Topic: Karate- Does it improve Health (Physical/Mental)

[Icy]

I'm with little h here HANDS OFF - anyone who gets too close to my locks will regret it

Having said that, little h - just think how much we must spend each year on hair stuff compared to the hommes!
And anyway, what was wrong with Demi in GI? I thought she looked well hard! Does that make you scared Giz?

[gizmo]

Icy-It certainly does

[Azzy_Stealth]

Hmm  

Demi Moore in Gi Jane was an attractive look, although nothing could really make her look ugly.

But it does not suit all Femms.
 

[Moley]

Should Karate training as we do it be a way of getting into shape/getting fit/staying fit. Should we advertise it as such, (Other styles/clubs do i.e a great way of losing those pounds for people from 7 to 70)

Or

Should you get fit to do Karate ?

[Huw]

Should you get fit to do Karate ?

Yes.

Karte is a great way of staying fit - but if your out of shape I believe it's up to the individual to do something about it.

The problem with using fitness as a marketing ploy is the danger of ending up with something akin to Wednesday's 'Kick Ass Combat' in the JJB gym. I've discussed the matter with Wednesday and the idea was for 'Kick Arse Combat' - i.e. shed weight aorund bum/hips area through vaguely martial arts based moves (performed to music). Not my cup of tea but ..... The marketing people changed the title to 'Kick Ass' !!! I rest my case !! Marketing - the work of the devil. Discuss !!

Pls be careful replying to this - I don't want to see Seki in court with JJB Sports !!!

[gizmo]

Moley - Getting fit for karate is the only way. As Huw states once you have achieved a certain level of fitness you can maintain it pretty well with regular karate training.

For example if you are carrying too much weight the only way to get rid of it is by putting in the hard yards (running, cycling, rowing e.t.c.). Karate training (if you are doing it properly) will not burn sufficient calories to promote significant weight loss.

A little resistance training is also essential, especially as we get older. This slows down the loss of muscle bulk and maintains your ability to burn calories.

[Moley]

Quote Mole bach in last night's session.

"This is a Karate Dojo
This is NOT an aerobics class"

I was then expecting him to go on with

"Pain does not exist in this Dojo
Fear does not exist in this Dojo   "  etc etc

 

[Lloydie]

Having missed much of this week's training, I can certainly attest to the mental well-being side of things.  I have been very twitchy and impatient with people this week.  This is not my normal state of mind and, although work has been really demanding the last few weeks, I can only put this twitchiness down to not training at the club.  I have been training on an individual level - the makiwara has taken its toll this week - but it has not felt "right".  Hard to explain really, but brings me more to the view that what we get out of karate is not simply explained by the endorphine "high" that can be attributed to other sports.

Lloydie

[Shari]

Fitness/ Karate.

While having my little holiday in YG I found out a few things about my fitness. One of the question asked by the doc was "do you do any exerice" he probably looked at me an over weight mother and thought noway does she exerice, yes I said Karate 2 nights a week and training at home, that shut him up for a while.  After a few more ECG's X ray and US scan (as I have a heart murmur) they could not find anything wrong to say why my heart rate was so low 43 the only thing they could put it down to is "one of those things". ( and the onion juice )also that my heart has become stronger with the Karate, I realy do think that doing Karate has made my heart fitter, If I had carried on the way I was I would be over 16 stone now. I have now bought an exercise bike for the days the weather is bad that a I can't cycle to work so I do get that extra work out. I also think your mind should also be fit, I had always been negative with my weight and self being, not anymore I try to be possative. I don't think I would have got most of the weight off or achived any belts if I didn't have a fit mind, as I call it.  

FIT MIND, WORKING ON FIT BODY

[Moley]

Doing well Shari

Have you found out how "To sing Bassai Dai" yet ?

I'm waiting !

 

[Shari]

Doing well Shari

Have you found out how "To sing Bassai Dai" yet ?

I'm waiting !

 

  I hoped you had forgotten about it    

[Moley]

O.K.

I'll give you the words to the first verse..you have to come up with the tune !

Bassai Dai !

Pammmmmmm


Tang  - Tang

Tang   - Tang

Taaaaaaaa aaaang  - Tang

Taaaaaa

Tang ta tang  Tang Ta tang

etc

[wani]

Picking up an old, but contemporary line here.

Im wondering!!
Who has found Karate as a good or bad source of escaping-

Fitness
Health problems
Colds

DISCUSS...

Having read all the postings on this one, here is a personal reflection:

a.  Learnt a lot of great technical thinking from the PT interested and professionals, especially agree with Gizmo's comments on 'puttin in the hard yards'

b.  Karate by giving focus to one's ability to improve in a systematic manner, reinforces that other exercise regimes work in the same way - it's the starting or getting back into it that is always the most difficult

c.  As the classes are run to help you improve technique and ability (and push the comfort zone in what you are trying to achieve) what falls out is that you notice your weaknesses and imperfections more clearly. If you seriously want to improve, additional efforts to combat lethargy or slowness of action/reaction, focus or stamina are needed. I also believe that the styles in which the classes are run, improves your mental toughness and determination to improve - there lies a vital key

d.  For those that have noticed the 'quivering lip', I have had a split lip that has refused to heal for the last 18 months, it has buggered up a winning smile    and been a general nuisance, splitting every few days - even have surgery lined up at YG for September. Guess what, the darn thing only went and healed fully over the weekend - that's 48 hours & no medication, just new body behaviour. I read somewhere that with fighting arts in particular, as well as muscle memory, the body can retune its natural defense mechanisms in preparation for combat - in rugby, its called battle hardening - but both the doc and I are astounded at this one. The wound was permanently open with some long medical/latin words justifying catstrophic failure

So Azzie et al, yes, IMHO it does set you up - after all, fitness can be considered directly proportional to motivation. And a good basic (ahem, readjusted) mindset, gives the body great feedback that it is being once again used for what was inteded, testing and stretching. This then, whether through the the release of chemicals/endorphins or motor-neuron circuit commands gives you the impetus to incorporate and substitute other fitness routines when you cannot attend Karate training.

Not sure what you mean by 'escaping' though. Do you mean keeping out of Mole Bach's way coz he uses you for the best demos???

Aside - after some devious & slick instruction, Mole Bach ran Sambon Kumite on Monday for all grades - something that I have been looking fwd to with trepidation, but really enjoyed (so, re: d. above, any 'fresh' facial wounds would now be down to 'lack of control', OK?).                

Rgds,

Wani

[iac]

Yes I feel Karate does improve physical and mental fitness.  I have been training for a number of years now and I know that had I not done Karate then I would not be the person I am now.  I have grown in confidence through the different challanges that gets thrown our way by the Senseis,  I have learned how handle myself in situations that the probable outcome could have been alot worse and make instant judgements at work, it is kind of like speed reflexes.  I have travelled length and breadth of the UK meeting very intersting people and having to run a club, which as all instructors will know, it has helped me to deal with stress, which is what Kata and breathing are about.  I have also learned to condition myself and push myself more and not to give up, crack that "wall" .  I am not a regular gym user but if time allows I'll go, when I teach I allways demonstrate or join in and when I train I am the usual Karateka 110% all the time.  So I feel Karate does improve fitness, I remember a student who used to train with us who was physically and mentally disabled, he spent 3 years training.  When he first came in he was helped in by his parents, when he left he was able to balalnce and walk.   There was a survey done on if Martial Arts in general has any bearing on your fitness levels.  The results were that the average Martial Artist will live longer because of the amount physical and mental activity used(I read this in a newspaper by the way, so I am not sure of the full details of survey and if it is true), anyone heard about it?