Osu, Sounds great, but I believe that at some moment, your physical abilities come into play in MA... Osu!
Absolutly. In a real fight it is not your physcial body that is of greatest importance but it's your will and mental attitude. It determs if you survive or die. Of course a body in good shape gives you an edge but more important is your mental will. I have seen older people smack around youngsters like nothing outhere. These old folks are not in same physical condition but rahter their mental attitude is like a great lion.:hat: Osu First your mind (i want to start training) then your spirit (will to study hard) last your body what can i do with my body...
Personally, (at 47) i'm in the best shape iv'e ever been in. Fitter, stronger and more flexible and i ain't finished yet.
I am saying, I know many martial artists past 50, and although i can state, that they in more shape or fit than their peers whom are non-martial artists, it is only age, but wear and tear. The body changes and takes far more time to heal, and in some cases, cannot fully.
I dont know if op "Mr." Miyagi is even reading this thread anymore.. But as to your original question.. "Can I start karate at 39 and get good at it?" If you dont start it ill be upset lol, one of the best part about being older in martial arts is beating the youngfellas..lol just my point of view.
Too many, comma's in a, sentence make, it very difficult to, follow. :bang: Luckily though we don't all look forward to being incapacitated by our failing bodies but are striving to endure our old age with (a little) health and strength.
I hope the greengrocers' apostrophe was for comic effect, otherwise you kinda lost the grammatical high ground there... :evil:
I'm soooo glad someone noticed (although i am guilty of that on occasion :bang I was tempted to throw a few misplaced capitals and a load of exclamations at the end !!!!!!!!!!! :evil:
Miyagi: I am going to be 60 this year, My sensei is 74, I have a good friend who is 73 and training... Were all training... Do we modify because of age, old injuries etc... you bet we do. Karate is about more than fighting... it is about practice... and if you practice you will feel younger, move easier and given time yes you can become effective. My students laugh.. I normally spar forom a left foot forward stance.. but I have arthritis in one hip and to kick high I have to switch to the right leg forward.. so I'm predictable.. when I switch they laugh and back up... Dont worry, its all in fun and there respectful... its just a fact. Because to be safe in class we kick above the belt... I tend to do few kicks now in sparring... in combat.. my kicks are aimed at the shins, knees and thigh's.... If you cant walk you cant fight...hahah That is an adaption based on a physical limitation... and we all do it. Coming in to karate late you have to watch the beginning and dont hurt yourself. Practice twice a week minimum.. in or out of class... do heavy stretching one day... light the next.. take a day off.... repeat it... Caution: NO pain no gain.. is a lie.. it should burn.. not hurt... Dont worry about what others say... just do it. Mike O'Leary
Miyagi: I am going to be 60 this year, My sensei is 74, I have a good friend who is 73 and training... Were all training... Do we modify because of age, old injuries etc... you bet we do. Karate is about more than fighting... it is about practice... and if you practice you will feel younger, move easier and given time yes you can become effective. My students laugh.. I normally spar forom a left foot forward stance.. but I have arthritis in one hip and to kick high I have to switch to the right leg forward.. so I'm predictable.. when I switch they laugh and back up... Dont worry, its all in fun and there respectful... its just a fact. Because to be safe in class we kick above the belt... I tend to do few kicks now in sparring... in combat.. my kicks are aimed at the shins, knees and thigh's.... If you cant walk you cant fight...hahah That is an adaption based on a physical limitation... and we all do it. Coming in to karate late you have to watch the beginning and dont hurt yourself. Practice twice a week minimum.. in or out of class... do heavy stretching one day... light the next.. take a day off.... repeat it... Caution: NO pain no gain.. is a lie.. it should burn.. not hurt... Dont worry about what others say... just do it. Mike O'Leary
Miyagi: I am going to be 60 this year, My sensei is 74, I have a good friend who is 73 and training... Were all training... Do we modify because of age, old injuries etc... you bet we do. Karate is about more than fighting... it is about practice... and if you practice you will feel younger, move easier and given time yes you can become effective. My students laugh.. I normally spar forom a left foot forward stance.. but I have arthritis in one hip and to kick high I have to switch to the right leg forward.. so I'm predictable.. when I switch they laugh and back up... Dont worry, its all in fun and there respectful... its just a fact. Because to be safe in class we kick above the belt... I tend to do few kicks now in sparring... in combat.. my kicks are aimed at the shins, knees and thigh's.... If you cant walk you cant fight...hahah That is an adaption based on a physical limitation... and we all do it. Coming in to karate late you have to watch the beginning and dont hurt yourself. Practice twice a week minimum.. in or out of class... do heavy stretching one day... light the next.. take a day off.... repeat it... Caution: NO pain no gain.. is a lie.. it should burn.. not hurt... Dont worry about what others say... just do it. Mike O'Leary