Martial Arts: The possible benefit that can be obtained during a period of lockdown.

Authors

  • Charles Spring University of Derby

Keywords:

Martial arts, wellness, mental health, lockdown, COVID-19

Abstract

The following thought piece follows one individuals’ experience of being in lockdown in the United Kingdom and how the practice of martial arts assisted in this experience. Through the use of diary entries, their feelings and thoughts are expressed and how the bad ones of these are assisted through the practice and ability to focus on something other. There is a discussion that draws on other academic and authors perspectives, that evidence and support the thought pieces viewpoint. The piece concludes that practicing martial arts can help individuals through enabling them to have a focus and outlet to help cope with deeper emotional states caused by a situation such as lockdown.

Author Biography

Charles Spring, University of Derby

Senior Lecturer in Applied Management

Research areas in Wellness and Martial Arts.

Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism

College of Business

References

Buckler, S. (2016) The Development of an Inclusive Taxonomy for Classifying Global Fighting Traditions, IMAS Quarterly, Vol. 5 no.3, Greater Manchester, England, UK. Institute of Martial Arts and Sciences.

Runckle, A. (2020) https://crappychildhoodfairy.com/2020/05/11/cptsd-heres-what-healing-feels-like/?fbclid=IwAR2AufWyNrp32hz5sImJMwFTzOBgE6taU5WzD4sxMCZ6lw2COO8Wzm6dEnU (Accessed 02/12/2020)

Donohue, J.J. (2006) Kaho: Cultural meaning and educational Method in Kata Practice. Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Vol. 15 No. 3 p8-19

Masciotra, D. and Monzon, M.A. (2003) A healthy body in a healthy mind: Striking out in time and space. Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Vol. 12 No. 1 p24-33

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi (1975). Beyond boredom and anxiety. Jossey-Bass Publishers. California. USA

Labbate, M. (2011) Attention, Sit, Meditate, Bow, Ready Position: Ritualised Dojo Pattern or Character Training? Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Vol. 20, No. 1: 82-93

Lowry, D. (2006) In the Dojo: A guide to the rituals and etiquette of the Japanese martial arts, London, UK: Weatherhill.

Spring, C. (2015) Martial Arts: Applications in Higher Education. Ex-L-Ence Publishing.UK

Statstita. (2019). Share of Children Participating in Martial Arts in England 2010-11 to 2017-18 accessed from https://www.statista.com/statistics/421140/martial-arts-children-sport-involvment-england-uk/ (Accessed 01/04/2020)

Taylor, K. (2006) The Psychological Effects of Martial Arts Training. Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Vol. 15 No. 3 p20-27

Watson, R.L., Fraser, M. and Ballas, P. (2020) Journaling for Mental Health. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1 (Accessed 02/12/2020)

Webster-Doyle, T. (2003) Educating the mind as well as the body through martial arts training. Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Vol. 15 No. 3 p88-91

Yang, N. C. (2011) Reflecting on Traditional Martial Arts: Past, Present and Future, Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Vol. 20, No. 1: 56-81.

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2022-01-21