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