In an effort to help returning soldiers more easily assimilate into society after returning from duty, the Sheng Chi Training Center is offering free martial arts training to veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Classes will be offered for the remainder of the year.
“Everyone can realize tremendous benefits from martial arts training but these benefits are even more pronounced in those dealing with stress”, Says Phil Weaver of the Sheng Chi Training Center. “We've seen a number of veterans drastically improve their lives through training over the years”. According to Weaver there are many reasons martial arts are beneficial in the treatment of stress but the main one is the total absorption in the activity. The motions of kung fu are complex. Although they are fun to learn they completely involve the mind and the body. The student is completely involved in body awareness and focusing on the lesson. There simply is no room for stress.
Students typically leave the Quan ( Mandarin for school) feeling energized and stress free. This is a welcome mental break for anyone suffering from cyclical negative thought patterns. Simply being able to be free of those mental patterns for a while often helps in ridding oneself of those patterns. This phenomena has been noticed by martial arts teachers for years but there are no known studies.
The effort to provide training to veterans was suggested by martial artist Tom Callos. Mr. Callos has been a consultant to the martial arts industry for ten years and advocates what he calls social entrepreneurship. Essentially social entrepreneurs measure their bottom line not on profits but on their impact to their community. The Sheng Chi Training Center follows the concepts of social entrepreneurship.
The program is funded by the Sheng Chi Foundation. The Sheng Chi Foundation is a California non-profit public benefit corporation based in Valley Springs which was founded by Phil and Liz Weaver to help bring the benefits of martial arts training to those who need it most. This includes at-risk youth, veterans, and other individuals in need of physical and mental development. Information on the Sheng Chi Foundation can be found at www.shengchifoundation.com and donations can be sent to 139 Main St. Valley Springs.
