MT: Martial Arts for Mental Health

[Knowledge Bot]

Martial Arts for Mental Health By Ange - Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:34:14 GMT

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Hi All, I am just wondering how many other mature aged women are involved in Martial Arts for the Mental Health benifits? I love my karate and at the moment I feel it is the only thing holding me together. Are there other practitioners out there that feel the same?

My story - I am 47 and apart from being, or trying to be a "Supermum", I juggle being a "Superwife", a "Superdaughter" to my mother, a "Supernurse" at work, I circuit race a car (a HQ Holden) though I am definately not a Formula 1 standard or Formula 2,3,4 or 5 to be honest, I just like bring up the tail end at present, and I do my SBD three times a week and am on the Regional Federation.

18 months ago my father committed suicide, leaving a very bitter legacy to my mother and I. For some reason my brother (who had never got on with him at all) was the heir apparent. Mum is presently going through a horrendous court case just to receive half of the estate after 46 years of marriage.
As a mum, a wife and a daughter I just had to be there for my family, but I think I am starting to crack around the edges. I started counselling this week and know that I will definately benifit, but I just thank God for my Karate, and also my DoJang family who have been just exceptional.

Just Wondering?


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MartialTalk.com Post Bot - Women's Self-Defense Feed

[GranFire]

I have been told several times how Kata/forms have been beneficial to the psyche, or elemental in breaking through mental barriers

I am not sure what it is, but it's amazing

I guess one could consider it meditation in motion....

[shaolin-warrior]

Originally Posted by Knowledge Bot

Martial Arts for Mental Health By Ange - Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:34:14 GMT

=========

Hi All, I am just wondering how many other mature aged women are involved in Martial Arts for the Mental Health benifits? I love my karate and at the moment I feel it is the only thing holding me together. Are there other practitioners out there that feel the same?

My story - I am 47 and apart from being, or trying to be a "Supermum", I juggle being a "Superwife", a "Superdaughter" to my mother, a "Supernurse" at work, I circuit race a car (a HQ Holden) though I am definately not a Formula 1 standard or Formula 2,3,4 or 5 to be honest, I just like bring up the tail end at present, and I do my SBD three times a week and am on the Regional Federation.

18 months ago my father committed suicide, leaving a very bitter legacy to my mother and I. For some reason my brother (who had never got on with him at all) was the heir apparent. Mum is presently going through a horrendous court case just to receive half of the estate after 46 years of marriage.
As a mum, a wife and a daughter I just had to be there for my family, but I think I am starting to crack around the edges. I started counselling this week and know that I will definately benifit, but I just thank God for my Karate, and also my DoJang family who have been just exceptional.

Just Wondering?


Read More ... or click reply below.
------------------------------
MartialTalk.com Post Bot - Women's Self-Defense Feed

A little too much information, thank you. I'm depressed, I need a drink.

[treelizard]

MA isn't therapy.

[GranFire]

Originally Posted by treelizard

MA isn't therapy.

Well, it can be. Like I said, I came across a few interesting stories, impossible to dismiss. Even the old Greek know: mens sana in coprore sano... a healthy mind lives in a healthy body. Both are conected - or should be. My friend - if you have a lifetime to listen to her - will be happy to share her experience with you on how doing TKD has finally reunited her brain with her body. Her life's story is a rough one, make the OP look like an episode of Leave it to Beaver.

[treelizard]

Yeah, martial arts can be therapeutic--as can yoga or playing music or drawing. However, it should not be used as a replacement for therapy. If it was, would you really see so many martial artists, musicians, artists, etc. who were criminals, drug addicts, etc.?

Anyway, nobody (or I guess I should say most people) wants to hear about someone's dad's suicide when they're trying to learn how to kick and punch things. Nobody wants to hear long dramatic stories about legacies and heirs and court cases and estates. Luckily the woman in question says she's seeing a counselor, but she also says she is benefitting more from her karate family. Hopefully she won't confuse the two.

[Tom Yum]

Hugging = Therapy