice a martial art.

xoxo

Andrea

Andrea’s book, The Martial Arts Woman, is now available at www.themartialartswoman.storenvy.com or on Amazon!

The Martial Arts Woman shares the stories and insights of more than twenty-five women in the martial arts, and how they apply martial arts to their lives. This book will motivate and inspire you to go after your goals in life and to fight through every challenge and defeat every obstacle. The Martial Arts Woman will open your eyes to the power of the human spirit and the martial art mindset that dwells in each of us! You can contact Andrea through her website, www.themartialartswoman.com.