| At first glance, Martial Arts and Yoga seem like | | | | indigenous Indian Martial art. |
| opposing forces and philosophies, but these two | | | | Boddidharma is said to have reached a level of |
| health maintenance systems have more in | | | | meditation that was very advanced. The body |
| common than meets the eye. For a moment, | | | | can be trained to a point, but the mind should also |
| consider the similarities between Tai Chi and Hatha | | | | be trained as well. This is a cornerstone to all |
| Yoga. Within the warm up, you notice very similar | | | | martial arts training. How often have we heard |
| movement, philosophy, and principles. | | | | about the three conflicts of mind, body, and spirit? |
| Why does "climb the mountain" stance look so | | | | This is why each martial arts school should |
| much like Warrior I posture? Is it coincidence, luck, | | | | encourage a Yoga class. The healing aspect of |
| or a common link? Why does Kundalini have | | | | Yoga is very beneficial to all martial artists - |
| movements that resemble punching, kicking, and | | | | regardless of their style. Some karate and kung |
| martial arts foot work? Are Kung Fu forms an | | | | fu centers have incorporated Yoga as part of the |
| extension of Vinyasa? Each has been referred to | | | | class schedule. The reason was to attract |
| as meditation in motion. | | | | mothers, who were hanging around the waiting |
| The place of origin, for most Asian martial arts, is | | | | area, to pick up their kids. |
| agreed to be the Shaolin Temple. Apparently, the | | | | While there is a demand for Yoga classes among |
| monks at the Shaolin temple had become very | | | | women, some martial artists, both male and |
| proficient at meditation, but had not developed a | | | | female, will join in to feel the healing benefits, |
| health maintenance system to sufficiently train | | | | meditate, increase flexibility, and much more. The |
| their bodies. | | | | fact is, much like martial arts, there are many |
| In the sixth century A.D., Bhoddidharma, a visiting | | | | styles of Yoga. |
| Buddhist monk, from India, began to teach the | | | | Some are very physical and demand a lot of |
| monks at the Shaolin temple, a form of physical | | | | endurance. So, there is no end to the possibilities |
| health maintenance, which is believed to be Yoga. | | | | of where the need for Yoga can fit within a |
| It is also said that Boddidharma was a member of | | | | karate or kung fu studio. After all these years, it |
| the Warrior caste. Therefore, he should also have | | | | looks like Yoga and martial arts will be together |
| had working knowledge of Kalarippayat; an | | | | again. |