New Age Health Spa
Escrima is ancient Filipino martial art that traditionally involves hand-to-hand combat, or stick-to-stick fighting; it is similar to karate, but incorporates weapons. An instructor named Jason Winkle, a professor of combat at West Point, has put this "fencing" type of workout using foam-covered sticks to an aerobic beat. The result? A mind/body discipline that yields an amazing cardio workout!
The beauty of this Escrima class is that it provides a much more "total body" class than most traditional aerobic workouts. The upper body is challenged as participants wield the stick to jab at the air, swing overhead like a lasso, or form figure eights in front of themselves--all moves which mimic defense and attack moves of the traditional martial art. Whatever is done on the right side of the body is also done on the left.
The lower body footwork follows aerobic-paced music, and the steps are similar to boxing foot patterns--shuffles back and forth, bounces in different directions, squats and lunges. The intensity can be increased or decreased, all according to an individual's fitness level.
So get ready to release some of that pent-up energy and tap into your assertive side! Especially if you've never tried any martial arts classes, here's your opportunity to sample one as you get an excellent total-body cardio workout!
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