Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, My Guest Posts

My Guest Post: Keeping an Eye on Taekwondo in the Olympics

This article was originally a guest post on the website BookMartialArts.com.

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 The 2016 Olympics have begun, and martial artists all over the world will be tuning in to watch the events. Taekwondo, one of the world’s most popular martial arts, debuted as an official medal sport in the 2000 summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Prior to that taekwondo was a demonstration sport in the 1988 summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, and later at the 1992 summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Currently taekwondo and judo are the only Eastern martial arts included in the summer Olympic games, although the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has proposed including karate for the 2020 games in Tokyo. Anyone can enjoy and learn from the taekwondo matches whether they are familiar with the sport or not.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, My Guest Posts, The Poomsae Series, Training Tips

My Guest Post: Discipline of the Body and Mind: Using Forms As Moving Meditation

This article was originally a guest post on the website BookMartialArts.com.

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Several martial arts use forms, or, sequences of blocks, kicks, and strikes, as a means of practicing offensive and defensive techniques. Strong stances, powerful blocks, and forceful strikes balance out the calm, calculating flow of most forms. The variety and combinations of movements allows martial arts students to experiment with how their bodies move and respond in different situations. While forms lack the urgency and timing of an actual fight, they harness the power of repetition and refinement that can be practiced without the limitations that can come from working with a partner.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Injury and Recovery, My Guest Posts, Training Tips

My Guest Post: To Treat or Not To Treat? How to Handle Your Martial Arts Injury

This article was originally a guest post on the website BookMartialArts.com.

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An injury can be a major setback for a martial artist, not only physically but also psychologically. Pain may put a temporary hold on practice, which can lead to isolation, depression, and discouragement. On the other hand, it can be tempting to avoid seeking treatment for fear that you’ll be told to stop training, which could lead to further injury. I’ve learned some valuable lessons about how to respond to a frustrating injury and hope the tips I’ve picked up along the way can encourage those martial artists who are contemplating whether to seek treatment for pain or not.*

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, My Guest Posts, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

My Guest Post: Five Things I’d Tell My White Belt Self

This article was originally a guest post on the website BookMartialArts.com.

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Congratulations! You’ve joined a martial arts school! I bet you’re looking forward to the punching, throwing, kicking, or rolling you’ll be doing. Maybe you started martial arts because you want to get in better physical shape. Maybe you want to compete in tournaments. Maybe you want to learn to defend yourself. Maybe you just wanted a new challenge. Whatever your reasons are, you will hopefully benefit from the life-changing aspects of martial arts.
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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, My Guest Posts, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

My Guest Post: How Female Martial Artists Can Celebrate Their Strengths

This article was originally a guest post on the website BookMartialArts.com.

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Martial arts can benefit women in girls in many ways: it provides a boost in confidence, improves physical fitness, and of course teaches self defense skills. Even a strong, confident female fighter can sometimes feel like a fish out of water, though. Very often a woman may find she’s the only one in the dojo surrounded by bigger, stronger men. A young girl may be surrounded by a gaggle of rambunctious boys.

Rather than feeling like the odd one out, a female student can take advantage of the unique opportunities martial arts gives her to celebrate her strengths.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Mental Health, My Guest Posts, Training Tips

My Guest Post: What to Do When Your Martial Arts Practice Feels Stagnant

This article was originally a guest post on the website BookMartialArts.com.

Boxer-working-with-coachHave you ever felt like something was off in your martial arts practice? You find that it’s becoming harder to drag yourself to class, and if you make it there, you’re stealing glances at the clock the entire time. Or perhaps you do enjoy going to class and working out, but it feels like you’re going through the same old motions over and over. Maybe you don’t feel challenged enough, or you’ve hit a plateau and feel frustrated that you can’t get past it.
Are you burned out, or are you just bored?

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