Anger is a response to perceived threats. It causes the body to tense, one's heart rate and breathing to quicken, and muscles to tighten. This is typically a normal, healthy feeling. However, it can harm relationships, emotional health, and even long-term physical health when it gets out of control. For the nearly one in ten people who struggle with anger, martial arts can provide a constructive outlet. The guide below explains.

Improved Focus & Discipline

All martial arts students must learn breathing and focusing techniques to control their bodies and their emotions. While it may seem counterintuitive to control anger by learning how to fight, martial arts' core principle is self-defense, which requires restraint, understanding, and calm. 

Studios emphasize safety, appropriate reactions, and thoughtfulness, and this is often made clear in the rules which all participants are expected to follow. While these skills will take time for newer students to develop, they’ll have positive role models in the more advanced students and their teachers. 

Research has shown that the focus required for martial arts, such as karate and taekwondo, can significantly reduce aggression, distractedness, and lack of confidence. 

Strengthened Positive Emotions

A key element of anger management is redirecting anger towards positive goals. Martial arts practitioners seek to harness their emotions to deliver more powerful blows and put up more effective defenses. This practice can also help them maintain a healthy weight and good muscle tone.

Like other forms of exercise, self-defense practice releases chemicals in the brain like endorphins and cortisol, which are associated with positive feelings of happiness, contentment, and relaxation. This, combined with the evidence of their own hard work, can help students develop the emotional skills to identify and redirect their anger in various situations.

If you’re interested in martial arts classes for yourself or your child, consider ATA Infinite Martial Arts in Centennial, CO. Serving karate and taekwondo enthusiasts in the Denver area since 1969, this renowned family martial arts school offers courses that combine fitness and fun with a strong focus on personal development and character. Call (303) 353-4951 today to ask questions about training options, or visit them online to learn more about their philosophies.