"learning" the martial arts.....

[Bammx2]

I have been having this discussion with some fellow........."wise"...ones

(average 25yrs or more in the arts)
and its based on actually learning the martial arts.
We got our first BBs in our teen(when we are all invicible) and most continued with our studies either in one style or several.
The most common thread was we realised that we didn't actually start "learning" until we hit our prime(thats middle age for the rest of you

)
Theories started comming to light,concepts were comming together and making more sense and more practical ideas and application of techniques improved.
I just want to know how many of you have ever thought or had the same realisations as you...improved....with age?



yung'uns is welcome to attempt a reeeeply

 

[terryl965]

I started when I was 4 and over the 42 years it was not until my early 30 that I started to understand the Art aspect of Martial Arts. I thought I knew everything and fighting was the Art until I started to look inside for the true meaning. So your analogy is correct for me atleast the Art came when middle age hit me like a rock... GOD BLESS AMERICA

 

[chinto01]

Bammx2 I have to agree with you. I received my black belt when I was 21 and feel that I did not truley start comprehending the martial arts until I was in my late 20's and early 30's. I believe it has to do with the frame of mind that your are in and how you feel invincible when you are younger. I believe that as you get older and your body does not recover as quick as it used to or that you just cannot do some of the things that you used to you begin to look at your training alot differently. In my teen years I loved to do kumite and spar all of the time. Kata had no place in my training at that time. However when I was 29 and need knee surgery it put a new light onto my training as I realized that I could no longer point spar with the teenagers as I used to. So I discovered kata again and in discovering that I have opened up a new world to myself. So I do believe the older you get more things will come to light for us.

 

[Kunoichi]

I think I fall into the young'un category (only just turned 20)

Do you feel that in your early days you were just at class to exercise/socialise and kick *** or was it more than that?
and do you think that if you began training in your older years you would have the understanding of your art that you do now, or do you think that it would still take years of training to get past the thrill of competition and get a deeper understanding?
Do you think older practitioners train for different reasons than their younger classmates or is a different approach taken because of different abilities?

Oh, and just so you know, I AM INVINCIBLE!!! :boing2:

 

[Mark Weiser]

Well I am in the other column I am 42 almost 43 years of age. I have been involved in MA since I was 16 years of age in one form or another.

I have found that I am learning the why's and insights of the Techniques currently. Teaching is a great way to learn this part of the MA. I have found teaching actually makes you better. Forces you to think and understand more than just doing the Techniques due to the questions asked by students either in a Dojo or in Private lessons.

 

[Bammx2]

I think I fall into the young'un category (only just turned 20)

Do you feel that in your early days you were just at class to exercise/socialise and kick *** or was it more than that?
and do you think that if you began training in your older years you would have the understanding of your art that you do now, or do you think that it would still take years of training to get past the thrill of competition and get a deeper understanding?
Do you think older practitioners train for different reasons than their younger classmates or is a different approach taken because of different abilities?

Oh, and just so you know, I AM INVINCIBLE!!! :boing2:

When I was younger...yes...I was there to socialise and have that "superior" feeling..thats the way of life for some people.
If I had started at an older age...yes...I would have a better understanding of the art I chose due to life lessons learned.Somethings you have to actually live to understand.Certain Wisdoms are not found in a book or video game

And yes again....I feel the age difference makes for different reasons to train and learn.
Not all is gospel for all ages though!
I do like the questions you posted here..nicely thought out!

and last but not least.....

INVINCIBLE....:rofl:

 

[Sin]

i know that there is an age of enlightenment, and i know that with age comes experince and knowledge. So at the age of 17 i haven't reached this pinnical of understanding just yet. So for now i am just going to enjoy my youth and that feeling of invincability. But for all you older, experinced and knowledgable Martial artists out there, don't under estimate the younger fighter, it might come back to get ya. just stay humble and keep an open mind.

 

[KenpoNoChikara]

Falling into the Under 21 catagory myself, I really try to be careful about the issues with feeling superior, invincible, etc. I may be young, but I do still know when I'm out of my league.There's always someone stronger, faster, smarter and better. I just try to work on my personal best.

 

[An Eternal Student]

Im only twenty myself and have been only training a meagre five years.
Thing is, I figure Im probably not going to really understand this stuff till im well into my 40's.Most important thing Ive learned so far is that there's no such thing as perfect! Is that a feeling that stays with you as you get older?

 

[Bammx2]

The thought of invincibility definately changes around the age of 25.

example....
3 types of speed:
1) Initial or "attack" speed.
2) Reaction speed
3) Perception speed.

In general, you start losing the first one round the age of 25 due to physical changes.
The other 2, you can always maintain for many,many years.
Other changes that I have found to be most important with age are mental and spiritual.
I was young and "invincible" once

...but by keeping an opened mind, I found doors open up that I NEVER put any thought into even 10 yrs ago.
and yes....some of it is enlightenment...

 

[Kunoichi]

Do you think the young 'invincible' feeling is a good or bad thing?Personally I think its quite good - for confidence and the feel-good-factor. It can give that person that extra push to keep on going a little longer than they normally would or could. Although not to the extent where people go around starting fights to prove that noone can stop them...

(just so you know, im not THAT invincible!!! )

 

[Bammx2]

The "young invincible" feeling is not good or bad.

its what you're supposed to feel at that time.(for most, anyway)
It just reminds me of the "old" people who used to tell me the same thing at that age.
Enjoy it while you can...it DOES go away.
I didn't believe I would ever grow old..but I defied the odds..
When most young people have that invincible feeling, they don't expect it to go away.
and it doesn't...so to speak.
it just becomes more reality based.
THEN things start to change....like "work smarter, not harder"
Its the ones who can't make the transition who are in trouble.

 

[TonyM.]

When I was 18 I had eight years of martial training and thought I was invincible. I'm faster now at 52 and amazed I survived my youth.

 

[Patrick Skerry]

I'm just a kid, but my father taught me to respect my elders, so I always listen when an older person hits me with his personal anecdotes. They're not boring, but extremely informative, and sometimes a slice of first hand history.

I agree that you do not 'do' the martial arts, you learn them. And my shodan in Judo means I have just begun to learn, and have a lot more to learn.

 

[Drac]

Bammx2.
I quite agree..I thought that I knew enough and was invincible since I worked as a bouncer and never took a real hit..As I got older and drifted into law enforcement I realized that I had only scratched the surface..

 

[Baytor]

I remember when I was 19 and thought I was Billy Bada$$. I'm not that much older now, only 26, but I am wiser. Working in law enforcement taught me a lot about invinciblity and the follys of my youth.
Geez, I sound old.