used with permission from SportsXpress.com

You're health conscious. You want to stay young, fit and agile. Health Canada says in order to maintain a healthy active lifestyle you need: resistance training for muscle tone, aerobic training for cardiovascular fitness and a stretching program to increase/ maintain your flexibility.

But you're busy, you've got life going on. Too busy with work, too busy with the kids. How can you find time to do all the things that Health Canada says you should? The answer lies in Martial Arts. Men and women both young and old are finding martial arts classes to be a fun and challenging way to keep active and fit.

In fact, Martial Arts are one of the few physical activites which includes all of the areas determined to be necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Classes include exercises for flexibility, muscular and cardiovascular fitness. Adults who begin training in the martial arts see remarkable improvements in those three areas in a very short time.

Not to be confused with Kickboxing, most martial arts styles frown on excessive physical contact and are safe for any/ all body types. Physical fitness is not the only benefit however, as participants notice improvements in concentration and reduction of stress. Your self discipline will increase as will the self confidence that comes from the knowledge that if need be, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.