I'm 45 now, started at 42 after a very long time of doing nothing. Train 2 sometimes 3 nights a weeks and will be adding a BJJ class in the near future. I may not be as quick or as talented as some of the young kids, but I always have a go, and love it. Stick with it, my fitness has improved a lot since starting.
matveimediaarts, fun and fitness sounds where it's at for me for me as well :-D I'm glad I'm not the only one that initially struggles with the language. Wikipaedia comes into its own - bunkai - disassembly - got it. I think we did this last week my Sensei explained about the Kata being moves to counter and attack a number of different opponents and took the class through each move with an explanation - I found it gave the sequence a 'purpose' - sorry I like things to have a 'purpose' - rather than just a sequence of useful moves to work through just to practice them. I hope that makes sense LOL
KarateMum, I started Tae Kwon-Do in January at age 42; I'm 43 now so I'm in my 10th month of training. As written elsewhere on the forum, the hardest part for me was walking past the parents crowding round the door who'd dropped their kids off. Just turning up takes guts and determination, so congratulations, you've already made the decision to do attempt something developmental and challenging that others are not doing; and therefore by making it out onto the mat you've already conquered the first goal. That uncomfortable feeling only lasts a few sessions. Also by then the people training with you will begin to interact with you differently, as you'll no longer be a stranger, or someone who might not bother coming back, they accept you as a regular and will be keen to help you towards your first grading. One thing I would say, is, when you turn up to class, give it everything. When you're doing kata/patterns, do it with commitment (when you block or punch, remember it's supposed to be a series of blocks and counterattacks set against one or more opponents, not verses soft toys in a child's play area. If you're doing techniques/fitness practice, if you're not sweating like a gorilla and struggling to breath, try harder! You get the idea. Push yourself - the instructor will notice and don't worry about making mistakes or looking an idiot (I've managed to fall to the ground kicking a bag literally right in front my master; how silly and of course he laughed as did I, get up, carry on, everybody was a white belt once, including my master!). Another daft moment, forgetting my pattern part way through my first competition. Best moments, winning medals for my patterns and sparring in my second competition. It was a fantastic feeling. If your club partake in competitions, DO THEM - it's great for confidence and development. Most of all, have fun. And as I've been told, the only time you lose, is when you quit
Enjoy the class, have fun and take your time. There is no such thing as late in life. I've seen 70 year olds start Taekwon-do and enjoy it. Same with Shotokan.
Just like to add my welcome and say good for you - I hope you enjoy. You Tube is a wonderful thing (as long as you know where and what to look for). Apologies if I've missed it, but what style of Karate are you doing? Gary
I'm another late starter after a 15 yr lay off from TKD, I started Aikido in my 30s and added BJJ in my 40s. Listen to your body, those pesky youngsters really don't understand how more injury prone and length of time to recover all increase past 40. Don't let ego make you injure yourself. They'll find out themselves one day. I was the same, hated exercise for excercise's sake, it was just boring, but you'll find that you want to start exercising out of class more to help you in the class, it's all good.
Hi GaryWado, the style of Karate, well they said the name in the class and said it was important that I found the Kata's online to match this. In pronounciation it sounded like a single word, but looking online I've come to the conclusion that it is Wado Ryu. I found Pinan Nidan linked to this name on YouTube here: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Csg3qL7rYuQ"]Wado Ryu Kata Pinan Nidan - YouTube[/ame] and this looks the same as the one they do in class. So given all that evidence I think the answer is Wado Ryu as a Karate style. Again something that you don't appreciate without any background is that there appears to often be more than one form of each Martial Art. I just went along to my local Karate class as I was starting my son there and it was on at a convenient time for me to stay afterwards and do my class. I will have to look up and learn why all the various forms exist. I did expect that Karate, was Karate, was Karate. However, I now know that this is def. not the case. It must make things confusing for those of you that move between each type. NB. If anyone out there has recognised me then please don't let on in class as I'll die of embarrassment!
As you mentioned the words Pinan Kata in one of your previous posts, I suspected it might be Wado. Other Okinawan styles that use the term Pinan tend to be less prevalent here in the UK (which where I guess you hail from). Funny enough, the YT clip you linked to is mine. The guy in the clip is a former instructor. We shot those vids about 15 years ago. Regarding style, I wouldn't worry about it too much. There are so many styles within each subset of martial arts you wouldn't believe it. As long as you have a good instructor and club - that's far more important. I think I had been training for a good year before I was even aware of the fact that there were different styles of Karate out there!!! The only reason I asked the question was so the knowledgeable folk on this forum could point you in the direction of some decent resource. Good luck with your training and keep us posted. Gary
"Karate" is about the most useless word in martial arts. It can cover so many different activities that it's nearly lost all meaning. From airy-fairy no touch sparring to very hard knockdown styles and many variations in between.
