The cast of the iconic series Mahabharat recently made an appearance on Farah Khan's cooking show where Puneet Issar, who played Duryodhan, prepared saag mutton for the director-choreographer and other guests, which included Feroz Khan (who played Arjun) and Pankaj Dheer (who played Karan). During the show, Issar shared how he keeps fit. "I am 66 complete. I workout. I am fine. I do martial arts. Fit ek dum (absolutely fit), body is healthy," he said. Taking a cue from the veteran actor, let's understand the benefits of practicing martial arts. There are multiple martial arts, said Kishore, a mixed martial arts practitioner and teacher from Chennai, listing striking (boxing, kickboxing, muay thai) and grappling (wrestling, judo, aikido, jiu-jitsu) as the main types. "They have drills that can help with better motor movement," said Kishore. According to him, various martial arts promote holistic health. "Take judo, for example, which emphasizes strengthening muscles in the core and legs through throwing, grips, and defensive techniques," said Kishore. Our body may not be flexible or strong enough as we age, but marital arts are not just about physical movement; they balance mental health, spiritual growth, and physical development, said Shreeya Kelkar, 2nd Dan black belt, Yodhi Academy. "Regular practice can increase energy levels and reduce fatigue. It is not just about self-defense but self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-improvement, too," said Kelkar. But, here's the part that nobody would tell you, said Kishore: "Against public perception - martial artists do what they do for peace and stress relief. Physical fitness is just a bonus when it comes to martial arts." If you don't believe us, try punching a boxing bag (with hand wraps and gloves) when you are angry. "You become a less angry person after running, skipping, bag work, and cool down during the boxing session," said Kishore. Last but not least, when practicing martial arts, people need to take it slow and steady (and follow the instructor's advice carefully), asserted Kishore. "Overdoing/over-training the body to the point of exhaustion can lead to unnecessary accidents (especially in martial arts)," said Kishore. As it is a "sport of reflexes and reactions", it helps a person to concentrate and focus. "Martial arts is a sport that any person can practice in the long run. Age doesn't matter when you have a healthy heart," said Kelkar. Kishore emphasized the role of nutrition and supplements that need to be taken as one age to keep their strength going. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
