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Believe it or not, martial arts can help you increase your quality of life in ways you might not have otherwise considered!
Here are 5 exciting ways martial arts can bring greater fulfillment to your life:
1. Build the body you desire. Exercise is the quickest way to improve your physical fitness and overall appearance. Martial arts will increase your cardiovascular fitness, physical stamina, and flexibility. Your agility will also improve through the punching and kicking drills of martial arts.
• With most forms of exercise, you spend the entire workout thinking about how long you have left until it's completed. With an hour-long class in martial arts, your workout is over before you know it. You hardly notice the time passing, but you'll quickly notice the results in the mirror.
• A martial arts class is a great way to tone your body and shed a few pounds. You'll look forward to getting out the door for each class and you'll enjoy the active lifestyle your mind and body crave.
2. Learn self-defense. In addition to toning your body, martial arts teach you to defend yourself. You'll be able to fend off an attacker should the need arise.
• Even kids who are often picked on in school can learn to defend themselves against bullies with martial arts.
3. Increase your self-confidence. As your body becomes stronger, so will your self-image. As your skill and physical capabilities improve, you'll begin to feel more confident. You'll look forward to looking in the mirror each morning instead of dreading it, and meeting new people will become an exciting adventure.
• Also, as you learn new skills, your confidence in your ability to think through challenging situations and solve problems will increase. Tasks that you once thought were impossible will seem within reach. You'll be more confident to try new things and expect success.
4. Strengthen your mental focus. Every martial arts discipline emphasizes mental focus. In addition to learning physical skills and techniques, you'll also learn to clear your mind and focus on the task at hand. This mental focus will benefit you in every area of your life.
• Instead of being scattered and unable to concentrate, you'll discover within yourself a peace and focus that you never knew was possible.
5. Relieve your stress. Martial arts provide a tremendous outlet for frustration and stress. Besides releasing pent-up stress, when you're focused on learning the skills and techniques in a class, you'll keep your mind off of the bills you have to pay or the challenges of your workday.
The heart pumping exercise, sparring matches, and mental distractions provided by martial arts is a perfect combination for anyone seeking an exciting way to get in shape. If you've tried other forms of exercise without success, give martial arts a try. You'll be glad you did!
The good news is that you don’t have to settle for a life of boredom and repetition. It takes very little to overcome your stale routine and experience more joy. Sometimes, a night alone in front of the television is the perfect way to unwind. However, sometimes you crave something a little out of the ordinary. Thankfully, there are many things you can do about it.
Try one of these 4 boredom-busting activities to liven up your day:
1. Spend Time With A Friend. Sometimes, the best way to cure boredom is to visit a friend you haven't seen in a while. Catch up on old times and talk about the things that are important to both of you. Do something together that you both enjoy. Choose an activity you haven't done in a while and reconnect.
• Even when you're feeling down and you'd rather be alone, try visiting a friend. Often, even a short visit can bring an unexpected feeling of joy. Plus, you'll be doing something active instead of sitting at home and feeling blue about your challenges.
2. Hit the Driving Range. Even if you’re not a golfer, hitting a bucket of golf balls as far as you can provides tremendous stress relief. Go with some friends and have a blast! When you get outdoors in the sunshine, your focus is bound to change and your perspective on life will be a much happier one.
3. Visit Libraries and Bookstores. If you prefer peace and quiet, experience adventure without ever leaving your own familiar area. Visit your local library or a bookstore that encourages you to sit down and read. Many bookstores now offer coffee shops inside and comfortable chairs for those who want to sit a while.
• Learn a new skill or engross yourself in a novel that takes your mind far away from the mundane cares of your everyday life.
• You can even meet new people while you're perusing the literature. Strike up a conversation with someone who has similar interests. You may just meet a new best friend who goes on to introduce you to many more exciting activities.
4. Play Board Games. With the rise of video games and other forms of electronic entertainment, you may have forgotten how much fun board games can be!
• Enjoy a few laughs with friends or family and your favorite board games of the past. Or try some of the newer board games. Whether the games are old or new, you'll still make some great memories!
If you want to spice up your life and experience something different, the options available to you are endless. The only limit is an unwillingness to leave your comfort zone. If you're proactive about getting out and enjoying some new experiences, you'll be rewarded with a deeper connection to the world around you and a greater satisfaction with your life.
In the summer, it's easier to feel better about life. The warm weather, casual feeling of the season and endless recreational opportunities bring with them an excitement about life that's hard to find in any other season. Use this positive momentum to your advantage to learn a skill that will fuel your happiness in any season.
