This is a guest post submission. If you want to learn more about making your meditation practice effective, you can read this article by Om Swami, a meditation guru with over 15,000 hours of meditative experience. Also, consider joining the OS.ME Online Community to become a part of the kindest place on the internet, which shares self-development wisdom and the stories of others’ journeys.
How can you increase your sense of alertness, decrease your rate of aging, and improve your decision making skills? The answer is found in both practicing martial arts and engaging in meditation.
In this article, we’ll explore the top health benefits of martial arts and meditation and look deeper into the connection between the two disciplines. Finally, we’ll discuss how you can use the knowledge in this article to uplevel your skills and wellbeing.
The wisdom shared in this article is just a sneak peek into the expertise offered by fellow members of the OS.ME online community, who have a love
for both martial arts and wellbeing. So, I hope you’re ready to feel empowered to find more ways to improve your health routine!
What can I gain from martial arts and meditation? More than you may realize!
If you’re like the majority, the first health benefits that come to mind probably have to do with mental health: decreased anxiety/stress, increased concentration, and enhanced awareness. While all of these are significant benefits experienced by those who have practiced martial arts and/or meditated, there are so many more positive ways that these disciplines can impact your health.
With consistent practice, meditation has been shown to control pain, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep. On a similar note, martial arts has helped individuals enhance muscle strength, improve cardiovascular fitness, and sharpen reflexes. Perhaps most surprisingly, is that both disciplines have been shown to decrease the rate of aging.
The numerous benefits of martial arts and meditation are able to spark the interest of even the most skeptical. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s explore the connection between martial arts and meditation and discuss how you can reap the benefits!
How are martial arts and meditation connected? Photo by Thao Le Hoang on Unsplash
The relationship between martial arts and meditation is similar to the relationship between a knife and a knife sharpener. The knife is the object that has direct use or application, whereas the knife sharpener is essential to improving the knife’s performance. Meditation improves your skills and ability as a martial artist.
The core of elements of meditation (controlling your focus and sitting peacefully) help develop your concentration, heighten your awareness, and empower you to remain calm and collected. These benefits and skills gained through meditation are fundamental to having success in the martial arts.
Now that I know that meditation is the key to upleveling my martial arts practice, how can I incorporate this knowledge into my life?
By meditating! That’s the simple answer, but let’s go through some actionable ways you can start your meditation journey specifically designed to further yourself as a martial artist.
Meditation is not easy and will demand mental exertion, but its rewards are unparalleled. Whether you commit to 20 minutes every day or 5 minutes every other day, the most important thing is that you are taking your practice seriously. Meditation can be broken down into three simple steps.
Breaking Down Meditation in its Simplest Terms
1. Focus on your breathing
2. Shift your attention to focus
3. Self-correct: If a stray emotion or thought pops up simply acknowledge it and purposefully shift your attention away from it
The fact that meditation is a deep dive into finding and maintaining your personal peaceful place means each person’s experience with meditation is truly their own. Like with many other things in life it can be tempting to compare yourself and your skills to others. This toxic comparison is not only harmful to your practice but also unrealistic.
There are different styles of meditation that work for some, but not others. Each person has lived a different life filled to the brim with unique experiences, goals, and emotions. And some people have completed over 15,000 hours of meditation, while others have only completed 3 minutes. Simply put, your meditation journey is unlike any other, so don’t be too harsh on yourself.
Ultimately, no matter how long you meditate for every little bit helps to improve your health and skills as a martial artist. And to circle back to the earlier analogy about meditation being a knife sharpener, know that even the smallest degree of sharpness can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts
Both martial arts and meditation have profound mental and physical health benefits. While you can practice martial arts without meditating, the easiest and most impactful way to uplevel your skills as a martial artist is by meditating. Beginning your meditation journey can often be difficult, but at
its core meditation is just sitting peacefully and concentrating on a consistent basis. You can do it!
If you want to learn more about making your meditation practice effective, you can read this article by Om Swami, a meditation guru with over 15,000 hours of meditative experience. Also, consider joining the OS.ME Online Community to become a part of the kindest place on the internet, which shares self-development wisdom and the stories of others’ journeys.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
OS.ME ONLINE COMMUNITY
The unique OS.ME online community focuses on empowering members to share their life experiences in one of the only judgment-free zones on the internet. The platform is also used to promote genuine connections over the web and share a wealth of knowledge related to mindfulness.
Websites: OS.ME Online Community & More about Om Swami
