If you look at it, Yoga and martial arts look completely the opposite. But what you don’t know is that practising yoga actually helps to prepare you for martial arts.

For beginners, the primary fundamentals of both disciplines are mindfulness, consciousness, and discipline. Both yoga and martial arts is philosophy, art, and lifestyle.

Hence, practising yoga is great preparation for martial arts and here are more reasons why:

Develops flexibility

Flexibility is one of the primary benefits of practising yoga and is certainly needed when practising martial arts.

Flexibility is extremely needed for crucial movements such as high kicks and submissions. Having enhanced flexibility will also help in preventing injuries during spar and fights.

Strengthens core

Having strong core results in strong punches and kicks which is you will develop when you practice yoga.

Yoga may be considered a low impact exercise, but it is effective in strengthening your core.

Boost endurance

With continuous yoga practice, you will boost your endurance. You will develop your muscle strength, stamina and your mental strength as you perform different poses especially as you progress to complex poses. Plus, you will also develop your breathing technique as well as your focus. All of which are needed when you practice martial arts.

Improves balance

Aside from flexibility, balance is another thing that yoga will help you improve with. With increased awareness of your mind and body, yoga helps you improve your balance and focus at the same time.

And that balance and focus are what you will need to become better in practising martial arts.

If you already practice yoga and are thinking of practising martial as well, then you are a good advantage as you have already built some fundamental requirements that you need for a smooth start.

Likewise, if you don’t want to jump right away to martial arts, then you might want to try practising yoga as your preparation.