Globally, we are facing massive catastrophes in all areas of health care, including chronic illnesses such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, depression, anxiety, and so many more. Many of these issues are a result of sedentary lifestyles and high-fat diets. Though many people view each of these illnesses as separate, they are likely all connected in some way. Health care is expensive and not readily available worldwide, thus we need alternative therapies to combat these chronic illnesses. Carol Fuller in her book Martial Arts and Well-Being, Connecting Communities and Promoting Health, researches over 500 martial arts practitioners of all nationalities, ages, and ranks, coming to the conclusion that martial arts powerfully demonstrates profound influences on the construction of behavior patterns that are directly linked to lifestyle and health (Fuller, 3). From my research of Fuller’s book and Iulius-Cezar Macarie (a mental health professional) and Rob Roberts’ (a senior lecturer of psychology) works, I’ve noticed people join the martial arts to self-improve, join a community of like-minded individuals, and become more physically fit, leading to positive mental and emotional health outcomes.
Most people would love to be extremely smart, well-rounded, cultured, and physically fit, but it’s very difficult to accomplish all of these things. Many people join the martial arts to simply improve themselves in these areas since the martial arts offers physical wellness, health wellness, well-being in general, health awareness, culture, community, and inclusion (Macarie). Other forms of exercise oftentimes don’t integrate all of these things, which is another example of what makes martial arts so special. Think about it – are you getting all these benefits by going to the gym by yourself? This can get boring very quickly, which is why people become interested in activities such as martial arts because it accomplishes many of their self-improvement goals. Additionally, martial arts provide additional self-improvement through complex learning. Fuller states, “A desire for self-improvement through learning, as well as yearning to learn something with perceived depth and layers” is achieved through the martial arts (Fuller, 86). Taking charge of one’s self-improvement gives a person control over all sides of their health and begins their journey to self-mastery, “a sense of resilience and self-efficacy in managing and dealing with issues connected to health and well-being, mastery over the self” (Fuller, 103). Overall, martial arts offer many opportunities to people who wish to self-master and improve themselves in many areas.
Secondly, people are searching for a community of like-minded individuals to share their self-improvement journey with. There are many pieces to the puzzle of the martial arts community, but it all comes down to the goal of the community and the benefits that each person receives. Fuller states, “Groups that practice similar behaviors are essential in bringing people together, reinforcing bonds promoting an important sense of self" (Fuller, 85). By being involved in a community with similar goals, people bond together and push each other, exerting importance individually and on one another. Additionally, many new students find this community empowering. This is an excellent representation of my experience of the martial arts community. I joined when I was an extremely shy, anxious, and stubborn eight-year-old. By discovering my martial arts community, I was empowered and pushed out of my comfort zone, helping me to blossom and experience great success inside and outside the dojo. As Fuller says, “Learning discipline and control over the self can empower the shy, embolden the bullied and give a sense of physical confidence to those that do not feel this was usually” (Fuller, 93). Therefore, we need to keep in mind as a martial arts community that by welcoming a new student, we are not only promoting their martial arts success, but also their personal success by supporting them in all ways. This is something I think we do great at, which is yet another reason why our dojo is so special. Ultimately, being in a space full of caring individuals will help people in all ways, especially mentally as they will have a great connection and understanding of themselves, their self-mastery through self-discipline, greater perseverance, and a greater sense of success that comes from showing up to class regularly and interacting with people who will build their self-confidence and mental well-being (Fuller, 93).
Finally, people join the martial arts to become physically fit and to learn how to defend themselves and their families. In this way, they are taking ownership of their selves, which is a powerful feeling. As they achieve goals of becoming more physically fit, they are inherently increasing their overall health by “transforming from mere techniques of self-defense to a wide variety of practices aimed at self-cultivation and personal well-being” (Fuller, 22). As they improve their flexibility, agility, mobility, and strength, they’re also combating and preventing chronic illnesses. For example, it has been shown that particular techniques shared by all martial artists improve health, such as the emphasis on posture, which improves issues with joints and balance, specific techniques improve asthma and arthritis, commitment and regular practice contribute to positive motivation and achievement, and the focus to learn new things increases personal progress, management of stress and anxiety, and the tangible health conditions associated, including hypertension and migraines (Macarie). Therefore, well-being interconnects directly with general physical health (Fuller, 91). This has been shown by martial art practitioners worldwide, who overwhelmingly believe that since beginning martial arts, they feel happier, more satisfied with life as well as less anxious, and found an overall increase in self-confidence. The martial artists also reported a greater mind-body connection by practicing martial arts, including eating less sugar, having better posture, ceasing bad health habits including smoking, managing stress and anxiety, and increasing energy levels (Fuller, 92).
So while, people become interested in martial arts for a variety of reasons, most commonly they want to become more physically fit, learn self-defense, join a community of like-minded individuals, and improve all aspects of themselves. Despite each person’s individual goal, all students are improving every aspect of their health which ranges from preventing chronic illnesses to increasing confidence.
Works Cited:
Fuller, C. Martial Arts and Well-Being Connecting Communities and Promoting Health, New
York, Routledge, 2020.
Macarie, Iulius-Cezar and Roberts, Ron. “Martial Arts and Mental Health.” Contemporary
Psychotherapy.
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