Are You Never Too Old to Learn Martial Arts
Have yous ever asked yourself if karate is for you? Ever worried that you're too belatedly to start a martial art? thirteen years ago I wondered well-nigh those two questions. Well, Equally I sit here typing I'm fast budgeted my 52nd birthday, and with xiii years of karate under my 3rd Dan belt (forgive the dodgy pun) and feeling on the one manus more than knowledgeable nigh karate than always, and on the other more of a student than ever, let me provide you with some answers. And permit me tell you how karate has taught me that you never stop learning.
A lesson from the past
7 years ago I wrote an article for the MSK website, which talked about a lesson that I had learnt that very evening. 2 things had happened, my daughter (Freya) had been fabricated a 'Senpai' (assistant instructor) and we had received a lesson from a visiting Sensei. Talking about him I wrote;
"He himself was apprehensive but with an air of assuredness and seniority. He described the value of a club like ours training together 'within friendship' and not 'competition'.
Then to end I volition take abroad that, any my grade or skill level, I volition never stop learning from those considered in a higher place or below me, and I will ever compare and evaluate my practice with humility, dignity, respect and dedication."
What I chop-chop discovered
So how does this connect with the questions at the start of this article?
Well, at the age of 38 I wanted to increase my fitness, flexibility and peradventure lose some weight. In addition to this I wanted to exercise something with my wife and children. I had no idea about 'styles/types' of karate, just that didn't thing.
Very quickly it turned out that there was a lot more to karate than I thought. More chiefly, karate was going to teach us and lead to all the things that the quote above mentioned. And there was I only thinking about fitness!!
Encouragement and Openness
I still belong to the club I started with. Some members come and get, some render, only aside from karate, what I have found in MSK is a friendship. A friendship with others who also, like me, have a thirst for learning. And furthermore, I've found a respect and humility that transcends the 'physical' nature of the art we exercise. I take seen (and taught) students as immature every bit 5, and even a few older than me. (I know correct!?!) These people who came to railroad train in our 'karate family unit' have one matter in common. They accept experienced, and I hope they felt this, a spirit of 'not-judgement' and genuine openness.
Never stop learning
thirteen years agone I first stepped into the karate dojo with my family and I certainly experienced all of this. Since so I take made new friendships, visited Okinawa 3 times and trained with students, teachers and 'masters' who constantly encourage me to ask questions and better myself. Don't become me wrong, I'm not 'super human' and sometimes my 'karate mojo' dips, we all experience times like these. Karate came into my life for one or 2 uncomplicated reasons, but continues to develop my life in many ways that I never imagined. Hopefully I am able to do the same to and for others. Let'southward likewise hope that I tin can continue on this path for many, many more years to come up.
Today and across
To conclude, I am sitting here on a Sat morn, having trained vii times this week! two of these were with a Sensei in Deutschland via Zoom. I with a Sensei who invited me forth because he saw my passion for karate, regardless of the club that I belong to. Just ane more than example of the openness and generosity I experience through karate. In addition to learning I have taught a form. So I tin can honestly tell you that you're never too old (or young) to get-go karate. Also you're never too 'unfit' or 'injured', equally a good club and teacher will recognize these things and make adjustments that piece of work for you. They may 'push' y'all a petty to attempt and overcome the 'barriers' that nosotros sometimes impose on ourselves. But all of that volition come up from a position of 'supportive camaraderie'. This will teach you or your children to concord a mirror to yourself and your graphic symbol, whilst improving fitness and knowledge of an art steeped in history.
Who knows, you might become a 'heart anile karate nerd' just like me and never stop learning!!
Pete Sundby
Source: https://mskmartialarts.co.uk/never-stop-learning/
0 Response to "Are You Never Too Old to Learn Martial Arts"
Postar um comentário