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    Clayton, MO Martial Arts

    Martial Arts. Are you seeking to something to supplement your daily life in Clayton, MO – something that is good for you and will help you cope with stress and make you physically and mentally healthier? Join Gracie Barra, the world’s top martial arts team, for top quality instruction, inextinguishable friendships, and countless improvements to your physical and mental health which come from practicing martial arts.

    Sign up at Gracie Barra right away. Join us to uncover a brand new way of life taught through Clayton, MO martial arts. Contact us online, give us a call at 636-544-3655, or check out our programs to learn more.

    Types of Martial Arts

    Every style of martial art is distinct, but martial arts as a whole is the collective systems of combat and defense training meant to defend against threats and defeat opponents. Each different martial arts discipline has a distinct focus and style.

    Martial arts fall into one of the following categories:

    • Striking or Stand-up Styles
      • Boxing
      • Karate
      • Kickboxing
      • Muay Thai
    • Grappling
      • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
      • Sambo
      • Wrestling
    • Throwing/Takedown Styles
      • Aikido
      • Judo
    • Weapons Based Styles
      • Kendo
      • laido
    • Low Impact Styles
      • Tai Chi
      • Chi Gong

    What we teach at Gracie Barra to our Clayton, MO martial arts students is a convergence of principles of several martial arts from different styles. We primarily identify as a Brazilian jiu jitsu gym, but also borrow techniques used and taught in other martial arts including muay thai, judo, and kickboxing. Martial arts at Gracie Barra is a comprehensive program where you will master Brazilian jiu jitsu and other martial arts skills.

    Physical Benefits of Martial Arts

    Martial arts is both an art and a sport. It is a holistic approach to wellness and strength of the mind, body, and spirit. If you are looking for a way to get healthier and grow as an individual, Clayton, MO martial arts is a gateway to self-improvement. The advantages of practicing martial arts like the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes Gracie Barra is known for are numerous and powerful.

    1. Cardiovascular Health

    Heart health is extraordinarily important, as we all know. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, yet less than 20% of adults engage in the recommended amount of aerobic exercise. In martial arts, training and warm up routines naturally drive up the heart rate and improves heart health.

    2. Muscle Tone

    Martial arts maximizes strength and muscle tone throughout the body, including hard-to-target muscles that aren’t targetted in more conventional workouts like weight lifting and running. Through warm ups and training drills as well as sparring involving punching and kicking motions, with a variety of grappling and groundwork moves practiced in Brazilian jiu jitsu, builds muscle mass.

    3. Weight Loss

    With more muscle mass, the body naturally increases its metabolism and burns more calories. Clayton, MO martial arts helps you drop weight and stay at a healthy weight by improving general physical health and increasing physical activity.

    4. Reflexes

    In martial arts, individuals are challenged to hone their reflexes. Sparring in practice and fighting in competition are excellent practice for improving reflexes. In martial arts, reflexes are vital to besting your opponent, from dodging, blocking, or maneuvering to counter-attack. Repetitive practice of certain combinations over time builds quick reflexes and shaves down reaction times.

    5. Flexibility and Mobility

    The unique moves and motions that are involved in martial arts like Brazilian jiu jitsu pushes you to be more flexible. It’s always important to stretch before engaging in any physical activity, and the stretches and warm up routine at the beginning of every Gracie Barra martial arts class helps improve flexibility and allows your body to move smoother, quicker, and easier. Other benefits of flexibility are improved posture, reduced risk of injury, and less tension.

    6. Strength

    In order to defeat your opponent using martial arts, whether you are in practice, a tournament, or a real-life self-defense situation, a certain level of strength is required. While strength alone is not sufficient against an opponent who is proficient in martial arts like BJJ, proper form and knowledge of technique are enhanced by overall bodily strength. Conditioning in practice and full-strength sparring with equal partners build muscle and strength that make you even more successful in your martial arts of choice.

    7. Balance and Coordination

    A stable physical foundation is critial in martial arts, and so is coordination. The moves taught in Clayton, MO martial arts involve a coordinated effort in moving or keeping stationary different parts of the body in complex ways. Students first practice each part of the move slowing over and over, and eventually are able to do them reflexively. As you improve in strength, flexibility, and other physical aspects, you will, too, improve in balance and coordination.

