Balance in the Martial Arts by KJN Ronald W. Stone

Balance in the Martial Arts by KJN Ronald Stone

          Anyone who is as fan of the Karate Kid movies will remember Mr. Myagi’s advice to his protégé when Daniel is stressed.  He explains to the boy about balance; “Lesson not just Karate only, Lesson for whole life.  Whole life have a balance.”

          One might rightfully ask what exactly balance in life is and how do the martial arts help us obtain it. Perhaps for some, balance is taking control of your personal situation, to realize and understand that there will always be some sort of stress, and to be able to deal with the external and internal factors that burden us daily.   Balance in life brings us happiness, calm and harmony to our lives, and eliminates needless worry and feelings of guilt or fear.

          Martial artists learn about physical balance from day one when they begin to practice and improve their stance.  Beginners don’t place much thought about stance other than to consider it a learning process to be able to perform or fight better.  As they progress to higher levels however, they begin to learn about Ki {or Chi} meridians and the importance of aligning these energy meridians in order to improve core structure, mental acuity and physical prowess.  

          While some martial arts schools may not explain balance precisely the same, they all teach the importance of standing, and stretching as part of their curriculum.  In essence it is a form of self-chiropractic.  When you align your spine correctly when you stretch and exercise properly, the body releases chemical compounds called endorphins which help with pain and produce a sense of mental relaxation.  

           Proper breathing and mediation exercises are taught in most arts as a way of training the student not to panic or hyperventilate in combat, whether that be in tournament sparring or a real-life confrontation.  In medical terms however, martial arts beathing exercises, which are surprisingly like those learned by Asian pearl divers, create a hyper-oxygenation of the blood, decease carbon dioxide and they prevent excessive lactic acid buildup.  In layman’s terms oxygen is necessary for all tissues to function properly, including those of the brain and is surprisingly analgesic as a side effect.  Carbon dioxide and lactic acid are waste by- products of excessive muscle stress and illness, and poor respiration or ventilation.

          Meditation is taught in most traditional martial arts, and it too has its beneficial effects.  While in a meditative state the heart slows, and blood pressure is decreased.  While respirations slow, they originate from the deeper danjun area, which provides improved breathing when compared to the shallower upper respiratory type.  Also, mediation is performed with the proper spinal alignment, again improving Ki or Chi flow. (After all, when was the last time you saw a Shaolin Monk with poor posture?}  

            When one is more physically fit, has better breathing habits, has a better cardiac and blood pressure status they will end up in an anabolic or building state of metabolism rather than a catabolic or destructive physiological state, and will be able to better balance the negative physical forces that prey upon us all.

          There is another factor to the martial arts which helps its practitioners find balance in life and it is a psychological one.  Martial arts teach confidence and enthusiasm.  The author can speak from some experience on this subject since as a college student who was also beginning martial arts study, I experienced it firsthand.  I was required to break a one-inch pine board for my yellow belt exam.  I passed with flying colors and that night when pondering a difficult upcoming exam, I convinced myself that if I could break a seemingly impossible thick wooden board with my bare hand, then surely studying for a written test should present no challenge.  It didn’t and my outlook on study improved greatly.

          Most high-ranking martial artists will tell you that there are many days when we drag ourselves into the dojang, worn out and weary, not to mention stressed and unbalanced.  As tired as we may be, however, after a few minutes of training one’s attitude and energy level become much improved. 

Enjoyment, camaraderie, and exercise are marvelous remedies for a soul that is out of balance.

About the author: R.W. Stone is currently a practicing veterinarian in Central Florida.  He is an avid horseman, a master ranked martial artist, a best-selling western author, and a firearms enthusiast. After joining a martial arts school in 1970 Stone started studying Yudo with a Korean grandmaster.  He eventually became a member of the Judo team of the University of Illinois.  It was at the University that a Korean classmate and friend introduced him to Tae Kwon do.  After graduating veterinary college, he found the martial arts becoming too sports oriented and eventually after moving from Miami to Central Florida he sought out a Hapkido grandmaster. Currently Stone is ranked 8th dan in Haemukwan Hapkido, a 4th dan in Daehan Yudo and a second dan in Kukki Taekwondo.  He is the Hapkido instructor at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies. 

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