I have been into Taekwondo journey since 2002 and I have collected total 12 medals (4 of them are important tournaments in Germany, Switzerland and Austria). My Taekwondo coach who trains me in Düsseldorf for many many years is European Champion.
Frequently I am asked by martial arts beginners why they should add Pilates to their training schedule, and the answer is always simple: Pilates builds core (body) strength that is essential for martial artists to hone their craft and to prevent injuries. Speaking from personal experience I can say with great confidence that Pilates has changed my life and the way that I practice taekwondo in a positive way.
I have been into taekwondo since 2002 and unfortunately was prone to injuries especially in both hamstrings and in my left shoulder. It wasn’t until I started training in bodywork, both in Pilates and Gyrotonic Movement (a system of yoga-like moving exercises performed on a specialized machine), that I started to understand why. I was not holding my body (muscles and bones) in proper alignment and as a result I suffered self-inflicted injuries due to repetitive movements while using improper posture. Improper posture is usually caused by certain muscles being too strong and tight while other muscles are too loose and weak. This is a problem that can be corrected with a regular Pilates practice and is a tried and true method of exercise used by both professional and amateur athletes alike.
It is not widely known that Joseph Pilates, the founder of Pilates, originally worked with boxers. This is why his exercise system applies very well to martial artists. It was his belief that the body is healthier when it practices stretching, strengthening and control-type exercises in addition to the actual sport activity itself. Most martial artists have some form of this in their weekly routines, but often slow steady exertion with stretching control are hurried through in favor of the activity itself. In addition, some martial artists attempt to meditate regularly, and this focus on breathing is also in line with the Pilates philosophy. Slow steady breathing with exertion (i.e. ibuki breathing – the tightening of the abdominals inward with a long slow breath) is a large part of a successful Pilates practice.
When teaching Pilates to martial artists to some of my friends, I like to do almost double the amount of leg exercises than in a typical Pilates class. This is because martial artists need to strengthen their gluteus muscles (the buttocks) in order to make their legs feel lighter and make the act of kicking easier and more effortless. These exercises include practicing anchoring the pelvis by pulling the abdominal and torso-related muscles inward while reaching and extending through the legs in various movements. This not only strengthens the body but also helps to lengthen the torso and open the hip joints making difficult kicks and kicking combinations easier.
In Pilates, there is also an emphasis on learning how to keep your shoulders down and away from your head, lengthening the neck and strengthening the muscles under the armpits that create a longer spine. Strengthening the proper muscles for correct posture helps to prevent back injuries and create longer lines in the body. This creates the space a martial artist needs in the joints and between the bones in case of a misstep, a bad turn or punch while practicing and is the difference between a quick, shake-it-off type injury versus a permanent one.
I welcome you to experience the power of Pilates by taking your martial art to the next level.
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