Understanding Kickboxing and Its Benefits Kickboxing is a hybrid offspring of martial arts and combat sports that originated

in Japan in the 1960s. This sport, which in ol es both kicking and p!nching, is based on the principles of Karate, "!ay Thai, and boxing. Kickboxing is practiced aro!nd the world as either a sport or a work o!t techni#!e. Techniques used in kickboxing Kickboxing !ses a combination of ario!s skills and techni#!es that make this sport !ni#!e. They incl!de$ Punching % This techni#!e is identical to the p!nches !sed in traditional western boxing. &t re#!ires strength in the arms and the strategic !se of force thro!gh the fist to tackle the opponent. Jab, cross, hook, !pperc!t, are some examples of this. Kicking % This techni#!e draws hea ily from the discipline of karate. &t re#!ires strength and balance of the entire body to tackle the opponent with the lower half of the body. 'ront kick, side kick, ro!ndho!se kick, axe kick, are some examples of this. Knee and elbow strikes % This techni#!e is infl!enced by the discipline of "!ay Thai. &t is practiced in the Japanese ersion of kickboxing, where the knee and the elbow are !sed as aids to tackle the opponent. (traight knee thr!st, rising knee strike, hooking knee strike are some examples of this. Defense % This is a techni#!e that helps a kick boxer in protecting the head and body from the attack of the opponent. &t in ol es strategic positioning and alignment of the body. (lip, bob and wea e, the co er !p, are some examples of this.

Rules followed in Kickboxing )s kickboxing is deri ed from se eral martial art forms in the world, each contrib!ting martial art form has some specific r!les* howe er, here are the r!les that are followed internationally$ 'ighters may strike each other with kicks and p!nches, and all strikes except for groin strikes are legitimate. The !se of elbows and knees to land strikes is forbidden. +linching, throwing or sweeping yo!r opponent off his,her feet is forbidden. 'ighters face off in bo!ts consisting of m!ltiple ro!nds lasting two min!tes each. )mate!rs fight a maxim!m of fi e ro!nds per bo!t, while professional bo!ts last a maxim!m of twel e ro!nds.

The advantages of practicing kickboxing Kickboxing is increasingly being seen not only as a sport b!t also as a way to bring abo!t harmony and balance between the body and the mind. &t is not only physical benefits that can be reaped from the practice of kickboxing. &t trains the mind to become increasingly disciplined that leads to positi e changes in lifestyles that lead to a better o erall physical and mental health. -ere are some

of the key benefits that kickboxing has to offer$ anage!ent of stress % Kicking and p!nching that forms the sport of kickboxing is an ideal stress b!ster. .!r bodies prod!ce chemicals called endorphins when we perform physical exercise. Kickboxing exercises m!ltiple m!scle gro!ps which releases a significant amo!nt of endorphins, which ca!ses a feeling of general well/being and relie es stress. )ll the negati e energy is channeli0ed o!t of the body thro!gh the force of the blows and allows the mind to ret!rn to e#!ilibri!m. Better coordination %1!ick mo ements and foc!sed approach helps de elop better reflexes and impro es the general mind and body. The composite nat!re of kickboxing with respect to the n!mber of m!scle gro!ps being worked de elops impro ed hand/eye coordination o er time, allowing for faster reflexes and better concentration. "eight loss / Kickboxing is a ery physically demanding sport that dramatically raises yo!r metabolism, making yo! b!rn m!ch more calories than yo! wo!ld otherwise, e en while at rest. ) single kickboxing session lasting an ho!r co!ld expend as m!ch as 200 calories. Detoxification % 3racticing kickboxing channeli0es the body energy and helps release acc!m!lated harmf!l toxins in the body thro!gh sweat. &t is a high intensity work o!t that increases the temperat!re of the body and acti ates the sweat glands. #ull bod$ workout% Kickboxing in ol es the !se of a wide range of m!scle gro!ps all o er the !pper and lower body, all at the same time, which res!lts in a lean, toned physi#!e. &ever hunch that back again% Kickboxing strengthens the core m!scle gro!ps in o!r body, therefore exercising those m!scles that we ne er get to exercise gi en the sedentary lifestyle we lead today. ) strong core ens!res good post!re. Revitali'ation% The higher metabolism, combined with the toned physi#!e and astly impro ed state of physical fitness are also stim!lating to the mind, so yo!4re always energetic, clear headed and fit as a fiddle