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Increased confidence -

Increased levels of confidence is a huge benefit of someone practicing a martial art at any level.

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Self-discipline -

This confidence comes from self-discipline. By proving to ourselves that we can stick with something that seems difficult and challenging (mentally and physically), we feel more confident in other areas of life too.

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Self-image -

It improves people’s self-image, too. It helps people believe in themselves and the power within themselves, as corny as that sounds.

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All the benefits of practicing a sport -

As opposed to no sport at all, children who practice karate tend to perform better in school. This can be attributed to the benefits of exercise as well as the discipline the sport promotes.

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It's physically challenging -

Martial arts can provide the most physically challenging of workouts. Anyone who has been to a boxing training session will be able to confirm that. Several other martial arts are less fitness-focused and more spiritual though.

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Full-body workout -

Practicing almost any martial art means that you will be getting a full-body workout. Most martial arts incorporate the entire body, so every part of the body will be going to work.

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Core strength -

Boxing, for example, gives the midsection a tremendous workout, not only because this is where a lot of the power from punches comes, but also through all the ducking and weaving.

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Flexibility -

In the Korean martial art of taekwondo, students are trained to kick well over the height of their own heads. The flexibility that is required for this is tremendous.

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Lower risk of injury -

With this increased level of flexibility, people can enjoy a lower risk of injury in their everyday lives.

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Posture -

Increased flexibility also naturally improves posture. When all of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that move our skeleton are in good shape and not excessively tight, our body can relax into a healthy posture.

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Decreased soreness and stiffness -

A lot of people experience soreness and stiffness in their everyday lives, especially when they’re not doing enough exercise. Practicing martial arts battles this soreness.

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It can be spiritual and meditative -

Like many forms of exercise, practicing martial arts will make us feel more relaxed in the mind, too. This can be true for some forms of martial arts more than others, which incorporate meditative and spiritual elements.

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Coordination -

Martial arts trains us to be more aware of how we move our bodies, which improves our coordination.

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Props and tools -

Some martial arts help with coordination through the use of props and tools. Others are more direct in their lessons, as you may get punched in the head if your feet are placed incorrectly, or if you stand too close to the opponent!

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Self-defense -

Not forgetting why these practices emerged, martial arts trains us to be able to protect ourselves in the case of a threat in real life.

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Blood pressure and cholesterol -

Because martial arts tend to be an intense form of training, they can improve overall health, positively affecting things like blood pressure and cholesterol. 

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Learning and memory -

Many martial arts promote physical changes in the brain that can stimulate better learning and memory. Physical health, as we know, is the most influential factor affecting brain function.

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Mental health -

On this note, many would agree that physical health, the kind of physical health which is achieved through the practice of martial arts, is also one of the largest factors affecting our mental health.

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Preventing dementia -

It is widely acknowledged that one of the most effective ways to decrease your chances of suffering from dementia is by staying physically active. Another is keeping the brain active. Martial arts satisfies both of these requirements.

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Community -

Practicing martial arts tends to be a very bonding experience. It’s because it’s a team environment, and much like a football team, everyone is working on the same goal, learning and growing together.

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The benefits for children -

For children, this is even more beneficial. How we learn to socialize as children affects how we socialize for the rest of our lives.

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Socialization -

Children will learn how to resolve conflicts, how to make friends, how to show compassion, and much more.

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Introducing structure to our lives -

Simply by attending a martial art class every week of every month of every year, people become accustomed to having direction and structure in their lives.

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The many benefits of practicing martial arts -

Practicing a martial art also helps people realize their inner strength, because to actually focus on the movements and practice people must be self-reliant and independent. Individuals can sign up for the training, but they must make it there and apply themselves during practice.

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Stress relief -

Practicing martial arts is a huge stress reliever. It has this effect because it trains people to focus only on what they can control (their temperament and movement, for example).

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Controlling our breathing -

Many forms of martial arts train students to be in complete control of their breathing. Being able to slow our breathing and breath deeply into the stomach induces calmness.

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A transferable skill -

Skills like this are transferable to other areas of life. Being able to control our emotions and breathing is invaluable in terms of our careers, which will inevitably get difficult from time to time.

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In summary -

Overall, martial arts help people by increasing their levels of focus, providing a route towards physical and mental self-improvement in a safe environment.

Sources: Man of Many

See also: Celebs who love boxing workouts

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