34 year old nervous about starting Karate

Discussion in 'General Martial Arts Discussion' started by john83gater, Aug 12, 2017.

  1. john83gater

    john83gater Member

    Hi I have been thinking about doing karate for a while now , and have now found a club . I may start tomorrow.
    I used to do karate when I was a child but regrettably I gave up . Now I feel more focussed.

    The only problem is I'm not as flexible or as coordinated as I was when I was a child . I'm nervous thinking I'm going to be in a room with a lot of people who know what they're doing and il be a mess . Can someone give me some advice or calming words to prepare me . Thanks
     
  2. Simon

    Simon Administrator Admin Supporter MAP 2017 Koyo Award

    Welcome to MAP.

    Jump in with both feet and you'll not regret it.

    Honestly 34 is no age.

    Flexibility and coordination you'll get by continued training.

    Days turn into weeks, weeks into months and so on.

    In my experience students love to see new faces come through the dojo door and in addition to the instructor they'll help you out.
     
    gapjumper and Travess like this.
  3. Travess

    Travess The Welsh MAPper Supporter

    Much like yourself John, I took up Karate in my mid-30's (35 to be exact) having only have a few months prior experience as a child (I did do Taekwon-do for a few years as a teen though) and ended up joining a local club that (at that point) had no other students older than 23 - I now could not imagine my life without it.

    You could of course put off attending the class, but the nerves you feel now will still be with you, as will the uncertainty of what to expect.
    My advice? Go! Find out what you are capable of, instead of worrying about what you are not (took me 7 months and dozens of E-mails with the instructor, before I got to that point...)

    Good luck

    Travess
     
    Mitch likes this.
  4. Knee Rider

    Knee Rider Valued Member Supporter

    You 100% have nothing to worry about. Nothing.

    The other students and the teacher won't expect anything of you other than that you are sound and respectful of everyone.

    You don't have to be in shape and if you feel tired/sick tell them and they will let you rest.

    You won't get hurt.

    You won't be made to do something difficult and then humiliated.

    You will feel so much better when class one is done. You'll be on a high most likely.

    Go try!

    What style of karate are you doing?
     
    Tom bayley, Mitch, gapjumper and 3 others like this.
  5. Simon

    Simon Administrator Admin Supporter MAP 2017 Koyo Award

    Excellent post, Knee Rider and I totally agree.
     
    Knee Rider likes this.
  6. john83gater

    john83gater Member

    Thanks ,

    It's
    Shuhari Shotokan Karate Academy, looks the best one around here in stoke on trent . I'm excited and eager to get started , and I know il love it . It's just been a long time since I've done anything like this .
     
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  7. john83gater

    john83gater Member

    Thank you all for your messages of support this is exactly what I needed to here .
     
    Simon likes this.
  8. john83gater

    john83gater Member

    I know this maybe a ridiculous question but what should I wear ? T shirt and tracksuit bottoms?
     
  9. Simon

    Simon Administrator Admin Supporter MAP 2017 Koyo Award

    Yep, just something loose you feel comfortable in.

    Just avoid your favourite Metallica t-shirt. :D
     
  10. john83gater

    john83gater Member

    Haha thanks . il bear that in mind .
     
  11. Travess

    Travess The Welsh MAPper Supporter

    And I'm sure you'll be faced with the same level of support from all at the club too - It all helps.

    Let us know how you get on.

    Travess
     
  12. Latikos

    Latikos Valued Member

    I agree with the others: Just go there and enjoy yourself.

    Usually everyone remembers how it was, when they were new and had no experience.
    And in case they don't and behave like morons: Look for another club, because they're not worth your time anyway.

    As long as you behave like a decent being, the others usually will do so as well.
    In case they don't: See above.

    I started as an adult as well; as abs fat adult, to be precise :D
    And I was very welcomed by the others.

    Plus, I know it's cliché but: In the end you will also regret more what you didn't try... you know the saying I'm sure ^^

    Go there, enjoy it, listen, have fun, be respectful, enjoy it, learn and work on yourself, have fun, ...
    You get the idea :)
     
    Simon likes this.
  13. VoidKarateka

    VoidKarateka Valued Member

    Turn up and have fun!

