Live Longer, Stronger
New Jersey's theme for National Physical Health Week, April 4-10, 2005,is live longer, stronger. The martial arts are not just for the young and can help in building and maintaining optimal physical and mental health for adults.
Carteret, NJ (PRWEB) March 28, 2005
During National Public Health Week, April 4 to April 10, many organizations throughout the country will be promoting awareness for many physical health issues surrounding America today. Chirico’s School of Karate, a well-respected local Carteret based martial arts school that teaches Okinawan karate the traditional way to young children, adolescents, teens and adults, would like to help New Jersey promote the idea of living a longer, stronger life. In most cases, making a small change in an adult’s activity pattern can have a profound beneficial effect on a vast number of psychological, pathological and physiological measures of mortality and fulfillment. Sedentary lifestyles are a major risk factor for a number of diseases for people of all ages, but especially for those beginning to age. The martial arts is a complete form of exercise, which promises great benefits to its practitioners, as they get older. “Age should not be a factor in your decision to get healthy and fit, and it is never too late to reap the benefits of a fitness lifestyle,” says Grand Master Ralph Chirico, owner and head instructor of Chirico’s School of Karate. Chirico of Carteret (69) has been training in the martial arts for over 40 years and continues to practice as well as teach.
“Exercising is the closest thing to a “magic pill”, to ensure longevity and an improved quality of life,” says Phil Hoffman (57) of Port Reading, who recently was promoted to the rank of 1st degree black belt after 10 years of training. Regular exercise is known to prevent a decline in physical strength and flexibility as we age, as well as warding off disease such as diabetes and heart problems. The hearts pumping capacity decreases with age, however those who exercise experience only one third the decline of sedentary people who’s efficiency declines by 1 to 2 percent a year beginning at the age of forty. “If you’re committed, exercise in combination with a sensible diet can help provide an overall sense of well being”, says Hoffman. According to Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging, “Most of the issues we look at as aging really are disuse. We’re meant to move.”
Dan Anderson (48) of Fords who was also recently promoted to the rank of 1st degree black belt, had mentioned, “ If you want to do something that’s fun, different and good for self-defense, not only against attackers but also disease, practice the martial arts.” Exercise can reverse years of cardio-neglect by strengthening the heart, resulting in an increased blood and oxygen flow throughout the body. The aerobic exercise of the martial arts increases your caloric burn-off, reduces muscle cramping, and increases muscular strength while decreasing body fat and lowering two major health risks in today’s society: blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The average martial arts class can raise a student’s metabolic rate to about a 10, a level equal to that of jogging.
Poor posture is a major cause of injury, which often leads to serious neck, back and shoulder problems later in life. Martial arts training can increase a practitioner’s physical capabilities resulting in a better coordination of muscles, and an improvement in strength, flexibility, stamina, posture and balance. “While improvements in these areas certainly help athletic performance, they also help reduce the risk of injury; stronger, limber muscles are less susceptible to strains and sprains,” says Dr. Holton, a 5th degree black belt at Chirico’s School of Karate and chiropractor at Metuchen Healthcare in Metuchen, New Jersey.
Exercising on a regular basis can also help your nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. By achieving and maintaining optimal physical health, you are helping your immune system fight off colds and minor bacterial and viral infections resulting in improved productivity and efficiency at home, and at work.
The central nervous system naturally declines with age, as evidenced by slower reaction times. But studies show that active older people often have faster muscular movement than sedentary younger people. Martial arts exercises increases the blood flows to all areas of the body including the skin, and provides your body with nutrients, and disposes waste materials more efficiently.
Martial arts training not only offers its adult participants healthier body, but also a healthier mind. As Chirico states, “ Martial arts training strengthens you from the inside out.” A keeping fit regimen offers many psychological benefits, but one of the biggest rewards comes from an improved self-image and sense of well-being. It is a known fact that most adults will have to overcome the issue of a mid-life crisis. Achieving fitness goals can lead to self-confidence, an improved body image, self-awareness and esteem. In addition, the discipline necessary to accomplish personal fitness goals can have a positive effect on professional careers.
“Another emotional benefit of starting an active lifestyle such as beginning a martial arts training program includes feeling better from the release of stress and tension”, says Hoffman. Adult students at Chirico’s School of Karate learn that training in the martial arts provides a great outlet for controlling stress. Anderson explains, “ Martial arts training fully involves both mental and physical aspects, thus forcing us to focus on the present, and to forget our worldly concerns. Punching, kicking and striking exercises allow a controlled release of tension and aggression, allowing students to leave behind any negative emotions they may have carried into the dojo’s (martial arts school) door.” Students at Chirico’s School of Karate are taught how to manage and control their breathing, therefore creating stress relief. Martial art practitioners learn that anger and frustrations prevents clear thinking and the loss of self-control, and therefore learn to control themselves and their surroundings physically and mentally.
The true goal of martial arts training is to enhance and empower our lives. By becoming more active, and staring a martial arts program, you will be enhancing your abilities in all of your activities in your broader lifestyle. “Martial arts training is perfect for those adults who hate mindless repitition of jogging or aerobic classes,” says Anderson. Chirico explains, “ The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself. An opportunity to learn a new culture, another world of learning, and an opportunity for growth is now. Martial arts in not just for the young anymore.”
About ChiricoÂ’s School of Karate:
ChiricoÂ’s School of Karate is a Carteret based traditional martial arts school focused on providing students with a strong foundation to become champions not only in karate, but also in life. With over forty years of experience, Grand Master Ralph Chirico, accomplishes this goal by consistently providing the highest quality instruction and professionalism possible to his students of all ages. Besides teaching them the art of self-defense, the adult program helps men and women lead a more balanced, healthier life personally and professionally. Through a highly encouraging and supportive, yet challenging style, young students in the specialized childrenÂ’s class receive much needed development in respect, discipline and concentration which fosters outstanding academic achievement and positive relationships at home and in the community. For more information please contact Grand Master Ralph Chirico via phone at 732-969-3533, or by email: chiricoskarate@yahoo. com. You may also view our website at www. chiricos. com.
# # #
