Is Anyone Else A Martial Artist?

[blarneystone]

The title says it all, I've been a practicing martial artist for 20+ years, I've taught and I've coached competitive martial artists (Karate only for teaching and coaching.)

I've practiced Baqua, Tai Chi, Qi-Gong, Shito-Ryu Karate, Goju-Ryu Karate, Jiujutsu, Kung-Fu and a random assortment of others (Krav Maga, Kobudo, etc) that were for a few months...

I'm just wondering if anyone else practices, or has practiced and has found solace/peace in the practice from their PTSD. I'm returning to a Dojo for the first time in a year or two and starting at the beginning again ("white belt") when I've tested and gotten certified to teach three different martial arts (Karate, SAS Self Defense and Qi Gong.)

Very strange starting at the beginning again, kind of a philosophical statement for trying to cope with PTSD, eh?


Blarney.

 

[MizzASG]

I have been enrolled in (traditional) jiu-jitsu and judo since I was 6 years old. At 17 I stopped to go to school. I got all the way up to brown belt. If I go back I have to start over as well. But I am a little afraid to go back, because of some chronic pain. Also, because I am not nearly as strong (physically) as I used to be.
I am thinking of getting into Tai Chi and Qi-Gong right now, and hopefully that can condition me to get back into jiu-jiitsu again.

 

[blarneystone]

I have been enrolled in (traditional) jiu-jitsu and judo since I was 6 years old. At 17 I stopped to go to school. I got all the way up to brown belt. If I go back I have to start over as well. But I am a little afraid to go back, because of some chronic pain. Also, because I am not nearly as strong (physically) as I used to be.
I am thinking of getting into Tai Chi and Qi-Gong right now, and hopefully that can condition me to get back into jiu-jiitsu again.

I've got some chronic pain from my neck and migraines; Tai Chi and Qi-Gong have helped immensely with both.

If you want something with conditioning you may want to look more into a gym membership; and ellipticals. I love the things, I put in 60-90 minutes per day on an elliptical and I've been getting so much endurance and core strengthening from it. It is hard, and pushes my body but I've begun to really enjoy that sort of feeling of being absolutely run ragged in exercise. It is preferable to me, to be physically exhausted rather than emotionally exhausted.

 

[anthony]

I have done a total off around 15 years all up. Did Karate for years as a kid, on and off for a while, then moved into Taekwondo. I have given lots of different techniques and styles a go over the years, making up my 15+ years, to basically leart lots of methods for defence purposes, comparison, etc. It kept me fit, mind healthy, and I think it has a whole lot to do with my self management nowadays to be perfectly honest. Discipline is everything when it comes to PTSD IMHO.

 

[Marlene]

I'm sure there will be some that take exception to this, but fencing is considered a European martial art...so therefore, yes, I am a martial artist. I have been fencing for four years now. I started it right after my diagnosis. Mainly to help with the intense body pain (I had read that the best was to alleviate muscle pain was to get the blood flow increased with exercise). It's helped me a lot with the PTSD for several reasons. It makes me stay totally and completely focued in the moment. If you lose your concentration, you get hit. Simple as that. It helps me to stay phsyically active and exercise is listed as a really good way to fight despression. Plus when I have anixety and am hit with the 'fight or flight' reflex, I get to fight. And it's helped with my agoraphobia. Sometimes just making myself go out the front door and go to fencing is the hardest part.

Lisa

 

[kers]

I do jujitsu and it has been of huge benefit to me with my PTSD. I've been off for about six months, but I am much calmer and feel more secure when I am training regularly.

 

[GodSeeker]

Hello,

I have practiced karate in my childhood (until brown belt) then did mainly aerobic activities (long distance running)

6 years ago, I began to practice Choy lay fut, a demolishing and destroying southern martial art. Did it for 2 years and stopped due to schedule problems. 2 months ago I got back practicing again CLF.

The benefits I got from training are physical endurance, functional strength (lately we were doing animal moves like crawling) and that undoubtly enhanced my self-confidence which was under the ground. Add to that the phyisical contact with people (during combats and partner training) which really puts me again in the social circle.

As for peace, there is that peace that follows a training but I think you are not referring to that. That treasure is very hard to obtain...

 

[popeye]

Sorry to butt in but I thought this was funny. A friend of mine once told me they practiced Judunno. I asked what that was and their answer was "Judunno if I gotta gun, Judunno if I got a knife..."

 

[GodSeeker]

Sorry to butt in but I thought this was funny. A friend of mine once told me they practiced Judunno. I asked what that was and their answer was "Judunno if I gotta gun, Judunno if I got a knife..."

:wink::wink: off course, you never know