West County, MO Martial Arts

Martial Arts. Are you looking for something to add to your daily life in West County, 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 number one martial arts team in the world, for top quality instruction, unbreakable friendships, and countless physical and mental wellness enhancements which come from practicing martial arts.

Enroll at Gracie Barra now and discover how West County, 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 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 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 West County, 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 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, West County, MO martial arts is a gateway to self-improvement. The benefits of practicing martial arts like the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes Gracie Barra is known for are many 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 meet the recommended amount of aerobic exercise. In martial arts, training and warm up routines naturally elevate the heart rate and fortifies heart health.

2. Muscle Tone

Martial arts maximizes strength and muscle tone throughout the body, including hard-to-target muscles that aren’t addressed 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. With overall increased fitness and physical activity by practicing West County, 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 are excellent practice for improving reflexes. When your martial arts opponent acts, quick reflexes will allow you to best them, whether by 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

The unique moves and motions that are involved in martial arts like Brazilian jiu jitsu pushes you to be more flexible. Stretches are an important part of any physical activityAt Gracie Barra, our programs are designed with stretches and warm ups that will 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 equal partners build muscle and strength that allow you to become even more successful in your martial arts of choice.

7. Balance and Coordination

Stability is essential 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. Learning the moves slowly and practicing them repetitively will make them become natural to you. 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 health that begin to take place 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

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

When you engage in regular workouts, such as attending weekly classes at Gracie Barra, you naturally have more energy. This is due to the increased blood flow and cardiovascular health that circulates oxygen-rich blood through your body more efficiently. 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, pushing your mind to be in the 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 are involved in West County, MO martial arts have found that martial arts helps them 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

Martial arts helps people of all backgrounds and confidence levels move to a healthier place with their self-confidence. Activities like belt ceremonies and tournaments encourage the shy and self-doubting 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 byproduct of practicing martial arts. In addition to all the individual 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

The structure that enrolling in martial arts classes provides in someone’s life can have an huge impact. Committing to 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

You will form relationships through your West County, MO martial arts classes and competitions that are unique and powerful. Between you and your coaches is a bond of mutual respect. For your fellow martial artists you learn and practice 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 West County, MO martial arts, you challenge and get to know each other and foster 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 West County, MO | Gracie Barra

If you are motivated to change your life, looking for a hobby, or would like to incorporate more physical activity in your lifestyle, West County, MO martial arts are perfect for you. Gracie Barra brings a unique West County, MO martial arts experience that teaches 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 West County, 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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