Getting Ready to Meditate
Meditation is a very personal thing. Some people meditate in groups. But when you meditate alone, you may experience fewer distractions and a richer experience as a result. A backyard lounge or hammock is a great place to contemplate where you are and the direction your life is headed on a warm summer evening.
Sit comfortably or lie down to prepare your body for meditation. Once you begin, the flow of your contemplation is interrupted if you have to move around or adjust to a more comfortable position.
Pay attention to your breathing. Breathe from your belly and not your chest. Take slow, deep breaths. The more you practice, the better you'll become at deep breathing. Proper breathing is the key to relaxing your body and opening your mind to experience the benefits of meditation.
How you meditate will have a lot to do with what feels right to you. The goal of any meditation session is to feel centered and relaxed. If you relax and let go, your spirit will instinctively move toward a meditation style that's right for you.
Supplies
Like meditation itself, the supplies you'll need are largely a matter of personal preference. It's okay to experiment with different ideas until you find what works best for you. Here are some suggestions for things you might want to use in your meditation:
• Candles that provide an aromatherapy effect
• Music or white noise for a calming effect
• A blanket, pillow, stuffed toy, or similar object that gives you comfort
What If It's Not Working?
At first, meditation can feel a bit awkward. It's easy to get distracted. If you continue to practice until you find what works for you, however, you'll find that meditation calms your mind and supports the attainment of the peace you crave.
What matters most in meditation is how it makes you feel. If a particular technique feels uncomfortable or leaves you without a feeling of peace, it may be the wrong technique for you. Shift your focus and try a different technique. Above all, do what feels right to you in this personal time of reflection.
Meditation is valuable for increasing your inner sense of peace. The warmth of summer is a perfect complement to the peacefulness you experience in your mind, body, and spirit when you practice meditation on a regular basis.
This summer, try different workout strategies to achieve your fitness goals. A balanced approach that combines strategies can help you to get your body into the best shape ever this summer.
Burn Fat
Losing fat is the goal of many of us as each summer season approaches. How would you like to fit into your favorite jeans again or turn heads at the beach? Fortunately, shedding a few pounds is easier than you might think.
The simplest way to shed pounds quickly is with cardio workouts. A brisk walk, jog, or hike at least 3 to 4 times a week will do the trick. If you have access to a gym, the stationary bikes are an excellent choice as well. With an MP3 player, you can take your favorite music with you to enjoy your workout more and make the time pass quickly.
Build Tone
Cardiovascular fitness is important, but it's only one component of a summer workout strategy that will deliver the body you want. If you're overweight, focus on building muscle to ensure that your body burns fat more efficiently. Even if you're already in shape, building and toning your muscles are vital for maintaining optimum health.
The best way to tone your body is with weight lifting. It's important to start small to avoid injuries. Start with less weight than you think you can handle. As your muscles grow stronger, you can add heavier weights or more difficult weight lifting routines to challenge your body to new heights of fitness.
Some find a gym intimidating because they think that the gym is only for people who are already in shape. But for the most part, people at the gym mind their own business. They're too focused on their own bodies and routines to worry about what you look like. So instead of feeling embarrassed, step out of your comfort zone and into the fit body you deserve.
For maximum results in the shortest possible time, use less weight and more repetitions. As you grow stronger, you'll need to add challenges to your workouts to avoid a plateau. Instead of adding more weight, add more repetitions. This will build endurance and tone your muscles most effectively.
Build Muscle
Once you're in good physical shape, you may want to add more muscle to bulk up. If you're able to maintain a healthy weight with great muscle tone, you can take your training to the next level and build the muscular physique you've always dreamed about.
To build muscle, change your workout routine. While lower weight and higher repetitions is optimal for toning, muscle building is exactly the opposite. You want to challenge your muscles with lower repetitions at higher weights. As you gain strength, add more weight to challenge your muscles to grow bigger and stronger.
Keep your workout plan simple and easy to follow. Instead of applying a complicated formula, do what feels right to you. Generally, 8 to 12 repetitions at the appropriate weight for your goals is a good rule of thumb. If possible, consult a personal trainer to develop a personalized workout routine that takes into account the goals you have for your body.
Starting a workout plan can be overwhelming. But as long as you continue to visualize what you want your body to look like and keep it simple, you'll find success with your workout goals. Combine cardiovascular workouts with weight training for a fat burning, muscle-toning plan to attain the body you desire - and deserve!
