Wing Chun is great for seniors! But why? In this article, we will reveal why Wing Chun is so good for seniors and detail the many benefits it has.
People ask, “Am I too old to start learning Wing Chun?” Usually they’re in their 50s asking this. But the truth is older adults well into their 70s and even 80s can enjoy the benefits of Wing Chun. It is very unique in its approach to self-defense and provides many, many physical and mental benefits.
Why Wing Chun is Great for Seniors
- Wing Chun is not for competition like so many other martial arts are. Its about self-improvement, not proving yourself.
- There aren’t any high kicks. Wing Chun focuses on improving balance and stability, not fancy kicks.
- Unlike other martial arts that may get you hurt, Wing Chun a safe exercise aimed at healthy movement and general physical safety.
- There are no splits. Wing Chun will help you be more flexible, but it won’t make you do crazy splits like other martial arts.
- You don’t roll around on the ground or get thrown to the ground. Wing Chun’s focus is on staying standing up and trains people how to become more stable on their feet. Plus for self-defense, the last place you want to be is on the ground.
The Benefits of Wing Chun for Seniors
Seniors can benefit immensely from practicing Wing Chun. Not only is it great for self-defense, Wing Chun is a martial art that offers a whole-body workout for a healthy mind and body. Wing Chun is so great for seniors because it can help increase how long you live and how well you live. This enables seniors to function independently for longer.
Studies have shown that Wing Chun can reduce mortality rates among seniors, making it an appealing activity for those who prefer not to jog. Here are some of the many ways Wing Chun can benefit seniors:
Lower Risk of Falling
What if Wing Chun could reduce the risk of falls among seniors by up to 50%? We’ll according to research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, an internal Chinese martial art focused on balance can do just that! Wing Chun leg strength, stability, balance, and self-awareness This helps seniors feel more confident when they move around and less likely to fall.
Relief from Arthritis and Other Pain
A study in Journal of Rheumatology revealed that gentle meditative movements like in Wing Chun’s forms can alleviate joint pain for seniors associated with arthritis by helping to retain joint range of motion. Many other martial arts hurt too much or create too much pain for a person with arthritis. Because Wing Chun is a softer martial arts focused on precision with low impact movements, it is much more suitable for seniors with arthritis. Plus Wing Chun can also be beneficial for treating pain from osteoporosis and restoring lost mobility.
A Healthier Cardiovascular System with Less Anxiety
Wing Chun can improve the health of your heart and blood vessels through the arts focus on relaxation. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine on a similar Kung Fu practice, found decreased blood pressure and with less anxiety. Therefore, Wing Chun can be used to help treat mild hypertension. Wing Chun can also improve the overall quality of life for people with heart failure, provide a safe form of exercise for heart attack survivors, and raise “good” cholesterol levels.
Enhanced Posture
Wing Chun focuses on improving posture in order to hardness power fromt he ground. This means strengthens the core, improving posture, mobility, and breathing. By learning to be more aware of how you stand and move seniors can be more efficient in their daily activities.
A Greater Sense of Calm
Wing Chun teaches seniors how to relax on quicker and on a deeper level. The art uses relaxation as its way to build awareness and greater groundedness. Wing Chun connects to and harnesses the energy of the ground for its stability and power. Learning how to do this for self-defense teaches seniors how to do this day-to-day in their everyday life.
These are just a few of Wing Chun’s many benefits for seniors. As you can see, there are many good reasons for seniors to practice Wing Chun!
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