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Meet Your Warrior Self

What is Martial Arts Therapy?

Martial Arts Therapy is part of the family of evidence-based therapies that reach beyond the general parameters of "Talk Therapy" . These include Art Therapy, Movement Therapy, Music Therapy, Bibliotherapy and many others.

 

Martial Arts Therapy

  • Draws upon the principles and skills underlying traditional Martial Arts

  • Emphasizes the physical expression, exploration and release of emotional obstacles.

  • Offers an experiential approach consistent with learning theory and the latest findings in neuropsychology

  • Strengthens the internal state of calm, courage and compassion that cultivates confidence, resilience, and meaning.

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Moore, B., Woodcock, S. and Dudley, D. (2021), Well-being warriors: A randomized controlled trial examining the effects of martial arts training on secondary students’ resilience. Br J Educ Psychol, 91: 1369-1394 e12422. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12422

Weiser M, Kutz I, Kutz SJ, Weiser D. Psychotherapeutic aspects of the martial arts. Am J Psychother. 1995 Winter;49(1):118-27. doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1995.49.1.118. PMID: 7762694.

The martial arts and embodied distress tolerance in psychological therapy

Dr Syd Hiskeya ; Dr Neil Clapton

Private practice, The Oaks Hospital, 120 Mile End Road, Colchester, CO4 5XR

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Chatsworth House, Bath Road, Swindon, SN1 4BP

Fabio RA, Towey GE. Cognitive and personality factors in the regular practice of martial arts. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2018 Jun;58(6):933-943. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.17.07245-0. Epub 2017 May 5. PMID: 28480690.

Wang C, Bannuru R, Ramel J, Kupelnick B, Scott T, Schmid CH. Tai Chi on psychological well-being: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010 May 21;10:23. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-10-23. PMID: 20492638; PMCID: PMC2893078.

Y.-Y. Tang et al., Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 104, 17152–17156 (2007).

Jansen P, Dahmen-Zimmer K, Kudielka BM, Schulz A. Effects of Karate Training Versus Mindfulness Training on Emotional Well-Being and Cognitive Performance in Later Life. Res Aging. 2017 Dec;39(10):1118-1144. doi: 10.1177/0164027516669987. Epub 2016 Sep 29. PMID: 27688143.

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