re: Martial Arts Boosts Fitness in Middle Age

Dena1219 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:12:24 GMT

I've read that an exercise routine that includes bursts of intense effort is much better than say, just walking or jogging an hour at a steady pace.

I agree that yoga and tai chi are great for conditioning and developing awareness of the moment on an ongoing basis.

WRT myself, I always end my daily exercises with some time (10 min) on a rebounder, trying to do various movements without falling. This

has greatly increased my sense of balance with the added benefit of improved digestion/elimination. I meditate (using a mantra) for

an hour several times a week. I think meditation has had a most profound benefit to my life.

Om nama shiva ya.

re: Martial Arts Boosts Fitness in Middle Age

Greg Alario — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:18:34 GMT

As a 35 year practicing martial artist and physical culturist, I can, first hand, tell you of the positive body-mind-spirit benefits of martial arts training. In my opinion yoga and tai chi are just as effective for health and fitness. In the media's compartmentalized way of seeing the world, they have missed the point here. It is the regular application of an integrated form of exercise that includes controled breathing, movement and focus that creates these health benefits. These forms of exercise are moving meditation type exercises and are a daily pillar of my way of life. I am a 52 year old with the body and performance ability of a 25 year old, a resting heart rate of 60 , and blood pressure of 100/65 due to living a healthy lifestyle (if there is not daily physical exercise it would not be within my definition of healthy lifestyle).

This article is pretty tepid and the results redundant but Dr. Mercola's commmets are right on. One hour per day is needed, after a gradual progresson to that point, and any exercise that is new should be introduced by a qualified instructor or coach.