What Are The Benefits Of Karate?
Karate is first and foremost a martial art and then a sport, which means that the benefits of karate affect those who practice it on a global level, not just physically.
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Karate Benefits
Karate practice promotes the development of a healthy character and a discipline that teaches how to face sacrifices, resist efforts without complaining, and overcome obstacles with increasing determination and tenacity without ever giving up.
Karate teaches self-control, focusing on one’s weaknesses and improving day by day, putting oneself on the line, pushing one’s limits, and increasing self-confidence.
There are no shortcuts or prizes: there is a lot of work to be done and the end result is personal growth that is unrelated to medals or external awards.
Karate training is not only physical, but also mental and spiritual, and it provides benefits that improve one’s daily life, let’s discover them!
Physical Benefits
Karate improves a variety of physical qualities, including agility, flexibility, reflexes, balance, coordination, and motor skills.
During the fast and athletic movements of the entire body, the legs and arms are used to deliver kicks and punches with millimeter accuracy.
For example learning how to punch correctly requires and develops a number of physical-motor improvement processes that include and refine the same fundamental motor properties as tenacity, reflection, and a sense of balance.
Social Benefits
The benefits of karate, regardless of age group, have an impact on the social aspect of life: karate training for children and adults is communal and creates a sense of solidarity and healthy competition, and it is precisely because of this that friendships formed on the tatami also last outside of it.
This collective practice enhances a sense of belonging and, as a result, works to counteract the competitive nature of other sports.
To improve one’s defense actions, one is taught to intuit the partner’s thought process from the very first attack and defense exercises with a partner. The practice that favors much of the discipline or art is added to all of this.
Benefits for kids
Karate is both a martial art and a sport, but when children practice it, it becomes both a daily life lesson and a game.
One of the many advantages of karate for kids is its ability to get them in shape and keep them active while also allowing them to channel their energies in a positive way.
The most important benefits of karate for kids are:
– increases decision-making power.
– improves school performance.
– increases leadership.
– improves coordination and flexibility.
– orientates towards the achievement of objectives.
– increases self-esteem.
– teaches respect for oneself and for others.
The development of a child’s self-image, self-discipline, and self-control are all factors that can have a significant impact on a boy or girl’s happiness.
Karate can assist them in achieving their objectives; additionally, martial arts can provide the physical and mental tools necessary to counteract any acts of aggression or bullying.
The execution of kata, which develop specifically in various directions by engaging the entire body in a symmetrical manner, is both a fun way of learning and a correct and balanced physical exercise for the child karateka.
The gym becomes a place where one learns to face others by first respecting, understanding, and accepting them.
It is not about attacking the other person or expressing aggression; rather, a child learns to control himself and express himself adequately, to face small difficulties, to know himself in order to then be able to know others, to overcome shyness or to control one’s exuberance.
We have just seen the benefits for children, but they are not the only ones who benefit from this martial art! Let’s see the benefits for adults.
Benefits for adults
Karate has numerous advantages for anyone who practices it, including adults:
Training, that is not only physical but also mental and spiritual, provides advantages that improve daily life.
– Karate training improves decision-making abilities.
– Karate teaches us how to control our weight and resistance, as well as how to build a strong, muscular, and toned body.
– Karate also aids in the acquisition of self-defense techniques and the development of the ability to act under stress, such as stress management.
– It also boosts self-confidence, leadership ability, and mental calm.
Attending Dojo allows you to make new friends and enjoy a positive environment that will aid in the establishment of a state of superior well-being.
Psychological aspect
The philosophy that underpins karate and other martial arts can be summarized as follows:
those who are truly strong do not need to prove it through fights or aggressive behavior both in and out of the “dojo.”
Martial arts have a lot to offer to psychological therapy, particularly in terms of energy (chi or ki). An important aspect is effective energy management. The concepts of distance and time are added to this.
Mind and body integration, relaxation, attention, and communication are all enhanced by the practice. Karate practice reduces anger and the perception of vulnerability to attacks. Furthermore, our movements are intimately related to our conformation and personality.
Given the main teaching of karate, this discipline is also used by medical experts for its therapeutic properties regarding social deviations.
When should my child start karate?
It is best to begin the practice no earlier than 5 years old, when the child has learned the function of the various parts of the body and has developed coordination skills, has begun to perceive left and right, and has acquired balance and direction. At this stage, karate is taught in a playful manner.
If you bring children before the age of 5 instead of real karate they will first do a motor starting period (which is essential both for children and for those who have never practiced sports, whatever age they are)
Summary
The numerous benefits of karate make it ideal and recommended for people of all ages, both for physical and motor development and for social and interpersonal development.
The advantages of practicing this discipline can be summed up in seven key points:
– improvement of cardiovascular endurance
– increase in muscle strength
– strengthening of physical and mental balance
– increased flexibility
– improvement of coordination
– strengthening of discipline
– increased mental focus
In your opinion, are there more complete sports than karate?
