Back in my martial arts days, I asked my instructor for some new workout ideas.  I was getting bored and needed to freshen things up a bit.  He created a very fun six week training plan focused on cardio strengthening.  I’m not going to share the whole workout but instead an innovative idea from it.

The warm-up stands out in my mind to this day.  On certain days (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday) I was to run for distance at an easy pace.  Nothing groundbreaking there.  Then came the other days.  These days I focused movements using every single muscle in my body.  They were the Poomse days.

Poomse is a Korean word, meaning form or pattern.  These forms are imaginary fights that often tell a story about a particular fight.  Anyway, Poomse days required me to do all of my forms at an easy pace and then again at a fast pace, ignoring technique.  Since I knew and practiced sixteen forms with anywhere from 20-100 moves each, it became an intense warm-up.

Don’t know any forms?  No problem, just go to YouTube and search “Poomse” or “martial arts forms.”  There are many videos that you will discover to walk you through some.  You only need to know one or two to get the worthwhile benefits.  Find one that looks like something you can do and spend a workout session trying to learn it.  Technique isn’t imperative unless you are actually training in the art.  Worry more about getting a feel for the movements.

Once you learn one, get into motion.  The first time, do the form as if you are very lazy.  Just go through the moves to warm-up your joints and your mind.  Then do it again with a little more purpose, focusing on what you are doing.  This time pay attention to your legs.  Really, stress the stances and try to keep your weight on them.  Finally, breeze through the last time.  Do the form very quickly and with force.  This time focus on getting your heart rate up and a earning a light sweat.

You’re now warmed up the Poomse way.

Why are so many people registering their children or themselves for martial arts classes?  There are numerous reasons to get involved in the martial arts.  Whether you’re trying to gain confidence, get into better shape or learn self-defense, martial arts is the answer.

First, what are martial arts?  The definitions vary from person to person.  Some say meditative art forms while others say hand-to-hand combat education.  There is no one true way to sum them up.  Martial arts are fighting systems derived from many years of experience and practice that allow you to strengthen your mind and body.  Depending on your reason and which art you choose will determine your definition.

The many reasons that are given for taking martial arts are: learn self-defense; learn respect; develop coordination; gain confidence; enhance strength; make athletes even better; improve focus; learn goal setting; and improve social skills.  Some answers, such as enhancing strength, learning self-defense and coordination, are self-explanatory.  One that is not is improving focus.

The improving focus area encompasses many of today’s issues, especially in children.  Many children today are diagnosed with ADHD, temper control problems and many simply need better study habits.  Through the discipline that is taught, the individual learns to redirect anger through healthy channels.  The focus that is required to hit the targets and heavy bags becomes a part of every action.  The same thought process they use to hit a target now becomes the way in which they attack math problems, for example.

There are even great benefits for those without children.  Having more focus will certainly help us in the workplace and at home.  Being able to concentrate on the task at hand will help us to meet our deadlines and soar past those who can’t.

Martial arts simply will improve every aspect of your life.  They will allow you to become stronger and gain more confidence.  No other sport can give you the full benefits that a quality martial arts instructor is able to deliver.  Whether you want to improve your child’s focus or learn self-defense for yourself, martial arts are the key.