Did you know that your posture can influence whether or not you become the target of a crime?
Posture communicates physical condition, confidence, and awareness. And in my Aikido Class at the Texas Rock Gym, we’re always working on posture. It’s an essential part of the martial arts and an important part of self-defense. But let’s dig a little deeper. Poster also plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health, preventing injuries, and enhancing self-confidence. But you don’t have to take my Aikido class to work on that!
Good posture is more than just standing or sitting up straight; it’s the alignment of the body parts in relation to one another. Maintaining proper posture is essential for several reasons.
First, it helps prevent musculoskeletal problems like back pain, neck pain, and joint issues. Second, good posture contributes to efficient breathing and circulation, promoting overall cardiovascular health. And, if you haven’t seen my video on How Martial Arts Breathing Exercises Can Be Used In Everyday Life, please check it out after this one; I’ll leave a link in the description below. Lastly, good posture enhances your physical appearance and self-confidence, leaving a lasting impression on others.
In martial arts, whether it’s karate, tae kwon do, kendo, judo, or Aikido, we emphasize the importance of body control, balance, and proper alignment. In class, you are required to adopt specific stances, execute precise movements, and maintain a strong center of gravity. As you progress in your martial arts journey, you should develop a heightened awareness of your body and your posture, developing a deeper sense of body awareness. Where you are, how you’re standing, and where you are in relation to someone attacking you, you learn to pay attention to your body’s movements and patterns, cultivating mindfulness in every action.
This heightened awareness takes you beyond just the training mat and the dojo and extends into your everyday life. But again, you can work on this without taking a martial arts.
All you have to do is work on your core muscles. These are a group of muscles located in the torso and play a crucial role in providing stability, supporting movement, and maintaining proper posture. Now, to get a bit technical, your core encompasses several muscle groups like the Rectus Abdominis, the Obliques, the Transverse Abdominis, the Erector Spinae, the Multifidus, the Quadratus Lumborum, and the Pelvic Floor Muscles. You can do Three basic exercises at home or at a gym that work these muscle groups: Russian Twists, Deadlifts, and Plank.
But what I love about martial arts is that we’re always working on our core without having to work on it independently. Whether it’s kicking, punching, or groundwork, you develop a strong core that improves your posture and spinal alignment as you consistently engage in these movements.
In class, you’re also constantly developing your balance and coordination, which enhances proprioception, your body’s ability to perceive its position, movement, and the orientation of its various parts in space. As you become more attuned to your body’s alignment, this leads to improved posture.
What’s even more exciting about martial arts is that they require discipline and consistency. Regular practice reinforces positive habits, including maintaining good posture. This extends into your daily life, encouraging you to sit, stand, and move with intention and awareness.
Again, you don’t have to take my class of Aikido to work on your posture, but by taking my class or any martial arts class, you work on those core muscles that enhance your physical capabilities, elevate your overall posture, and help you feel healthier and more confident. That’s something you can take out of the dojo!