Image source: http://www.wakingtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/WIKI-WuShu-e1330175275897.jpg
A lot people do not engage in martial arts to learn self-defense mechanisms alone. Martial arts, especially those which originated from China, are believed to provide health benefits for those who practice the techniques. One example is the Wushu, which has been present in China since the ancient times.
A lot of people in their later years prefer Wushu than other physical activities as a form of exercise because of the many advantages it offers. The term Wushu is known for its components of entwining footwork, snake-like body bending, and rhythmic foot and hand coordination.
One benefit that a Wushu practitioner gets from the famed Chinese martial arts is strength. Various Wushu styles aid in building a person's leg, abdominal, and lower back muscles. The need to hold poses during the training helps stabilize and strengthen the muscles.
The handling of weapons is also an essential practice in achieving good back and arm power. A regular Wushu practitioner, even without supplemental exercise, can eventually develop a lean and toned muscular physique akin to that of an athlete or dancer.
A person who attends Wushu lessons also has a great chance of obtaining all-around flexibility. While genetics and age are great determinants on how flexible someone would get, Wushu students are still able to learn how to do arduous flexing such as a full split in due time.
Attending Wushu lessons is also an effective way for someone to learn body balance. With the standing exercises and learning how to find your core, you'll soon build up your balance which can eventually lessen the chances of falling even when you move around quickly.
Aside from balance, you can also achieve body coordination skills, specifically with the eye and the hand. Body coordination is a great help while attending to your daily tasks.
Another health benefit Wushu lessons bring to practitioners is resistance development. Resistance means being strong enough to endure an exercise for a longer period and able to withstand tremendous stress without crumpling.
As you learn how to use your mind and body to accomplish something, you also improve your staying power even without being consciously aware of it.
Natural impulses are developed through combination of strength and coordination. These traits can be improved with the continuous training you undertake with your Wushu lessons. If you're armed with strong impulses, you can quickly move on urgent situations, so you are ready to protect yourself from upcoming dangers.
The last and most significant benefit you can achieve in attending Wushu lessons is body awareness. This is the culmination of all the traits you develop throughout your Wushu lessons. Having body awareness simply means being conscious with what your body is doing. Moreover, once you get the hand of body awareness, you won't ever forget it. So even if you experience changes in your physique or stop practicing Wushu, this skill will remain.
There are just so much health benefits one learns from practicing the ancient martial arts. Wushu does not only help a person carry out fighting stances, but also develop a sound mind and body.
