Does Martial Arts Help Our Memory  by Joseph Galea

When we age, our memory tends to diminish. However, aging isn't the only thing that negatively affects memory.

With today's busy lifestyles, failures in memory are more apt to happen. Lack of exercise, mundane  tasks and stress can all negatively affect even a young mind. So what can you do to combat this decline? The answer is simple:
participate in martial arts!

First, martial arts provides routine exercise that has been proven to protect brain function. Researchers believe that exercise protects the brain in many ways including increasing blood flow and decreasing the risk of diseases that may impair brain function. Exercise also helps  to control stress which, unmanaged, negatively affects memory. Chronic stress not only interferes with your ability to focus but actually leads to altered brain structure. Controlling stress is therefore one crucial key to maintaining brain function and memory. Martial arts is a great stress reducer above and beyond its role as exercise as it incorporates meditation and other stress-reducing techniques.

Martial arts also exercises your mind. Just as physical exercise builds your physical body, mental exercise pushes your brain to get in shape. According to Dr. Robert Butler of Mount Sinai Medical School, a decrease in [brain] function results from disuse.

By participating in the martial arts you are constantly giving your brain new information and movements to learn, thereby keeping your brain in tip-top shape. As you age and enjoy your busy lifestyle, decreased memory doesn’t have to be inevitable. Practice the martial arts regularly to exercise your mind and body, allowing you to enjoy a more active and  healthier brain.

5 Strategies to Reach Your Martial Arts Potential by Joseph Galea
 
Reaching your potential means breaking through your comfort zone to discover your true abilities. Your comfort zone is what you can achieve with your average effort and determination. Here are five strategies you can implement immediately to help reach your full potential.
 
1. Cross Train. Martial arts training is excellent exercise. However, make a commitment to supplement your martial arts workout with bike riding, jogging, or weight training. You can even alternate your cross training activity each week. By exercising muscles less used during your martial arts workout you will become a stronger and faster martial artist!!
 
2. Stretch. Make a habit of warming and stretching your muscles every day. Flexibility plays a critical role to the responsiveness of your muscles. The bottom line is that stretching will make you a better martial artist.
 
3. Practice. Martial artists believe that there is always room for improvement. While it may not be that “practice makes perfect,” practice certainly will help you substantially improve your skills. Practice will drive you towards your potential.
 
4. Take Care of YOU. Be healthy. Pay attention to what you eat. Food is the fuel your body uses to perform. You can not perform optimally if your energy is coming from junk food! Find out what your ideal body weight should be and set a goal to reach it. Stay away from smoking, drugs and alcohol: they will hurt you. Care for yourself and you are sure to be a better martial artist.
 
5. Train Your Brain. Develop the mental aspect of your training by reviewing all your techniques in your mind ’s eye. Many scientific studies have shown that “thinking ”about an activity can help you improve your performance. Additionally, train your brain by reading martial arts books. They will give you different perspectives to consider which improves your overall knowledge of the arts.
 
You don ’t need to make a major change to produce a dramatic difference in your results. The above five strategies allow you to make several subtle changes to breakthrough your comfort zone and reach your full potential.

Upcoming Events:

February 13:  Gup Belt Testing

     Upcoming Karate Tournament 

Tang Soo Do Championship Karate Tournament

Sponsored by The American Tang Soo Do Association

March of 2008 in Lynnfield, MA

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