Dealing with Stress- the Martial Arts Way
Dealing with Stress- the Martial Arts Way
by Tracy Warrener
There is a silent enemy that creeps into our lives and can cause havoc in our physical, mental
and emotional health. Its called stress. Everybody has stress in their lives, however the key in
managing it is what we do to help release it. Exercise, diet and meditation all can be key tools
when managing our stress levels. One extremely effective form of relieving stress from our lives
is through the Martial Arts.
We are trained as Martial Artists that from the moment we walk onto the dojo floor, our baggage
from the day or our daily lives stays outside the dojo once we bow onto the floor. The purpose
behind this idea is that for the time we are that we are training, our mind only focuses on what
we are doing in class. Training our mind and the way we think is very important both on and off
of a dojo floor. It can be the most important skill we learn when reducing stress. Many
traditional styles of Martial Arts open and close a class with a small meditation called the
‘Mokuso’. The purpose of it is to empty the mind, show respect, compassion and gratitude for
the different areas in our lives, to focus on our breath and to gain our centre so that we can train
our best in that class or re-focus clearly our intentions as we go back into our daily lives after the
class.
Exercise has been proven to help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and help our bodies stay
limber and strong. The exercise that we receive from Martial Arts training, cover all aspects-
cardio, aerobic, strengthening, stretching, connection to breath, connection to our bodies. It also
allows us an output to redirect anger, frustration, tension and all other emotions that trigger
stress. When you think about it, all aspects of the martial arts help stress relief. From the
cardio, to the repetition of basics across the floor, heavy bag training, board breaking, sparring
to practicing kata and training your mind to stay focused to the stretching. Internal Martial Arts
such as Tai Chi, Qi Kong, help with breath control, flexibility, core strengthening, balance and
harnessing life force energy which in turn reduces stress and keeps our body, mind and spirit
healthy. After completing such classes, one always leaves feeling renewed, lighter and happier.
Another benefit of being involved in the Martial Arts is the people you meet and friendships you
develop. Martial Artists are a very unique breed of people. The sense of brother and sisterhood
you feel when you are part of a dojo, and the people who show you their support is immense.
Having relationships such as these prove to help lower stress in one’s life because it gives
people the feeling of being part of a community of support.
The Martial Arts give us so many benefits. In my opinion it is really one of the most successful
ways people can not only learn how to protect themselves, get strong and healthy but also
develop a strong knowledge of who they are and what they want to accomplish. They provide a
way for us to release the tension in our lives and connect us not only to others, but to ourselves.
Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong, Act Strong, Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com
http://www.warrenerentertainment.com/the-tao-of-yi...
http://www.warrenerentertainment.com/dragon-bone-q...