Fit for life. This is the phrase I most often use to describe Xen-Do.

Repeat this phrase several times and reflect on it. What does it mean to you? Does the enormity of these three words sink in?

Physical

It’s easy to think of fitness on an immediate physical level and here the benefits of training with Xen-Do are easily seen; improved stamina, flexibility, strength and cardio performance. When we talk about life and relate that to our whole life, then fitness is even more significant if we are to remain active and literally ‘fit for life’, especially as we enter our 50’s and beyond.

Psychological

Let’s now look at mental fitness where again the immediate release of adrenaline and endorphins create a feel good factor. It’s when we look at mental fitness at a higher, longer term level that we begin to appreciate the contribution to our whole life outlook.

Parents bring their children to Xen-Do to improve their behaviour and performance at school. Many Xen-Do members have demanding careers and find the release from stress a major benefit.

However, it is in our improved resilience and enjoyment of life over the years that really counts: the determination to succeed in exams, career, interests and dreams.

Increasingly, I hear ‘self-defense’ given as a reason to take up martial arts and here I want to throw light on the delusion that proficiency on the dojo prepares you fully to face confrontation.

Of course, to an extent it does – the playground bully is deflated, maybe not always by physical means but the confidence and determination you exude.

We have the reflexes, stamina and skill to avoid confrontations, and if need be react to a physical altercation.

There is a misconception of both the scale and source of threat we face and this stifles our free spirit – ‘I would if I could’, ‘If only…’, ‘I wish’;

We are, in reality, living in safer times than ever before, yet our perception of risk varies from the naive ‘it couldn’t happen to me’ to the over cautious phobia, both detract from our wellbeing and ability to fulfil our aspirations.

Respect fear, hone your intuition to recognise it, acknowledge and repel that which impedes your aims and together with us at Xen-Do focus on becoming fitter for the whole of your life.

Fit For Life

Ouss,

Dai Master Raf

This article is based on opinion:
– the author is not a qualified doctor or anyone who can dispense medical advice.
– any opinions stated are just that and people should consult a doctor before making any dietary changes or changes of any nature prompted by the articles published by or on behalf of Xen-Do.
– under 16’s please obtain parental permission before posting anything online.