Yoga and the Martial Arts

A Link between Yoga and Martial Arts

During the sixth century C.E. Boddidharma a Buddhist monk from India visited the Shaolin Temple in China and began to teach a form of physical health maintenance, believed to be Yoga.  At the time the Buddhist monks who meditated for long hours were developing spiritually but weakening physically.  A number of exercises were developed and evolved into what may be Shaolin Kung Fu.

Benefits of Yoga for Martial Arts

The healing aspects of Yoga are very beneficial to all martial artists.  The therapeutic value of yoga asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises) can be applied directly to Martial Arts.

Flexibility

Unfortunately flexibility is placed low on a surprising number of peoples fitness scale.  However, for the Martial Artist good flexibility allows your body to get into position more quickly with less effort.  Asana practice promotes a supple spine and flexible hips which are vital for the fluid movements and applying power when required.

Strength

Yoga promotes strength in your body by activating the appropriate muscles needed for a particular asana.  This requires awareness from the individual. Over time this awareness will train the body to work as one unit and strength will be generated in such a way that muscular imbalances will be removed.  Strength will be generated on both sides of the body evenly so that one side will not be stronger than the other.

Alignment

Yoga will help with alignment of the body which is beneficial for everyday use. For the martial artist this will help with economy of movement, reduce injuries, promote speed and provide good centre of gravity.

Balance

In the martial arts you need to be aware of your centre and how it is affected by movements that you make before you can take the balance of, and hence execute a technique on, an opponent.  Yoga develops your awareness of your body.  Over time your brain will become familiar with where the balance of the body is and what is required to keep that balance.

Body Awareness/Control

Yoga asana is undertaken in a slower and more controlled manner than when executing a martial art technique.  The practice of asana heightens your body awareness and allows more biofeedback and introspection to take place. Performing an asana will allow you to become aware of the muscles are being used and those which should be relaxed.  The more awareness of your body that you have the more quickly you will be able to move into the correct position and you will be able to judge distances better.

Breath Control

Yoga helps with your awareness of the breath.  Yogic breathing will aid balance (both mind and body), improve endurance, reduce recovery time and calm the mind.  A yoga pose works to unify the mind and body with the breath and to clear any blocks that restrict the flow of prana (energy known as chi in Chinese and ki in Japanese).