age and the martial arts

[drunken mistress]

I am writing an article on age and the Martial Arts. I started Karate at 48 and (eight months later) I am already finding it has greatly increased my strength and flexibility. I also like the respect paid to age in Kung Fu films. I would be interested to hear from any older Martial Artists or ancedotes on the same subject.

[7starmantis]

Just a quick comment, the adage by old kung fu films regarding age is not just in the films. Studying kung fu allows me to have contact with men who have studied kung fu their whole lives and at 65 or 72 can still best a 23 year old. Its a different way of fighting, but very effective. I'm 26, been studying MA for about 18 years or so and I would rather die than face my sigung (teachers teacher) who is over 60.

7sm

[drunken mistress]

Thanks, 7SM. That was what I wanted to hear as almost every other area of life takes a negative view of age. My best friend is half Chines and has done Tai-Chi for years. She is in her sixties but sunbathes topless and wins Badminton tournaments for the county! Needless to say she looks twenty years younger.

[wingchunner]

has been doing Chen style tai chi chuan for over 60 years and still going strong.

Check out http://www.immortalpalm.com

Marty

[RCastillo]

I'm 48, and going strong. It's the only thing that keeps me going in life!:asian:

[KenpoTess]

Hi DrunkenMistress :) Welcome to the Board~!

I started training when I was in my late 30's, and now at 44 think I'm healthier than ever in my life. I was in a nasty car accident not long after I started training and now have a titanium cage in my lumbar spine but that doesn't detract from me doing falls and rolls or grappling or anything for that matter. I woke up with a right paralyzed foot from a knick in my sciatic nerve after my back surgery and yes that did cause some issues for awhile (emotionally and physically) but I persevered and kept training, *note* the Spinal specialist said I would end up in a wheelchair and should only walk no more than 20' at a time.. I showed him ;)
a couple years ago I was sitting with my leg propped up and suddenly saw my toes moving.. needless to say.. I was ecstatic. I ascertain my recovery to my daily training in AK. I still have a few 'issues' I deal with, but I am stronger, more limber, ( think I'm the only one in our studio that can put my chest and face to my thigh during stretching) and I'm most definitely the oldest who currently trains, the rest of my clan are college students.
I plan on keeping Kicking and punching til they tell me I'm gone :D

Again Great to have you aboard~!

Tess

[Chronuss]

...I personally wish I could've started training when I was younger...maybe I wouldn't have had the health problems I had as an adolescent. however, since I've been traning, I rarely ever get sick anymore. training is definately one of the things that make me look forward to the next coming day. :D

[Cryozombie]

Originally posted by drunken mistress
Thanks, 7SM. That was what I wanted to hear as almost every other area of life takes a negative view of age. My best friend is half Chines and has done Tai-Chi for years. She is in her sixties but sunbathes topless and wins Badminton tournaments for the county! Needless to say she looks twenty years younger.

I need to take Tai Chi so I can sunbathe naked. :D

Grandmaster Hatsumi of the Bujinkan is 73 or 74 and watching him move and practice the art is incredible. I only hope to be 1/2 as healthy as he is at that age... (well, ok, I hope to be just as healthy...)