Many of the skills and techniques used in martial arts training are the same skills and techniques you can use to rid your body of stress. The portrayal of martial arts in the media as a fighting tool shows only a small facet of the art. The skills necessary for training martial arts can teach you how to balance your mind and body and give you the confidence you need to face the stressful events in your life.

One of the techniques used to create this balance is using breathing and meditation techniques to help you connect and control your mind and body.

1. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.

2. Breathe deeply. If your stomach isn’t pushing out as you breath in, you’re not breathing deeply enough. This keeps helps minimize your saliva and swallowing.

In the Chinese way of thinking, breathing like this is completing a path: The mouth is a gate and the tongue on the roof of the mouth allows your vital energy (“Chi”) to circulate throughout your body. Chi is what helps your mind and body connect.

After you’ve gotten the physical aspects of breathing down, you can start counting your breaths – this is a form of meditation that many experts teach during stress management courses. Start short and work your way up.

Begin with a count of 4 as you breathe in and a count of 6 as you breathe out. How does it work? The connection of mind and body through breathing works because stress is a mental state that manifests itself as a physical symptom in your body. Once you notice your trigger, you can stop and do something about it such as practicing a breathing technique.

The overall benefits of training martial arts for the mind and body (including self-awareness, self confidence, focus, concentration and physical conditioning) all lead to reducing that stress. You owe it to yourself to start relieving the stress in your life with the skills taught through martial arts. The best place to find these skills is at a fine martial arts school, which you can find in your local directory.