Am I too old to do Martial Arts?

Would you love to get involved? But feel you are too old to do Martial Arts? You don’t have to answer that till you’ve read the rest of the post.

Meanwhile, let’s explore some benefit’s of getting involved in Martial Arts. There are several, of which a few are listed below:

•  Better health
•  Fitness

•   Flexibility
•   Better concentration
  
  
•   Positive stress release
•   Confidence
•   Stimulation for the mind, body and soul.
•   Better memory
•   Increased coordination
•   You’ll look and feel great
•   You’ll have fun
•   You’ll meet new people
•   You’ll challenge yourself

Possibility...

As we get older, we tend to shy away from anything deemed to be too strenuous. Be it a sport or hobby.  And with good reason, we want to preserve and keep ourselves injury free.

The most popular expression of martial Arts in the media is based around fighting... This gives the impression that’s all there is.

Well, there is another side to the art which is the softer side of stretching, meditation, Kata (solo demonstration). All to be explored by the practitioner.

Slow and Steady.

Martial Arts is about the development of your potential at your own pace... Even youngsters are taught to learn the techniques slowly and correctly, speed will come later... It is certainly not a race...

In taking your time to learn and adjust, evolution kicks in, and regardless of your age, you’ll find yourself doing more, faster and easier over time. Simply because you have increased your capacity to apply what you have learn't and are now able to do more in less time.

New Friends.

A side benefit of joining a martial arts club is that you will meet new people who help and support you as well as make opportunities for social events. For some people, this is a welcome benefit... To forge new relationships that go beyond your Martial arts training.

It may also happen that you come along with an existing friend and find a new hobby/sport together.

Preparation.

Depending on your age and current level of fitness, you may want to get a health check or ask your Doctor if it is safe to take part. But this is a very individual thing as you could be in your sixties and able to run a marathon or in your forties and unable to walk a mile.

Then there is the best Martial Art for You. And again, your individuality comes into play here. Please take a look at my post “How to pick the Martial Arts that’s right for me”. But essentially, there are various styles of martial arts and you may find yourself more suited to one than the other.

If for example you have a previous injury or condition that you are concerned about, there is Tai Chi which is a soft non contact Martial Art which combines breathing techniques with flowing movements. 

There is also the very popular Karate, which has so many guises... You may not know there are lots of style’s where they focus more on kata than fighting or sparring. .. Again, you get to develop and attain all the benefits of the sport with much less risk of strain or injury.

So, why not give it a try... All ages are welcome.

You can find out more about why you are never too old to do Martial Arts by leaving a comment below...

Thanks for taking the time.