| Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a combination of karate, | | | | People who practice MMA feel and look healthier, but |
| grappling, wrestling, Tang Soo Do, boxing, jujitsu, Tae | | | | there are far more benefits than the physical side. |
| Kwon Do and more all combined in one. Mixed martial | | | | While many think of martial arts as violent, in the |
| arts, in its modern form, emerged in 1993 through the | | | | mainstream it is used as self defense. It does not |
| Ultimate Fighting Championships and was based on | | | | encourage violence but teaches the student how to |
| pitting different fighting styles against each other with | | | | control anger and how to use self control and restraint. |
| minimal rules to determine which system would be | | | | Students are taught self discipline and the rigors of |
| better in a real, unregulated combat situation. | | | | training builds character and self-confidence, which |
| During the late 1990s, the governing bodies imposed | | | | ultimately reduces temper induced rages that can |
| extra rules for the safety of the athletes and to try to | | | | often be the cause of many street fights. This |
| promote the sport and gain wider acceptance, but still | | | | confidence carries over into everyday life and as a |
| maintaining the no holds barred idea. MMA has grown | | | | result mixed martial arts students tend to be become |
| rapidly in the last few years with many people both | | | | better people than they were. |
| young and old realizing the many benefits of mixed | | | | Mixed martial arts training teaches you that you must |
| martial arts both physical and mental and this has seen | | | | control the powers that you have had the privilege of |
| enrollments in classes increasing worldwide. | | | | learning and never use it recklessly or without thought. |
| MMA is classed as a combat sport, but it's a sport that | | | | Students are also taught that before any success is |
| stresses the ideals of fair play and respect for your | | | | achieved they will fail many times and that practiced |
| opponent still. However, MMA are still quite often | | | | and perseverance is the key. This is a valuable lesson |
| wrongly known as vicious and brutal. | | | | to learn and will often carry over into other endeavors |
| Regardless of MMA's reputation, the competition is | | | | the student undertakes. |
| relatively safe. Due to the rules and regulations | | | | Furthermore, the training teaches you that every |
| imposed and strictly enforced and the tough mental | | | | person is responsible for his own actions and must |
| and physical conditioning of the opponents there has | | | | understand and abide by the given rules. This kind of |
| never been a death or indeed a critical injury report by | | | | training improves one's actions in life as well as in |
| the MMA as directly linked to any tournament. | | | | martial arts training and tournaments. Many of these |
| Martial arts are great for the body. Regular training | | | | arts build a spiritual life into the training, with courtesy, |
| strengthens and tones the muscles and adds flexibility. | | | | self-control, perseverance and integrity emphasized in |
| Training in martial arts gives you a full cardio work out. | | | | the classes. So much so that many Christian Church |
| You can expect to greatly increase your strength and | | | | groups are running mixed martial arts classes for their |
| stamina and improve your hand eye coordination. | | | | youth organizations due to the character building |
| Martial arts is a good weight loss program as well | | | | characteristics in martial arts training that are also |
| because it becomes a complete system in which a | | | | much a part of Christian beliefs. |
| healthy diet is part and when combined with the | | | | Given all this, it is no wonder that so many parents are |
| extreme physical activity proper weight loss is assured. | | | | enrolling their children in mixed martial arts classes |
| Classes are run at schools, dojos, youth groups | | | | today. They see their children's health and fitness |
| organizations, church groups, and other, less formal | | | | improve, something their child's peers often lack. And |
| settings. MMA is also being incorporated into many | | | | they also witness their children's mindset, attitudes to |
| gyms as mixed martial arts become more popular. | | | | life and self-improvement, respect and courage all |
| A typical class will have you start with a warm up | | | | improve as well. |
| consisting of various stretching exercises, trunk | | | | Anyone who trains in karate, jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do or |
| rotations, jumps, squats and abs tightening exercises. | | | | any of the arts will gain these benefits. If you have any |
| Then there will be a series of movements taught and | | | | desire to improve your body and mind at the same |
| explained in full. Sparring is controlled and protective | | | | time with only one activity, then martial arts is |
| gear is worn, such as helmets, gloves and guards. | | | | something you ought to seriously consider. You don't |
| At other times a bag will be used for practicing kicks, | | | | just get in shape physically, but also mentally and |
| jabs and punches. Although you may feel awkward | | | | spiritually. No gym workout can compare. All across |
| and unfit at first, it will not take long before your fitness | | | | the world, adults are joining dojos and thoroughly |
| and skill level improves, along with your frame of mind. | | | | enjoying the many benefits of mixed martial arts. |