Kids Class will be cancelled b/c we cant assure that our instructors can make it to the gym, however, we will be open for Open Mat 12:30-2:30pm Saturday and Sunday July 16 and 17 during the Carmageddon for those who can make it in!

Battling “Carmageddon” in West Los Angeles: How Martial Arts Can Relieve Stress from The 405 road closures

Because the 405 will be shutting down from Interstate 10 to Interstate 101 from July 15 12:00am -July 18 5:00am experts are predicting that Carmageddon” in West LA will occur. Although a funny expression, this 10 mile stretch is traveled by 287,000 cars daily and is expected to cause delays in all of Los Angeles but particularly in West LA including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Venice, Brentwood, Westwood, UCLA area.

Not only does this kind of traffic shut down cause a head ache for locals in the West LA vincinity but also for those who live as far as Anaheim, bakersfield, and San Diego. This shut down is predicted to cause the largest traffic jam in LA’s history and possibly a huge factor in causing stress (even if its temporarily).

Recommendation: Stay local, Travel by bike or by foot, and when the weekend is over…. WORKOUT and relieve some stress that this summer time shut down will cause.

There are several ways to relieve stress but the best ways are through meditation, relaxation, and excercise. Although there are several ways to do these things, the most inclusive way is through martial arts. Including but not limited to Brazilian jiu jitsu (also spelled jujitsu & jui jitsu), judo, kung fu, mma (mixed martial arts), kickboxing, boxing, karate, tae kwon do and muay thai.

Martial arts are a great form of body stress relief as many of the skills and techniques have a lot of similarities with those practiced in actual stress relief classes. With the highway closures, beginning of bikini season, and school being out, this sport is a great solution to battle stress.

Fighting is only a small portion of what makes up martials arts. The fact is, the skills and techniques used in martial arts such as BJJ and MMA, teach you how to balance your body and your mind. Therefore this helps give you the confidence required in the event that you face stress in your life. Through breathing and meditation techniques that martial artists use, your body and your mind are connected and controlled. The techniques that are practiced include breathing in through your nose while exhaling it through your mouth. In the context of the Chinese breathing concept when you breath in and out, you are allowing a “Chi”, a form of energy, to complete a circulation path throughout your body; thereby connecting your body and mind together.

The major benefits of taking up martial arts as a form of stress relief include improvements in

1. Alertness

2. Confidence

3. Attention

4. Focus

5. Physical conditioning

All these qualities combined are priceless as it is not just great for your body, they are also great for your mind and soul. So find a form of martial arts that you like and start by signing up for a class at your local martial art schools, whether you are in West LA, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Bel Air, or other surrounding areas including 90405, 90404, 90210, 90211, 90024, 90025, 90232, 90291, there is a program for you.

You will owe it to yourself after “Carmageddon” or anything else life throws at you to start battling stress in a healthy, positive, and motivating way.

Stress relief with martial arts is great and truly exists! But if you feel like you need more… heres 5 quick tips

1.Take a Walk

2.Take a Break 3

.Listen to Music

4.Look on the Bright Side

5.Take a Bath

For more info, visit:   www.LAtimes.com