WHEELCHAIR KUNG FU
"The only limitations you have are the ones you set on yourself"
First Class is always free!
The Importance of Physical Activity For People In A Wheel Chair
Even for wheelchair people exercise is vital to health. Making time amongst the continual struggle of balancing one's life may be difficult, but it is not impossible. Working out and balanced nutrition go hand in hand.
For someone in a wheelchair there may be a real and understandable fear of pain towards physical exercise. People confined to a chair are all too familiar with shoulder, neck and back strain and its associated pain.
The benefits must be firmly borne in mind. Structured physical activity will strengthen the core muscles, improve balance and circulation, improve the quality of sleep and help with digestion.
In addition, you person will feel and look better. There will also be some relief of musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, cramps and stiffness. Aerobic work strengthens the heart and lungs and, in conjunction with a diet, will assist weight loss. Additional benefits are a lessening of the risk of such disabilities as: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and osteoporosis.
EFFECTS OF MARTIAL ARTS ON PEOPLE IN A WHEELCHAIR
Winning Attitude
A martial arts program stimulates the winning attitude; developing some individual goals as well as team goals. In addition, it is based on the “Yes I can” and “With hard work everything is possible” attitude that increases the self-identity and self-worth. People in a wheel chair will build the idea that the movement is possible in a wheel chair and that they can develop complex movements and motor skills as well as others. Kung fu means “Hard work to reach the ability”.
Positive Lifestyle
Once the martial arts becomes part of your lifestyle, you will gain mental and physical characteristics, plus philosophical aspects, typical of the martial arts, that can be applied to school, work and social life. Also, you will increase your:
- • Self control of physical and emotional body
- • Self discipline
- • Self confidence
- • Self esteem
- • Self worth
Mind-Body Link
Martial Arts training is a ‘right-brain’ activity. This allows students who have difficulty learning in more conventional ways an opportunity to excel and build their inner-self. This can address individuals with brain injury and participants with various learning disabilities such as ADD, dyslexia and autism.
Motor Control
Martial arts covers a wide range of gross and fine motor skills exercises. So participants will increase their understanding and control of their body.
GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
• Self Defense Instruction:
Techniques in self defense of Kung Fu will be taught to the participants. Moreover, they will be introduced to special techniques developed for people in a wheel chair that need to defend themselves against people not on a wheel chair.
• Martial Arts Instruction:
Participants will have the possibility to earn rank in Kung Fu; working toward the black sash. Moreover, we can give them the possibility to participate in competitions, demonstrations and courses to become instructors.
• Physical Rehabilitation:
The practice of Kung fu will increase motor and coordination skills like flexibility, strength, and balance. Moreover, the physical activity will reduce pain caused by the forced position in the wheel chair.
• Emotional well-being:
Working on the self, the program is an opportunity of personal grow on every level.
