| According to history, in A.D. 527, an emperor named | | | | and improved endurance. Martial arts training also |
| Wu Di invited an Indian monk named Bodhidharma to | | | | includes meditation. These moments of stillness may |
| travel to China. The purpose of the journey was for | | | | bring short periods of relaxation. Some people actually |
| Bodhidharma to come and teach his fellow monks in | | | | see martial arts as "moving meditation." Researches |
| certain exercises to help strengthen their bodies. | | | | have also shown that the regular practice of martial |
| Monks in Henan province were frequently attacked | | | | arts help release stress and improve one's |
| by bandits and had no training in how to defend | | | | self-esteem. |
| themselves. | | | | Sexual health |
| After arriving in Henan Temple, Bodhidharma | | | | But more than just a system of self-defense and |
| meditated for nine long years. After he finished the | | | | meditation, the martial arts practice is also associated |
| meditation, Bodhidharma wrote two books entitled, | | | | with the improvement of libido and overall sexual |
| "Yi Jin Jing" and "Xi Sui Jing". The former was about | | | | performance. People who frequently exercise have |
| exercises for developing external strength while the | | | | more energy, less anxiety, better self-esteem, and |
| latter was about meditation and breathing. After | | | | increased testosterone levels. Martial arts not only |
| finishing the two books, he wrote a third book | | | | firms one's body and improve their overall health, |
| entitled "Shi Bao Luo Han Shou" (The Eighteen Hands | | | | martial arts can also improve one's sex life. The |
| of Lohan), which was about his experiences as a | | | | practice of martial arts entails rigorous physical |
| member if the Kshatriya. (Indian warriors and rulers). | | | | exertion. Still, Bodhidharma was careful to teach his |
| This book included synchronized defensive routines. | | | | monk-students about the virtue of moderation. He |
| Historians consider this book as the first manual on | | | | taught them that even in martial arts, care must be |
| offensive and defensive combat movements. That | | | | exercised to avoid over-training. Some studies show |
| was how the martial arts began in China. | | | | that too much intense physical training may have an |
| These facts explain the close similarity of the | | | | effect on one's sterility. An investigation by health |
| postures in Chinese martial arts and yoga. Both | | | | experts revealed that exercising too much causes |
| traditions focused on the lower abdominal region as | | | | fatigue, which then temporarily reduces sperm count |
| the center of all human energy (chi, pneuma, ki). | | | | and quality. Other researches point out that those |
| Martial arts and Yoga were both developed to | | | | who exercised to the point of exhaustion produced |
| promote a healthy body, increase lifespan, and attain | | | | less sperm during ejaculation. Specialists say that this |
| a state of bliss. | | | | happens because the body literally "kills" itself during |
| According to Eastern beliefs, the mysterious power | | | | training. To build muscles and improve the body, it |
| of the chi is responsible for self-healing, self-recovery, | | | | needs to recuperate to attain normal cell |
| and self-realization; and that ll life in the cosmos is | | | | development. Intense physical activities may reduce |
| inspired by the chi. As the "life force" or vital energy | | | | the level of hormones in the bloodstream that |
| that is present in every living thing, it is also the same | | | | affects sperm production. Medical experts believe |
| force that controls the universe. Chi is the Chinese | | | | that sperm levels return to nearly normal after about |
| word for the word life...and translated as 'pneuma' in | | | | three days. They added that drinking coffee after a |
| Greek... and 'ki' in Japanese. | | | | few hours of training may protect sperm quality |
| Clinical studies show that martial artists use several | | | | because of the antioxidants that are found in |
| aspects of fitness like muscular strength, endurance, | | | | caffeine. |
| aerobic, and anaerobic conditioning. Their training also | | | | Indeed, understanding the benefits of martial arts and |
| involves flexibility, body composition, motor skills, and | | | | exercise can make a difference in one's life. If done |
| coordination. These training modes may give | | | | properly, these arts may promote good health, and |
| practitioners health benefits such as stronger muscles | | | | an even better sex life. |