I tried to reenter martial arts with aikido at about your age but found that my knees could not take the pressure-subsequently titanium has replaced bone.
All the best.
Posted on 04/13/2014 1:26:08 AM PDT by lee martell
I have tendonitis, arthritis and size 14 feet as wide and as flat as Oopsy The Clown. I have extra weight I could easily survive without. I have been going to the fitness gym a few times a week, just so not to become like The Tin Man, all rigid, all the time. I 24hr gym is great, but for the last few years, I have wanted to return to my original Dojo, or workout room and go back to studying Karate. I'm not much of a sporty person, but I do enjoy the creativity of a good hand to hand battle.
My dad was a boxer in the 50's and continued to coach young boxers until just five years ago. My father instilled in me the desire to be ready, in mind and body, for unexpected challenges from any direction. I've spent the last three years getting used to being in some degree of pain every day of the week. I've gotten used to knowing how to do my fulltime caregiving job, and how to medicate for pain without overdoing it to where I should'nt be driving. I've reached a point where I know just how bad those foot problems are likely to get, and with what antecedents. With that knowledge, it was time to take a chance. I have missed my Karate classes, and to return to the Dojo, was like going back to see friends who have also decided to improve themselves by training long, hard and pretty much at one's own pace. At my age of 57, I'm usually one of the older guys in the Dojo. I don't mind, because the instructors are pleasant and respectful without being overpatronizing. I like training with younger or older people who are there to learn and enjoy the class. In martial arts, you can learn from anyone, regardless of background.
I'ts been about eight years since I was there on a regular basis. Time has not changed me that much, except for the tricky feet, but many of my Karate Classmates were in High School or Junior High School when I left. I had forgotten how much teenagers will grow and change in just a few years. They're all adults now. Many times, they recognized me before I knew them. I left a purple belt. I'm taking a private class and will branch out into a few evening classes in the next few weeks. I find that I can do a lot more than I expected. I find that the moment I put on that black cotton GI, and then tie my purple belt around, I feel stronger and more capable of various physical activity. It helps that we walk on large square padding. It also helps that many of the Kempos and practice movements can be done in a rather small radius, so I don't have to stay still baring the same weight for long, long periods. Usually, I would be in motion of some kind, along with the rest of the class. I make certain to wash my GI before class, and to take a shower. I spend a certain amount of time each day reviewing the videos that show training. I have to bring back my knowledge of Pinan 1, Pinan 2,and 3. Another plus, the Pinans will help me to stave off alzheimers for a little longer, when I get older. My reflexes to punch and strike are returning. Does anyone else here train in the martial arts? I think all the schools should teach some version of this, starting as defensive training and a fitness training. I'm glad I stop doubting that I could endure the exercises or doubting that I could relearn the Pinans. I'm on the second to bottom step, but it's a beginning.
I tried to reenter martial arts with aikido at about your age but found that my knees could not take the pressure-subsequently titanium has replaced bone.
All the best.
"Wax on.....wax off"
I have a Black Belt in Barstool, CueStick, Headlock and Chokehold. The Dojo had this cool neon sign that said “Cold Beer & Hot Grill”
I still have certain warm up exercises I cannot do, mostly the weight bearing ones, but I try to negotiate with the Senei (instructor) of that day. I can still do some grappling, using a lot of upper body strength.
I drive a HAZMAT tanker...and I shed 20 lbs since starting the job in January, hauling heavy hose etc...so will start some weight training to put it back as muscle....I am 72.
Wow! I am impressed. I had to put my night glasses on and re-read your comment to clarify. Rock on.
kick and box
jiu-jitsu, kenpo, kickboxing, and some grappling
all my joints are in pain to the point where i had to just give it all up.
like they say. don’t mess with an old man. he’ll just shoot you.
“A soft word turneth away Anger. Then, when Anger is looking the other way, shoot it in the back.”
I will kick your A** if you are the winning bidder:
http://www.othercinema.com/otherzine/archives/otherzine4/auction.html
Yeah...it’s hard to find a job in this Obamconomy...especially when “passed your shelf life”....but I had a clean driving license...not even a parking ticket...so it wasn’t too difficult to get a CDL license.
Forgot to ping y’all ...
See my post above...
I have been making light of your topic, as is my nature.
But seriously - Good Luck on your “return to duty.” I know first hand (at 66) what it feels like and I could not begin to do it at all without some “chemical enhancements.”
Take it slow and easy. In other words don’t be like me.
Congratulations!
I took judo at 16-17, tried again with kempo karate at 29-30 and the. Finally hapkido at 46. I earned my first dan black belt at two weeks after my fiftieth birthday. It is very different at that age. The physical challenge is tough but the mental effort it tough too. I made it to third dan at 57 before the right knee gave out. Following surgery it’s okay but my next front snap kick will have to be when I run out of ammunition; practice (at this age) makes brittle.
There is absolutely no good reason that I’ve made it this far.
God has a mysterious reason for keeping me alive.
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