Learning Martial Arts in Recovery
When people give up an addiction, they usually have plenty of time on their hands. It is advisable that they make good use of these empty hours, or they may begin to experience boredom. This is dangerous because it can lead people towards relapse.
One productive way of using this time is to learn martial arts. This activity can strengthen people’s mind as well as their body. Many people associate martial arts with fighting, but these activities are more about teaching people self-discipline and encouraging mental cultivation. These combat systems can be of great benefit to people in recovery.
General Benefits of Martial Arts
Those who practice martial arts get to enjoy a number of benefits:
Practising martial arts in recovery can be highly beneficial for several reasons:
Beginning a martial arts practice is not something that people usually regret. There are some steps that the individual can take to increase their likelihood of benefiting from martial arts:
General Benefits of Martial Arts
Those who practice martial arts get to enjoy a number of benefits:
- These ancient combat systems can be a great way to stay physically in shape. They can benefit almost every part of the body. There can be impressive cardiovascular benefits with some of the more intense martial arts.
- Practising a martial art teaches people discipline. In order for people to become good at these fighting systems, the practitioner must be willing to sacrifice many hours, and put in a great deal of effort. They can use this discipline in almost every area of their life.
- These arts equip people to defend themselves in an emergency situation.
- Arts like Tai Chi and Aikido act as a type of moving meditation. This is great for relaxation and mental development. Even the hard martial arts can be a form of meditation.
- All of these disciplines improve coordination and balance to at least some extent.
- Martial arts training increases people’s confidence. Not only do they feel better able to defend themselves in a threatening situation, but they are also likely to feel more comfortable in their own skin.
- Those who master these arts tend to be humble. This is because they no longer feel they need to prove anything to anybody. They are more aware of their strengths and limitations.
- These disciplines can be a type of spiritual path. The individual practising them can develop both inwardly and outwardly.
Practising martial arts in recovery can be highly beneficial for several reasons:
- It allows them to regain their physical health. Abusing alcohol or drugs causes great harm to the body, and practising martial arts can help restore health.
- Self-discipline is essential to a successful recovery. Many good things in life require persistent effort and a bit of sacrifice. By learning martial arts, the individual will be able to extend this discipline to other areas of their life.
- People who become addicted to substances tend to suffer from low self-esteem. Those who devote themselves to these arts will gain mastery over their body and minds. This will greatly increase their confidence and self-esteem.
- If people are bored in recovery it will leave them feeling unsatisfied. This means that they will be more likely to relapse. By taking up a martial art, the individual will have something constructive to do with their time.
- Early recovery can be a stressful time. It is often described as an emotional roller-coaster. This type of physical activity gives people the opportunity to release some of their pent up tensions. The meditation aspects of these martial arts can also be wonderful for helping people to be better able to handle stress.
- You will become part of a mutually supportive group, all striving for the same goals.
Beginning a martial arts practice is not something that people usually regret. There are some steps that the individual can take to increase their likelihood of benefiting from martial arts:
- Even a small town will usually have several different schools teaching martial arts. It is recommended that people do a bit of investigation into the different styles before making any decision.
- It is a good idea if people consider what they want from this activity. For example, it is important to consider whether they want something that is more spiritual or physical in nature.
- All the different styles of martial art will have people of all ages practicing them. Some of them are more physically demanding than others. Those who plan on learning one of the more intensive arts will need to be willing to increase their fitness to a high level.
- It is a good idea if people speak to their doctor before beginning any new fitness regime. This is particularly important if they have not exercised in a long time or if they have any pre-existing medical conditions.
- In order to progress in a martial art, people need to be willing to commit to regular practice. They will be able to develop much faster if they can go to at least two classes a week and if they also practice at home.
- Most martial arts classes will allow people to come for a free introduction lesson. This can be a good way to assess what is on offer.
with thanks to the www.alcoholrehab.com website.
There are almost always 3 parts to recovery: 1.Detox, take the thing away, substance, thing or habit. 2. Rehab, learning about the disease and the life and path away from it, usually heavily cognitive behavioural therapy based - a re-programming of the mind and re-basing it to the truth as rather than perceived reality (very different) and then 3. Recovery.
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Two fundamental truths are; addiction is a disease no-one asks for, like any other disease, one day, you find out you have it and like many other diseases it is very often genetic and, being an addict is a bloody difficult, full time job!
This is why we have the 12 steps. Each one is vital and must be understood, lived and owned by the addict (addicts cannot be 'cured', they can however have much better, fulfilling, happier lives if they don't use and swap their full time job as an addict for a different one – the day’s activities must be planned). The 12 steps can be easily digested as 'surrender (1-3), change (4 - 7), acceptance (8&9) and maintenance (10 - 12). On this level, the path through Aikido is the very same and acts as a reminder of the steps; Surrender your ego and admit you don't know & can't do everything, change the way you do things by humbling asking for help, accept what you've done before and learn from it and then maintain your progress. Repeat as required.
Now, an exact mirror of the steps by which an addict must live is available to us as part of filling our time now that we don't have the full time job of being an addict! IF YOU READ THE 12 STEPS, ALCOHOL, DRUGS, GAMBLING, ETC ARE NOT MENTIONED. The 12 steps is ALL about fixing the person, RECOVERING the person. Time on the mat with others involved in the journey of a martial art may therefore be considered as exactly the same as regular attendance at a meeting and interaction with a sponsor or 'old-timer', all of whom are on the journey with you.
There is more. It's easy to talk about mental, physical and spiritual health and improvement. The need for physical ability brings about a better diet. A better diet brings about better brain chemistry, the mental application required involves the brains 'elasticity' in forming new, healthy neurological pathways and the nutrients now available (and which can be processed and provided by better organ function) are used in forming these pathways as well as repairing damage.
Practicing addicts are not happy people. They are chaotic, deceitful, frightened people. The problem is, the one thing they need to work properly to get them into recovery, their brain, is where the disease resides. So, the prospect of not having the next drink, hit, bet etc. is actually, usually physically terrifying. That 'one more' takes the symptom away. Therefore, a happy life is required. Happy life needs happy brain chemistry. Happy brain chemistry is achieved through good nutrition, exercise, meditation and spiritual awareness. QED!
The loop is complete, as it is with the steps. For an addict, with a disease that cannot be cured, any activity which brings you these things and mirrors the 12 steps by which life must be led, is part of living that happy life that when ‘using’ could not be imagined. Aikido, in particular, is tailor made.
Of course, I speak from experience and thank Sensei Dunken Francis for his help in my continued recovery from alcoholism.
I think about substances like marijuana and beer but I also feel like other things inhibit people like any impulsive behavior you mentioned gambling. For me it's easy to abstain from getting completely wasted because I don't like being hung over the next day but what about over eating, sugar and caffeine? It seems like if I make the choice not to drink a coue beers after work I fill in with sugary sweets.
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