Page 12 - Martial Science Magazine 2019 JUL Cover DIG

SENIOR IN MARTIAL

ARTS HEALTH BENEFITS

SCHOOL BENEFITS

By Jim Dartt and Ed Ricciuti

ave you fallen during tHe a wide cHoice wHen look-
past year?” tHe question ing for a martial art tHat
“Hwas asked by a HealtH in- matcHes tHeir pHysical con-
surance representative of a septua- dition. along witH tai cHi,
genarian wHo Had applied for a pol- seniors can opt for wing
icy. “Hundreds of times,” tHe senior cHun, wHicH is anotHer
replied. soft style. wing cHun is a
particularly flexible system
tHere was an audible gasp on tHat is readily adaptable
tHe otHer end of tHe line. tHen tHe to seniors. tHe name itself,
senior explained tHat He practiced a wing cHun, means “eternal
martial art and regularly did break- springtime”. wing cHun
falls and rolls during tHe course of doesn’t rely on strengtH to
training. He furtHer explained tHat, be effective. wing cHun is centered
indeed, He Had taken an acciden- on efficiency, balance, position, and
tal spill on an icy driveway but Had leverage.
rolled out of it and come up witH
only a sligHt bruise – mucH more sat- if Hard styles interest you,
isfactory tHan a broken Hip or otHer consider muay tHai wHicH is an an-
serious injury tHat many seniors expe- cient combat sport tracing back
rience from falling. centuries in tHailand. muay tHai is
gaining in popularity for fitness. it
scientific studies Have demon- combines puncHes, elbows, knees and
strated tHe efficacy of martial arts kicks to overcome opponents. fol-
training in Helping seniors cope witH lowing tHe basics of tHe sport, a se-
falls. one study by tHe university of nior can generate a balanced work-
wisconsin scHool of medicine and out in an Hour or less at tHe gym or
public HealtH stated, for example, at Home.
tHat even after six tai cHi classes,
seniors sHowed a mucH better sense combat (cHon-tu kwan) Hap-
of balance tHan before tHey started. kido blends elements of botH Hard
and soft styles. it is an extremely
wHile superb exercise for mind realistic and versatile self-defense
and body, tai cHi is a gentle martial discipline tHat includes a variety of
art. martial arts styles range from strikes, kicks, joint locks, pressure
low-impact to tHose tHat are intense points along witH ground survival
and pHysically demanding. tHere are and disarming tecHniques.
soft and Hard styles, meaning basi-
cally Hard contact or little con- wHatever art a senior picks,
tact, respectively. seniors Have any can Help build strengtH and se-

12 MARTIALSCIENCEMAGAZINE.COM