Many sports and other activities are mutually supportive in terms of developing the physical capacity and coordination to compete and/or succeed. Consider NFL athletes, such as former Chicago Bear Willie Gault, who have taken up ballet as a means of improving flexibility, balance and strengthening muscles that otherwise receive less attention. Gualt was hardly the ballet type when he played in the NFL and yet he was able to improve his ability in football by training in ballet.

One activity that stands in the middle of almost all others is martial arts. Flexibility, strengthening, balance and body control – they’re all there in martial arts. All of these traits offer benefits for football players, baseball players or almost any athlete. Even horseback riders can improve their ability in the saddle with martial arts.

“Martial arts really helps to improve your balance,” said Master Bonnie Thiel of AKF Spring Grove Flying Dragons. “That’s a benefit in many other activities.”

When asked to list specific sports where athletes will benefit from martial arts, Master Thiel said, “You name it – gymnastics, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, football. A mother of two of our students told me every coach at their school was trying to recruit her boys because they do so well. Their martial arts training helped them to develop their natural skills.”

She said students training in martial arts, such as Kyuki-Do, learn to develop and refine skills and abilities that go a long way to helping them compete at a higher level in other sports and activities. However, she said martial arts also stays with a person in ways that can affect their entire life.

“The mental aspect of martial arts is based on becoming centered with yourself,” she said. “Martial arts students develop more self confidence but without the arrogance. When someone works in martial arts for a while they come away with a sense they can succeed when one of life’s challenges. And, if it’s a problem they can’t go through or over, they’re able to see ways to go around it.”

Master Thiel said martial arts is also an excellent weight-loss program.

“At a fitness center, they need a bank of flat-screen televisions to keep members from losing interest in their workouts,” she said. “Martial arts, on the other hand, are fun. Our students really enjoy themselves and working out together. There’s no time for boredom.”

For more information about AKF Spring Grove Flying Dragons, visit http://www.sgflyingdragons.com or call 815-675-3504.