Tae bo is a challenging exercise and martial art form developed by Billy Blanks that became popular in the 1990s. Described as a hybrid of tae kwon do and boxing, tae bo can help to bring about many mental benefits. Like many other martial art forms, it can help to produce a feeling of greater peace of mind and a sense of connection between mind and body.
Mind-Body Connection
Billy Blanks developed tae bo because he felt that he had a positive message to share with the world in terms of not only helping people to get in shape but also to teach them how to develop a connection between mind and body. It is an art form that teaches a person how to communicate with their body and how the mind should operate with the spirit. In an interview with Beauty Buzz, Blanks states "it's about helping people work from the inside out instead of the outside in." In this sense, it can bring about the same benefits as a meditation practice or a tai chi workout, including a clearer mind, more relaxed mental attitude and feeling of the interrelatedness of the mind and body.
Positive Mental Health
Tae bo can also help with developing a positive sense of self-esteem. As with any form of exercise, it can promote "positive mental health as indicated by relief in symptoms of depression and anxiety," as stated in a study on the effects of exercise on mental health by Arizona State University researcher Daniel M. Landers. Self-esteem also improves as the body gets stronger and slimmer due to the intense physical workout of a tae bo routine. Tae bo is a total body workout that incorporates kicks, punches and stretching into a program that can improve balance, coordination, flexibility and strength. Because tae bo can be difficult, you also get a heightened sense of self-esteem because of the feeling of accomplishment after completing a workout.
Increased Mental Awareness
Increased mental awareness is another benefit of tae bo. According to Team Tae Bo, tae bo was one of the first workouts to incorporate the "Mind, Body, Spirit" philosophy that has become popular in many recent workout trends. This philosophy emphasizes the combination of all parts of an individual into one complete whole. Tae bo can help with increasing mental awareness because of its concentration on improving reflexes and coordination, speed, endurance, and overall body awareness. Exercises that focus on the mind, body and spirit connection, whether it is yoga, tai chi or tae bo, will not only improve your health but will also help to promote mental and emotional awareness by teaching you how to decrease levels of tension in your life and increase resistance to everyday stressors.
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