Manchester, MO Martial Arts

Martial Arts. Are you seeking to something to add to your daily life in Manchester, MO – something that is good for you and will help you work through the tough things and endow you with positive qualities? Gracie Barra is the world’s top martial arts team, for first-rate coaching, inextinguishable interpersonal relationships, and countless improvements to your physical and mental health which come from practicing martial arts.

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

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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 meant to defend against threats and defeat opponents. Each different style of martial arts is governed by 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 Manchester, 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. If you are looking for a way to get healthier and grow as an individual, Manchester, 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 immeasurable.

1. Cardiovascular Health

It’s common knowledge that heart health is a huge factor in overall well-being. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, yet less than 20% of adults meet the recommended amount of aerobic exercise. Through the training and warm up routines in martial arts naturally raise the heart rate and is good for overall heart health.

2. Muscle Tone

Martial arts is an excellent way to build strength and muscle tone throughout the body, including hard-to-target muscles that aren’t targetted in other traditional 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. Manchester, MO martial arts helps you drop weight and stay at a healthy weight by improving general physical health and increasing physical activity.

4. Reflexes

Martial arts challenges its practioners 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. Repetition of certain combinations over time makes you quicker, improving reflexes and shaving 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 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 others of the same level build muscle and strength that make you even more successful in your martial arts of choice.

7. Balance and Coordination

Stability is vital in martial arts, and so is coordination. The moves taught in Manchester, 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. Over time and through the improvement of other qualities like strength and flexibility, you will soon master the moves and improve your overall balance and coordination.

8. Blood Pressure

Through regular physical activity, increased heart health, and improved physical state that begin to take place 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, 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

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

Inner peace and tranquility are undeniable skills taught by martial arts. Martial arts is a form of a meditation or mindfulness exercise, where your mind is focused and present. You become aware and 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 Manchester, 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. Learning and mastering new skills and competing against others 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 result of practicing martial arts. In addition to all the individual skills and qualities that precede better mental health, in practicing martial arts you are exposed to intimate interactions with other people 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 scheduled classes 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

You will form relationships through your Manchester, MO martial arts classes and competitions that are unique and powerful. Between you and your coaches is a bond of mutual respect. Between the people you learn and struggle 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, MO | Gracie Barra

Whether you are motivated to make a major positive change in your life, looking for a hobby, or need to add more physical activity in your lifestyle, Manchester, MO martial arts are perfect for you. Gracie Barra brings a unique Manchester, MO martial arts experience that emphasizes important 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 Manchester, 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.

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