GaryWado - well there is a coincidence then LOL. Yes, I found that clip using Google a few days ago and that is what I have been using to watch. I had found a much more grainy older one with a different person who sounded very senior, but it was no way as clear as the one above to watch and copy. Blown up full size on my big monitor yours is quite useable - so thank you for posting it. I just thought if I could get a feeling for the direction changes and roughly where arms, hands and feet have to be that the finesse and accuracy could be added in class Yup, I'm in the UK, I'm not a Stateside insomniac Ha, ha! NB. I think this style must be a contact type - I have already been encouraged to connect a punch with one of the senior belts in the class(!!) Apparently I had 'quite a punch' - I don't know if this is good or not!! LOL NNB. What do I do with someone close to me that is getting a lot of hilarity out of the fact that I have started to do this?
Sounding like Darth-Vader doing wind-sprints up St. James Park while his heart/lung machine malfunctions - well, the truly gifted amongst us don't need to 'try' for that, it comes very naturally with no extra exertion required Not all MAP's septic tanks are insomniacs. Some need to rise several hours early for the bumper to bumper 2 hour commute. Some have dogs; however, that are insomniacs ( or some sort of -iac ) and take it upon themselves to let themselves into the bedroom and roust their masters for a game of tug at war in the wee hours of the morning... I'm gobsmacked as to how many of you green-boned young - ahs think yourselves old and over the hill just because you've reached the Big Four-Oh. You've still a lung functioning, a few red blood cells and unspotted veins that don't collapse. Now a Keith Richards or Ozzy Osbourne show up here postin' about their ammy boxing or Kyokushin class ... Just kiddin', of course If I were honest here ... If'n I'd not smoked for ... :thinking: 35 ? years... I'd had little difficulty. First few classes woulda been tough, but manageable. That much abuse, so now every class equivalent to the SAS obstacle course - but even that has its reward - I'll never worry that I'll start that rubbish again. There's really nothing I could add that hasn't already been said by someone else here; except perhaps - Lip up, Eyes forward, Be Calm. There!
I think karate - and probably all the other martial arts - feel very awkward to everyone, regardless of age, when they first get started. I remember being 19 years old starting karate and still feeling like my body wasn't designed to be doing these things. It's a very alien-feeling thing to do, but that's also part of its appeal - you're learning to do things that many other people will never be able to do. As for hints and tips:: 1. Don't try and force your body to do things that it can't do yet. Punch slowly, kick low and don't pull muscles - work your way up to the fancy stuff. That's how you get longevity in the martial arts. 2. Train sincerely. Just because you're a woman and maybe older than other students doesn't mean you should allow yourself to lack martial spirit. Really try and hit your training partners, you'll both enjoy it - that's the fun bit of karate and will keep you coming back. 3. Keep a tight fist when you punch - it really protects your fingers! 4. DON'T WORRY! Just to reiterate; it's not about age or athleticism - karate just does feel awkward when you first start and it takes quite a while before it stops feeling weird. Some things will always feel weird. But you'll find yourself passing milestones as you go along. If you want a good rule of thumb, most people start to feel more like they know what they're doing at around 6th kyu (assuming you have a 10 kyu system).
Moosey, thank you. I like the tips esp. about making a firm fist - that's easy to remember too. I think you hit the nail on the head with Number two. I am an older woman in what seems to be a somewhat younger, male dominated sport. Not that I am going to let that stop me, but it def. doesn't help in the awkward phase! LOL Roll on tomorrow and a Gi and I might become a bit more 'invisible'.
Most important thing is to always seek improvement. If you're not happy with how much better you are getting, practice more often. Pick some basics you can work on outside of class. Nobody has ever thrown a perfect punch or kick, or executed a perfect block, and everyone started exactly where you are at some point.
Hi Folks, Finally I am back - a busy home life with kids took over for a while and meant I missed last weeks practice, though I did call in to drop my son off and got my Gi. This week I had a great time. Looking like a Daz advert in a brand new 'whiter than white' Gi I felt much more 'invisible'. I am still 100% unfit, but hopefully time can solve that, but this week I paid a lot of attention while the junior class practiced before us and I have the Pinan Nidan moves memorised - Hurray! I thought it would take weeks and weeks to get that far. I've still got to perform the moves properly, but I can now remember what comes after what and this is a huge advantage. Tonight I have learned punches, kicks and how to put someone onto the mat and take a fall myself (I didn't think I was that brave!!). I've got to tell someone - you will all do............I think I'm really going to like this sport. The Kata's are close enough to dance to satisfy that side of me, I am a perfectionist and this is a sport where accuracy and control is important, I'm learning something completely new (this appeals a great deal) and there are nice people at the classes including a chap who I hope can still father children after helping me practice tonight! Sorry, for over enthusiasm, but it just ticks all the right boxes - why I didn't try it years ago I just don't know. I may well be a bit insufferable for a while, but I hope you will all forgive me.
Hi 'KarateMum', That sounds great - keep up the good work and the spirit of enjoyment and it is something that you can do for just as long as you like... By the way being 'a bit insufferable' is excellent
You learned Pinan Nidan in a week? :O I am impress! :hat: (I am kata-impared myself, though I like them and find them useful) Also, WRT the grappling/jitsu aspect of karate, doing somersaults outside of class is good practice. You can also practice breakfalls if you have a good cushy mat.
