9781422286708

Eastern Training Methods

The phrase “East and West, never the twain shall meet,” is true where health-and-fitness training are concerned. While this form of training in the West becomes ever more specialized, Eastern training can be de- scribed as “holistic.” The aim of any fitness program is to develop muscular strength, aerobic (heart-lung) fitness, and flexibility. The Western approach is to treat these three main components of fitness as separate, with dedicated activities for each: weight-training for strength; running, swimming, or aerobics for heart-lung fitness; and stretching or yoga for flexibility. Often, little or no attention is paid to the other components of fitness, such as balance, coordination, and speed unless you are practicing a sport. (Although drills do exist to develop these skills, they are usually reserved for professional athletes.) For the average Western exerciser, any of the extra skills he or she learns are picked up randomly, while doing the activity or sport itself. The martial arts have a different approach to fitness. Althoughmartial artists will performstrengthening exercises, such as push-ups and sit-ups, The martial arts provide an integrated training program suitable for students of any age. These young taekwondo martial artists are practicing their skills in a high-kicking drill.

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