| The question I hear often is, "Am I too old to | | | | was a huge impression (bump) on his front |
| start Karate?" Another concern people have is | | | | bumper. Although the ambulance had to escort |
| that they're not flexible enough to be able to | | | | him to the hospital, he did not suffer too sever |
| participate in a karate class. | | | | damage. He admits that this is because of his |
| What distinguishes karate as a discipline from | | | | karate training which allowed him to build that |
| most other sports is its consideration for a | | | | "body armour" needed to sustain most of the |
| person's current level. A good instructor will be | | | | shock. |
| challenged to hone in on each student's current | | | | People underestimate the importance of flexibility. |
| physical level and challenge them at the same | | | | The older we get, the more we will depend on |
| time without injury. The idea is to progressively | | | | our flexibility to do simple things like getting up |
| increase that person's level each time they | | | | from a chair, climbing a flight of stairs, and walking |
| participate in a class. | | | | with a straight posture without pain. |
| The fact that you think you have to be in good | | | | Make sure your goals are realistic and ask |
| shape before starting a class is wrong, but | | | | yourself the question if you're in it to improve |
| common. One of the reasons to commit to a | | | | your quality of life, or are you doing it as a sport |
| karate programme is to get in shape while | | | | and compete. If you are of a certain age, e.g. |
| learning how to defend yourself. Karate classes | | | | over 35 and you are just starting, than |
| build strength, flexibility, endurance and cardio in a | | | | competition should not be your main goal. Your |
| functional way. Cross training like weight training, | | | | goal is to build a flexible and strong body and mind |
| and jogging can definitely help, but it is not | | | | in a progressive manner that will allow you to age |
| mandatory. You can get in functional shape by | | | | successfully and enjoy life pain free. |
| doing the normal exercises that karate provides. | | | | I'm forty and practicing karate (both traditional |
| I know this older lady (over 60) that told me a | | | | and competitive) for over 25 years. What I love |
| story that she fell on a sheet of ice one winter. | | | | about it is the fact that it is an individual discipline |
| She tripped over a wire and fell hard. She | | | | that centers on continuously improving yourself. I |
| admitted that if it weren't for her karate training | | | | also like the fact that there is a partnership and |
| (even at her level), she wouldn't be able to get up | | | | camaraderie that motivates you to do better |
| from that nasty fall. | | | | each time. |
| Another example is a story about a 39 year old | | | | No, you're not too old to start karate training. |
| man who had a nasty bike accident with an | | | | Now stop thinking about it and just do it! |
| incoming car. The car hit him so hard that there | | | | |