Kirkwood, MO Martial Arts
Martial Arts. Are you seeking to something to add to your daily life in Kirkwood, MO – something that is good for you and will help you work through the tough things and make you physically and mentally healthier? Join Gracie Barra, the number one martial arts team in the world, for top quality coaching, unbreakable interpersonal relationships, and numerous physical and mental wellness enhancements which come from practicing martial arts.
Sign up at Gracie Barra now and discover how Kirkwood, MO martial arts can change your life. Contact us online, give us a call at 636-544-3655, or check out our programs to learn more.
Types of Martial Arts
Each martial art is distinct, but martial arts as a general term refers to a collection of different types systems of combat and defense training used to defend against threats and defeat opponents. Each unique style of martial arts has a different 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 Kirkwood, 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 our programs also highlight 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 targets not only physical fitness, but also mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Martial arts in Kirkwood, MO is a path that leads to personal growth and wellness. The benefits of practicing martial arts like the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes Gracie Barra is known for are numerous and immeasurable.
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 fortifies heart health.
2. Muscle Tone
Martial arts helps build strength and muscle tone throughout the body, including hard-to-target muscles that aren’t addressed by other traditional workouts like weight lifting and running. Participants build muscle mass by regular warm ups and training drills, and by engaging in the punching and kicking motions in sparring and practicing.
3. Weight Loss
With more muscle mass, the body naturally increases its metabolism and burns more calories. With overall increased fitness and physical activity by practicing Kirkwood, MO martial arts, it is easier to lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight.
4. Reflexes
In martial arts, individuals are challenged to hone their reflexes. Sparring in practice and fighting in competition improve reflexes over time. 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. Flexibility inherently improves posture, reduces the risk of injury, and reduces tension.
6. Strength
In martial arts practice, tournaments, and in real-life self-defense situations, strength is necessary for defeating your opponent. 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
Stability is critial in martial arts, as is coordination. To learn martial arts, you are tasked with mastering coordinated techniques that require moving and holding still isolated parts of the body simulatiously. 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 the repetition of physical movements, increased cardiovascular strength, and improved physical state that occur through the practice of martial arts, you will naturally experience a lower heart rate and reduced blood pressure.
Other Benefits of Martial Arts
1. Stress Relief
Martial arts is like other physical activities in that it 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, being surrounded by like-minded, determined people supporting and pushing you to be better is calming and encouraging – a unique benefit of martial arts.
2. More Energy
With a regular workout schedule, like attending weekly classes at Gracie Barra, you naturally have more energy. This comes from the increased blood flow and cardiovascular health, which allows oxygen to circulate through your body more easily. Many people who join martial arts also report sleeping better. A better sleep cycle allows 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 skills only children need to practice. Many adults who practice Kirkwood, MO martial arts have found that martial arts helps them 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. For people who are generally outspoken or ego-driven, martial arts asks them 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
With the numerous physical health effects and the stress relief and peace it teaches, mental wellness is a natural byproduct of practicing martial arts. On top of all the internal skills and qualities that precede better mental health, in practicing martial arts you are immersed in a community of 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. The regularly scheduled commitment of going to your martial arts gym regularly for weekly class gives you accountability, moves you towards your goals and keeps you motivated to focus on your priorities both inside of and beyond your martial arts life.
8. Relationships
Kirkwood, MO martial arts classes and competitions are a special way to form uniquely powerful relationships with others. There is mutual respect observed between students and coaches. Between the people you learn and struggle with, you will have a camaraderie and understanding of each other in a way that you can’t find in other types of interpersonal relationships. In Kirkwood, MO martial arts, the challenges you face and overcome foster long-lasting, quality friendships.
Through these benefits, martial arts is a powerful force 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 Kirkwood, MO | Gracie Barra
Whether you are motivated to make a major positive change in your life, in search of a hobby, or need to add more physical activity in your lifestyle, Kirkwood, MO martial arts are perfect for you. Gracie Barra brings a unique Kirkwood, MO martial arts experience that emphasizes critical skills and values from various martial arts, including Brazilian jiu jitsu, muay thai, kickboxing, judo, and more. For every age, every schedule, and every level of experience, Gracia Barra is the Kirkwood, MO martial arts gym for you.
Don’t deny yourself the world of martial arts and its astounding benefits any longer. 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.
