Town and Country, MO Martial Arts

Martial Arts. Are you seeking to something to supplement your daily life in Town and Country, MO – something positive and beneficial that will leave you better equipped to cope with stress and make you physically and mentally healthier? Gracie Barra is the world’s top martial arts team, for first-rate instruction, unbreakable interpersonal relationships, and numerous physical and mental wellness enhancements which take place when practicing martial arts.

Enroll at Gracie Barra right away and discover how Town and Country, 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.

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Types of Martial Arts

Each style of martial art is unique, but martial arts as a whole is the collective systems of combat and defense training used to defend against threats and defeat opponents. Each different martial arts discipline is governed by 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

At Gracie Barra, we teach our Town and Country, MO martial arts students a special approach that incorporates 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. Martial arts in Town and Country, 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 many and powerful.

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 engage in the recommended amount of aerobic exercise. In martial arts, training and warm up routines naturally elevate 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 by more conventional methods of working out 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. With overall increased fitness and physical activity by practicing Town and Country, MO martial arts, it is easier to lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight.

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. Repetitive practice of certain combinations over time makes you quicker, improving reflexes and shaving down reaction times.

5. Flexibility and Mobility

Martial arts involves deep and extensive motions that require flexibility. Stretches are an important part of 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 it is nothing without the technique, skill, and experience of a practiced martial arts practitioner, strength in the ingredient that enhances these technical abilities in martial arts like BJJ. Repetition of movements and sparring at full-strength 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 critial in martial arts, and so is coordination. The moves taught in Town and Country, 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 the repetition of physical movements, increased heart health, 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

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, 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 are left with more energy. This is due to the increased blood flow and cardiovascular health, which allows oxygen to circulate 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

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 just for kids anymore. Many adults who practice Town and Country, MO martial arts have found improvements in matters of discipline such as the difficulty of 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 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

The structure that enrolling in martial arts classes provides in someone’s life can have an huge impact. The regularly scheduled commitment of attending your martial arts gym regularly for weekly scheduled classes 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 Town and Country, 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 have a camaraderie and understanding of each other in a way that you don’t generally find in other types of interpersonal relationships. In Town and Country, MO martial arts, you challenge and get to know each other and form long-lasting, quality friendships.

The sum of many invaluable 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 Town and Country, MO | Gracie Barra

If you are motivated to change your life, in search of a hobby, or would like to add more physical activity in your lifestyle, Town and Country, MO martial arts are perfect for you. Gracie Barra is a unique Town and Country, MO martial arts experience that teaches important 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 Town and Country, 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.

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