Since the dawn of mankind, the bow and arrow has been an integral part of the human experience. It has been a tool that has fed families, built empires and even cleansed the soul of the people who have taken the time to unlock it’s secrets. While times have changed for our species, the art of archery STILL has many benefits that can be utilized to this day.
There as many you may not have even thought of.
Let’s unlock these secrets once again and remember why archery is good for you!
HUNTING
While this seems like an obvious one, there are a few things that many don’t think of on several different levels. I don’t necessarily want to get into the terminal factors or endorphins of the animal aspect but would rather discuss often overlooked pieces of this puzzle. Bowhunting typically has a longer season that can be hunted. It can be done in complete silence, not disturbing neighbors or the wildlife and it will strengthen other skills. Archery, especially traditional archery, aids in strengthening stabilizer muscles for improved pistol and long gun shooting.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONING
Most people are surprised the first time they try to draw back a bow of reasonable weight. This is especially true of traditional style bows. A correct draw will require the archer to engage their core, their back, their chest, their shoulders, arms and hands in order to lock into a full draw position. Depending on your draw weight, you may also end up engaging your legs as well.
While the strength aspect seems obvious, let’s not forget about an often overlooked aspect of archery…..cardio. No, I’m not talking about running while you’re shooting or some LARP event. I’m talking about the simple act of getting your steps in for the day. You would be absolutely ASTOUNDED at the number of steps you can get in walking just 10 – 15 yds retrieving your arrows.
Shooting arrows at the range beats the treadmill ANY day of the week!
Here’s a hack for you — Take only 2 or 3 arrows with you. See how many steps you get
STRESS RELIEF
Without a doubt, most of the health issues that plague us these days is related to matters of stress. That stress comes in many forms but most of it is related to a state of constant worry or anxiousness. There are so many factors in our modern society that are constantly demanding our attention.
With archery, your attention is focused only at the task at hand. You’re focusing on your muscle tension and relaxing your body into skeletal alignment. Your eyes are relaxed, focusing on your target while you control your breath. On release of the arrow, you let everything open up and tension is released. We have found working with people suffering from issues of anxiousness or come from an over stressed work environment greatly benefit from this practice.
You may say to yourself “but I’ll just be focused on if I hit the target or not”. That is why I have special drills such as “Torba Training” or “Blind Bale” shooting that takes away all of that panic.
CLICK HERE To Learn About Torba Training
IMPROVED FOCUS
Our attention spans are shrinking, one scroll after the next. Archery is one skill that demands singular focus on the task at hand. As someone who has ADHD, I often struggle with attention focused activities. My mind starts to drift and boredom easily steps in to fill the void. With archery, you are dialed in and nothing else in that moment matters. It’s just can’t exist when you’re dialed in at full draw
Many of these lessons are found in the Japanese art of Kyudo — The Way of the Bow
This is one of the beauties in precision based archery. The level that you find yourself needing to be dialed into things like having a correct draw, where your arrow is in relation to the target and your form leaves ZERO room or time for your mind to wander. Once you drift into longer range shooting, and trust me you will eventually, the other factors that demand focus such as wind changes com into play.
There simply is NO ROOM for your mind to drift away from focus
YOU CAN TRAIN ANYWHERE
While there are many archery clubs out there that you can shoot at, archery can also be practiced in a safe area at home. Obviously, you have to be sure to set up sufficient back stops but there are wonderful ones available that are relatively compact and can be set up at home. Many people set up close range targets for drills like “Torba” where they can work on their form in their garage.
There is always the option for shooting blunt tip arrows as well if you’re worried about penetrating your back stop. There are foam tipped arrows that can attach to your regular arrows. Options are available for the individual wanting to get their archery reps in at home.
MEETING PEOPLE
One thing that archery thrives on is community. There are some great people out there in the archery world that can pretty much fit whatever niche you wish to dip your toes into. Most of them are willing to help you in getting set up, offer tips and gear recommendations. Going to the local archery range is always a great chance to meet new people in this world of archery.
One of the great things archery has done for me is expose me to cultures I had previously had little interaction with. This has led me to meet people in Inner Mongolia, Istanbul, Japan and various other countries across the world. While there are oceans between us, the bow brought us together
GENETIC MEMORY
This may get a little “woo woo” for some of you but I believe this to be important. I’m a big believer in humans carrying a level of memory ingrained in our genetics. These memories are our links to our ancestors. While many of us are only a few generations removed from knowing any ancestors that came before us, I believe we can reconnect with those ancestors on a spiritual level by connecting to the things that they did.
There’s a reason people feel more “connected to nature” when they are hunting with a traditional bow. You aren’t connecting to nature but rather connecting to your ancestors. That is what they were doing with a bow similar to yours when they walked this earth. You are here because they did exactly what you’re doing right now with that bow! I believe this connection is vital for our spirit.
ARCHERY IS FOR EVERYONE
Whether old or young, there is a bow out there waiting to be put in your hands. Every age group can benefit from the lessons the bow has to offer. I’ve worked with the elderly helping them get some low impact exercise while working a little bit on their focus with a dash of stress relief. I’ve also worked with home school kids on the same thing.
Bows come in a variety of weights that can fit any hand! I’ve sold bows for children as young as 5 yrs old and to adults as old as 85 yrs old. There is a bow for everyone! All you need are a few things, a decent coaching program and you’re off.
Why Aren’t You Practicing Archery?
Our motto has always been that we want to put a bow in every hand and joy of archery in everyone’s heart. What’s important is to find the bow that fits you and what your goals are in pursuing this art.
The rewards archery has to offer are endless
–Alan Odinson ( Instructor, owner Odinson Archery )
ODINSON ARCHERY 