Jiu-jitsu is shaping up to be one of the most popular martial arts in the world today. Additionally, the celebrities and famous MMA personalities that promote the discipline are among the best in the industry. Taking a look at the sports hierarchy also gives people an idea of how prestigious and respected Jiu-jitsu is at its core.
Today, people who practice Jiu-jitsu often find themselves in a unique situation. Moreover, the sensation of completing a session in Jiu-jitsu often correlates itself to uneasiness. Fortunately, there are numerous methods to vent out unwanted stress and anxiety. Surprisingly, Yoga provides benefits that are remarkably intertwined with the ideology and values of Jiu-jitsu.
Jiu-jitsu and Yoga: A Spiritual Synthesis
Yoga is an ascetic and spiritual discipline with a 5000-year history, taking pride in its Indian roots in philosophy. The idea started as a spiritual connection to the ideologies of Indian culture. However, due to the physical and spiritual benefits of Yoga, it soon gave birth to different approaches. Indeed, Yoga as a discipline boasts the most benefits without having to strain yourself in the process.
Practitioners of various martial arts have specific training exercises that promote physical and mental well-being. Jiu jitsu training, in particular, has the most rigorous pre and post-session routines. More importantly, these exercises require a lot from their students mentally, physically, and sometimes spiritually.
Yoga is a great way to circumvent the potential side-effects of training for Jiu-jitsu. Of course, results vary for each person, but the overall benefit is that Yoga reduces tension. You need to make sure to follow the proper procedure and not some unreliable source on the internet. Indeed, Yoga complements Jiu-jitsu better than any other discipline.
A Spiritual Correction: Improving Imbalances
As mentioned earlier, Yoga is a great partner to the training regimen implemented by the most effective martial arts (Jiu-Jitsu). Moreover, both disciplines share mirrored values and ideologies, making cross-learning and practice seamlessly. Surprisingly, Jiu-jitsu and Yoga share the same roots in Buddhism and ancient India. Simultaneously, promoting alleviating depression, blood pressure, and stress-related ailments is well-received in the community.
Imbalances such as bad posture and skeletomuscular problems are common among Jiu-jitsu practitioners. More importantly, these ailments can pile up over time and produce more severe issues. However, Yoga can significantly decrease the possibility of acquiring them if practiced faithfully.
The analysis of Jiu-jitsu training informs us that during basic attack and defense formations, the body enters a “contracted state.” Further, a contracted state produces more tension for the body, making it detrimental to practice benefits. Excessive contraction is dangerous for your body as muscles and tissue will degrade faster over time.
Improved Flexibility: Yoga and Jiu-jitsu Mastery
Honing your skills in Jiu-jitsu will enable your body to encourage the muscles to become more flexible. Likewise, dedication time to master various yoga forms will also improve flexibility without even noticing it. Although most people can get away without a relaxed body, the overall consensus is that having one can significantly impact your results. Conversely, you can also train your body by practicing Yoga before moving on to Jiu-jitsu.
Yoga is even more beneficial to older adults looking to rejuvenate their aging bodies. Flexibility can be a determining factor in living healthy even during retirement years. More importantly, the range of motion unlocked by improving flexibility can open new avenues for training. Unsurprisingly, advanced Jiu-jitsu techniques are inaccessible unless your muscles reach a certain level of elasticity.
In the spirit of recreation and well-being, practicing Yoga won’t always give you the results you want. However, if done correctly and faithfully, a flexible body is achievable in a reasonable amount of time. On the other hand, some studies say that there are adverse effects of practicing Yoga, but the ratio is minimal.
Managing Pain Through Recreation
The Yoga discipline is also a great way to manage pain, especially if you’re a professional Jiu-jitsu practitioner. In fact, some of the greatest MMA artists even include Yoga in their official training regimen. It’s undeniable that Yoga is a crucial part of the MMA ecosystem, especially to the older age bracket.
Alternating between Jiu-jitsu and Yoga can also help decrease the possibility of painful muscles and tissue damage. Moreover, stretching exercises that incorporate various yoga formations can help promote the growth of stronger muscle tissue. There are countless studies about the health implications of Yoga, but the ones that stand out the most are about pain management.
Takeaway
Well, there you go, some of the reasons why Yoga is a great partner to your Jiu Jitsu classes. However, like with any other discipline, always keep things in moderation to avoid injury. The time to go out and learn Yoga and Jiu-jitsu is now, and an amazing community awaits you and your colleagues.