    8. Blood Pressure

    Through regular physical activity, increased cardiovascular strength, and improved physical health that occur through the practice of martial arts, you will enjoy a lower heart rate and reduced blood pressure.

    Other Benefits of Martial Arts

    1. Stress Relief

    As with any other form of exercise, martial arts helps with stress. Physical activity releases endorphins, as well as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin and reduces the negative effects of stress on the body. Plus, when you spend time around others who share your goals and encourage you to be better, you may feel stress less severely – a unique benefit of martial arts.

    2. More Energy

    When you engage in regular workouts, such as attending weekly classes at Gracie Barra, you naturally have more energy. This comes from the increased blood flow and cardiovascular health that circulates oxygen-rich blood through your body more easily. After martial arts or other activities, you are also able to sleep better, allowing you to be more refreshed when you wake up.

    3. Peace and Balance

    There is no dispute about the way martial arts teaches the skills of internal peace and tranquility. Martial arts can be seen as a meditation or mindfulness exercise, where your mind is focused and present. This quality puts you in control of your body and breathing. This translates to other areas of your life and you become more able to stay calm and centered in your life.

    4. Discipline

    Discipline and self-control are not just for kids anymore. Many adults who are involved in Clayton, MO martial arts have found improvements in matters of discipline such as quitting a bad habit. Though it is not a miracle cure (quitting smoking, drinking, or drug use should be done under the supervision of a physician), efforts can be supplemented by a dedication to martial arts.

    5. Confidence and Humility

    Whatever your level of confidence in yourself, it will grow to a healthier state as you move through your martial arts practice. For those who are shy or uncomfortable in front of others, belt ceremonies and tournaments encourage them to step out of their comfort zones. Those who are prone to being driven by ego are, in martial arts, asked to bare themselves honestly in front of others. The martial arts learning and competing process builds confidence and humility simultaneously: humility in encountering unfamiliar and challenging tasks, and confidence when we are able to acheive them.

    6. Mental Health

    Because of all of the physical benefits of martial arts, and the stress relief and peace it teaches, mental wellness is a natural result of practicing martial arts. In addition to all the internal skills and qualities that precede better mental health, in practicing martial arts you are exposed to intimate interactions with other individuals who identify with your struggles, support you on your journey, and are going through similar journeys themselves.

    7. Motivation

    Signing up for structured martial arts classes can have an huge impact. Committing to attending your martial arts gym regularly for weekly class keeps you moving and working towards your goals and helps motivate you to focus on your priorities both inside of and beyond your martial arts life.

    8. Relationships

    You will form relationships through your Clayton, MO martial arts classes and competitions that are unique and powerful. There is mutual respect observed between students and coaches. For your fellow martial artists you learn and practice with, you will develop a camaraderie and understanding of each other in a way that you don’t generally find in other types of interpersonal relationships. In Clayton, MO martial arts, the challenges you face and overcome form long-lasting, quality friendships.

    Through these benefits, martial arts has a powerful effect on your mental and emotional health. Each of the listed benefits has its own indirect positive effects on your life. When you join the martial arts community with Gracie Barra, you may very well see measurable changes in your life such as healthier familial and romantic relationships, advances in your career, and a new bank of positive memories on which to look back. Martial arts is something that can be enjoyed by all ages, so you can potentially enjoy the ongoing benefits of martial arts for the rest of your life.

    Martial Arts Near Clayton, MO | Gracie Barra

    Whether you are ready to make a major positive change in your life, looking for a hobby, or need to incorporate more physical activity in your lifestyle, Clayton, MO martial arts are perfect for you. Gracie Barra brings a unique Clayton, MO martial arts experience that teaches critical skills and values from a variety of martial arts diciplines, including Brazilian jiu jitsu, muay thai, kickboxing, judo, and more. For every age, every schedule, and every level of experience, Gracia Barra is the Clayton, MO martial arts gym for you.

    Don’t wait any longer to discover the astonishing, very real world that is opened up by the practice of martial arts. Try your first class for free to get a taste! Reach us online or call us at 636-544-3655 to learn more or to sign up for your first martial arts class today.