3 Reasons Martial Arts has been Beneficial During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Written by Instructor Trainee Richard Potter
Since COVID-19 has taken over the United States by storm, life, as we know it, has come to a standstill. People are scared to get out, afraid of the unknown, and let's just face it people have gotten meaner. Gone are the days of going outside to play, seeing your friends in school, and just getting to enjoy the socialization that comes with just being able to hang out with your friends or after school activities. With the lack of interaction, the world seems to be getting crazier and honestly a scary place to grow up and live. Even during all this, there has been one constant that has helped me stay grounded: Martial Arts. Martial Arts is not only good physically, but also good for your mental health. Below are 3 reasons how Martial Arts has been beneficial to me while learning what our "new normal" is.
1. Martial Arts keeps you active
When COVID-19 came to the United States, the world as we know it was frozen in time. People were not getting out, moving, or exercising like they use to. Even with all of the craziness Martial Arts was still going strong. Even if we were having to teach and be taught in a different way. My instructors were holding virtual meetings to keep us training and active. Instead of sitting on the couch and playing video games all day, martial arts kept me active, moving, and honestly gave me something to look forward to that broke up the monotony of the day. Whether I was going out in my yard and working on planks, jogging around my house, or teaching and participating in a virtual training session, I was active and that has helped me in the long run.
2. Martial arts gives a sense of camaraderie
Now I know this one sounds strange especially in the middle of a global pandemic since we are not allowed to get together and have to stay six feet apart. But, it really did give me a stronger sense of camaraderie and belonging than I had felt in years past. Even though we were not together physically, my instructors Mr. and Mrs. Smith were very deliberate in still finding ways for us to all get together so the sense of belonging was still there. At least once a week the Smiths set up what we would call "hangouts". The hangouts were times for us to all get together online talk, play games, and get to be able to see each other. They got creative with the games, such as a scavenger hunt for certain objects in your house. They even had monthly challenges for us to participate in and gave out prizes to the winners. It is because of all of their hard work that we were able to all still feel we belonged and were able to keep our bonds strong. For that, I will be forever grateful.
3. Martial Arts gives you a sense of accomplishment
If you are like me when you first start a new journey you wonder if you will ever be good enough. Good enough to actually use what you are learning in everyday life, make your instructors or teachers proud, or be able to actually succeed. Martial arts is a wonderful way to be able to experience that sense of accomplishment and to show off your success. What COVID-19 actually showed me as a martial artist is how much I do know and how I should be proud of how much I have grown over the years. Since the way we have had to train is different, you might have to work harder to meet the goals you have set for yourself. COVID-19 also gave me more time to work on my short term goals. Setting goals is vitally important to a martial artist. Do you want to be able to kick higher? This is the perfect time to be able to work and do what you need to do to meet and exceed that goal you have set for yourself. By goal setting and meeting your goal, it improves your mental health by leaps and bounds.
I would have never thought a decision I made at 9 years old to take my first martial arts class would change me the way it has. It has made me a more confident individual who knows I can do anything I set my mind to. Martial arts have brought many people into my life and honestly some of the best friends I could ever have. I now have a place that I can truly be myself and be accepted for who I am. Even when the world is changing around me, martial arts has been constant and helps keep some sense of normalcy. I am so thankful for my instructors Mr. and Mrs. Smith for going above and beyond during the global pandemic to keep things as normal as they can. Being able to adapt to changes in the world around you is what makes a martial artist special, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith embody that. They are true martial artists and I wish I will be able to be like them one day and make them proud.