Tae Bo?

[scameter18]

Hello. My father and I have been dealing with weight and fitness problems for most of our lives, and we are planning on starting a new diet and exercise regimen in the near future. We live in a relatively confined space and with limited funds so we wanted to find an exercise where one could do it standing up and without equipment. We thought that Tae Bo, the popular martial art that combines martial arts and boxing, would be good, but it seems to also have a spiritual or mental aspect beyond just the physical workout. Could someone give me a Catholic opinion of Tae Bo? Would it be too dangerous or wrong to do as a Catholic, since/if it involves something interior? Also, does anyone know if it is an effective exercise method? Thank you all for the info and God bless! Please pray for my father and I as we try to lose weight and get in shape!

 

[theyoungmonk]

I had never really heard of it before this post but have done a bit of research. There does not to seem to be an inherent problem with it from what I can see as it is not a “organic” marital art based on eastern mysticism but rather a mix of fighting moves and boxing.

Of course if there is anything that whiffs of it promising “spiritual growth” or the like and any form of “relaxation techniques” or mediation then I would be much more wary and would not touch it with a barge pole. As long as it sticks to physical fitness and is purely physical not emotional/spiritual/mental then there should be no worries.

 

[Meemai]

scoobysworkshop.com/losing-weight-and-building-6-pack-abs/

Please go trough this site, this guy is a bodybuilder that wants to put a stop to the people buying expensive supplements and equipment. He gives really good advice and does not motivate you to go spend your money, since money is a problem his advice will be great.

As for losing weight I reccomend cycling, jogging, brisk walking, jump rope.

Or just go boxing. You can buy 2 pairs of boxing gloves and just box on the gloves. I used to do this with a boxing group.

 

[GirlScoutVet]

Cycling, jogging, swimming, walking are all great forms of exercise, but they can be isolating, unless you find a group to exercise with. I think that’s why classes like Tae Bo or Zumba have such popularity: when working to get back into shape it can be very helpful to have the support of a group. Others do well on their own. If group support is what you seek, check your own parish or nearby parishes to see if they offer anything…if not…don’t be afraid to start your own!!! What an outreach that would be!!!

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Hello. My father and I have been dealing with weight and fitness problems for most of our lives, and we are planning on starting a new diet and exercise regimen in the near future. We live in a relatively confined space and with limited funds so we wanted to find an exercise where one could do it standing up and without equipment. We thought that Tae Bo, the popular martial art that combines martial arts and boxing, would be good, but it seems to also have a spiritual or mental aspect beyond just the physical workout. Could someone give me a Catholic opinion of Tae Bo? Would it be too dangerous or wrong to do as a Catholic, since/if it involves something interior? Also, does anyone know if it is an effective exercise method? Thank you all for the info and God bless! Please pray for my father and I as we try to lose weight and get in shape!

Tai Bo, like boxing requires working out on a heavy bag, so you need equipment and space.

It also requires sparing in order to learn it well. Depending on the age of your father, if he’s over 40, I would avoid sparing. Been there and done that in Martial Arts and the recovery time is too long for a person of that age, who has never trained in MA before.

Even the well experienced in MA will move to softer forms, like Tai Chi, after a certain age. It depends on the individual and their level of experience.

Personally, I went to Tai Chi, then to Power Yoga by Allan Finger, which is a great work out and the only equipment necessary is a yoga mat.

Here’s a beginners introduction.

youtube.com/watch?v=pvw5UgEIck0

Here’s the Power Yoga Video

amazon.com/Yoga-Zone-Power-Strength-Endurance/dp/B000060MUD/ref=pd_cp_mov_1

Jim

 

[theyoungmonk]

Tai Bo, like boxing requires working out on a heavy bag, so you need equipment and space.

It also requires sparing in order to learn it well. Depending on the age of your father, if he’s over 40, I would avoid sparing. Been there and done that in Martial Arts and the recovery time is too long for a person of that age, who has never trained in MA before.

Even the well experienced in MA will move to softer forms, like Tai Chi, after a certain age. It depends on the individual and their level of experience.

Personally, I went to Tai Chi, then to Power Yoga by Allan Finger, which is a great work out and the only equipment necessary is a yoga mat.

Here’s a beginners introduction.

youtube.com/watch?v=pvw5UgEIck0

Here’s the Power Yoga Video

amazon.com/Yoga-Zone-Power-Strength-Endurance/dp/B000060MUD/ref=pd_cp_mov_1

Jim

As Catholics we should not have anything to do with Tai Chi or Yoga these things are very dangerous and seeped in eastern mysticism. They are generally based upon “energy” etc. and are an open door for the devil.

 

[scameter18]

Thank you all for your advice, I really appreciate it.

Meemai, good to see a Catholic in the Netherlands!

God bless!

 

[JimR-OCDS]

As Catholics we should not have anything to do with Tai Chi or Yoga these things are very dangerous and seeped in eastern mysticism. They are generally based upon “energy” etc. and are an open door for the devil.

Just doing the exercises in Yoga and Tai Chi is not dangerous and I’ve spoken with many monks, priest and devote Catholics who do these exercises without any problem.

You’re new to Catholicism and you’ll learn that the Church does not reject what is good in these things, just because they’re not Catholic.

Power Yoga, as I pointed to, has no spirituality whatsoever in it. In fact, the workout is enough to deal with.

Also Tai Chi, I did years ago, had no spirituality in it. Spiritual aspects are outside of the exercise and for Christians, it’s Christian Spirituality.

But this debate has gone over and over in this forum, and I don’t care to participate in such nonsense anymore.

Jim