    If it's Shuhari in Stoke I think that's the place run by Sensei Katsu. I'm attending a seminar of his in September! He's a sound and genuine guy, as well as a great karateka His students are a reflection of his good values and standards so you've got nothing to worry about at all.

    I always say the same thing to everyone who want to start karate and worries about their fitness levels; karate was designed as a civilian defense system way back when by Okinawan guys (I won't go into the history of karate here) and now some of its biggest names and living successors are old men. They're still able to train late in life, so why can't you?

    I hope you have a great first session, let us know how it goes.
     
    Dead_pool and Simon like this.
  14. YouKnowWho

    YouKnowWho Valued Member

    To develop a workout habit through old age can be more valuable than money can give you. MA training can give you a lot of fun. When your opponent throws 20 punches toward your head and you can block every single punch that he throws at you, you will smile in your dream for many nights.
     
    Mitch likes this.
  15. aaradia

    aaradia Choy Li Fut and Yang Tai Chi Chuan Student Moderator Supporter

    Random thoughts...............

    Don't let your age limit you, just be smart in how you go about some things. I started at 38 or 39.

    Take the time to warm up properly and make stretching a part of your MA routine. The young ones can get away with skipping this easier. Most of the older students I know feel we do need to make sure we do this or we risk injury easier than the younger ones. And we do take longer to heal.

    Be realistic, but don't let age limit you mentally. I can do things I never thought possible before. A big reason for this is my instructor did not settle for less simply due to my age. Yes, there are some issues physically, but a good instructor will know when it is real and when you are simply limiting yourself mentally when you don't need to.

    Think about this, when you turn 50, you can be a person with 14 years of developed martial arts skill, or you can be a 50 year old with no martial arts skill. You can't change not starting earlier, so don't worry about that. But you CAN do what you want with your life from this day forward. And really, since I am 52, in my book you are still pretty young.

    Don't compare yourself to anyone else, any age. Do it for a few months, then compare yourself to the previous you when you just started. In a few years, compare yourself to the person who only did it a few months ago.

    I know several fellow students who started older than I did. One of my two person partners started mid 50's. She is in her early 60's now. Another couple, who are in their 70's, started a little over 20 years ago.

    If it is a good school environment, the instructors and fellow students will be a positive influence and welcome you as you start this journey. If they aren't, find another school where they are. We have all types and ages at my school, and most all of us support and encourage each other.

    All those students who know what they are doing were the beginning students like you at one point too. (See point right above this one again.) If you stick to it, remember this feeling today and reach out and welcome new students when you are the established student.

    Welcome to MAP. This is a great resource and community as you start your MA journey!
     
  16. philosoraptor

    philosoraptor carnivore in a top hat Supporter

    Good news is that everyone starts out not really knowing how to do this stuff and you get better with time. No one is going to expect you to nail it immediately.
     
  17. Xue Sheng

    Xue Sheng All weight is underside

    I'm over 50 arthritic and been in MA for years, and I am real nervous about trying Krav Maga this week, heck at 34, nothing should be worrying you.
     
  18. john83gater

    john83gater Member

    It's not that I'm unfit , it's mainly the balance and flexibility issue , not as agile as I used to be .

    Yes it is the dojo run by sensei katsu , heard a lot of good things about him and the club . How many days a week do you think I should aim at going?
     
    VoidKarateka likes this.
  19. Nachi

    Nachi Valued Member Supporter

    The most likely reaction from others is curiosity to see a new face and they should be welcoming indeed. A few years back I started karate in my 20s together with two guys in a similar age to yours, who both used to do karate as kids, though a different style. What an advantage they had over me! The fitness level will come with time and you should just enjoy the class :) The only surprise you can give the others is probably a positive one.
     
  20. Knee Rider

    Knee Rider Valued Member Supporter

    How was your class yesterday?
     

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