Aging Martial Artist?

Question

Im at a weird point in my training. I am getting older and my knees and shoulders are starting to wear out. Like everyone else that's trained for several years I have a ton of old injuries. I also am no where near as "Hard Core" as I was several years ago when I started training. I am having trouble finding a school that trains hard, but not crazy hard or that isn't a Mcdojo joke. What do you older martial artists do when your body needs a change of pace?

Answer 1

Being older than most and having done martial arts for almost forty years I learned a long time ago to start to take more careful care of my body. Some of my friends from my competition days did not do that and sad to say can't do martial arts any more. Older experienced martial artists rely on their mind, skill, and experience not on their bodies and failing athletic abilities. Unfortunately some testosterone filled younger instructors don't have that idea as they are not at that point yet. I would talk to one or two of them where I was working out at and see if they can't modify their teaching and approach to class a little with respect to you and other older students. In the long run it is to their advantage as we are all getting older and they and the younger students will be there soon enough.

Some schools have and do modify their approach and it is not really that difficult. Younger students and instructors at such schools are taught respect and discipline while also being taught that older students and instructors sometimes have some physical limitations due to their age or old injurers. You may even ask if they are willing to let an informal class of older students meet several times a week in a separate room (if it is available). If none of these instructors can or want to modify their approach to accommodate you then you have other options. Look for another school, martial art, or start your own group and work out in your basement, local rec center or at the local health club in their aerobics room when they don't have any classes scheduled. Good luck and keep kicking!

Answer 2

Hi there

This is a very interesting question and one that not only questions the way one trains but also the style one trains in. Its a common known fact that some arts are by their very nature hard. As a mature martial artist in my early 30's there are somethings i struggle with like yourself. I have collected many injuries over the years by training unsafely when i was younger and with poor tuition from people who don't know the definition of martial arts. I think you are now at a crossroads where you have to decide which direction to take. You can keep training in the same style or search for an alternative solution. If you stay with a hard style you need to find an instructor that understands what your abilities are or find another art that suits your circumstances.

One thing i have noticed is that if you train for years in an art that requires strength and speed you will lose these abilities as you get older. Martial arts are all about self development of ones character and martial skills. So you should be getting better and more refined as you get older and not the other way round.

If your lucky enough to find an instructor who polishes their skills rather than flexing their muscles then youve cracked it!

As a guide to which arts benefit you in the long run just take a look at some of the grandmasters of the different arts. Some are still developing their skills even in their 70's

Just my views

Best wishes

idai

Answer 3

Good question.

I went through the same thing when i hit 30 several years ago. I just was not able to do what i was able to do at 20. Ten years has really beaten on my body.

I did not leave the school though. So I assume you are an instructor if you have been doing this for year?

If so talk to YOUR teacher and see what he or she recommends. For me mine suggested that I just teach sitting down when it was too hard for me to stand. I always had a senpai or ottogani available to help assist.

So IMO not to get where I got in injuries it is good to try and start working on other things with your body beyond your normal training.

Such as replenishing your Yin. All the external arts have a tendency as do sitting in front of a PC to take the Yin from your system leaving you drained and tired.

Qui Qong, Tai Chi, Yoga, Reiki are all art forms that are soft in nature that deal with seld internal healing and replenishment of your Yin. These are just some of them of course there are more.

I suggest you add this soft art of healing into your current art. It is what I did and several years later i have increased range of motion, flexibility and cardivascular health than I did 7 years ago do to these changes I made.

good luck, it is I think almost every MA nightmare that trained hardcore or fought full contact to become disabled from doing MA so hard when they were young. We think we are invincible at that age and then as you now see we pay for it later in life.

If you are feeling these issues now than you have taken the right time to act before they get worst.

Good luck.

Answer 4

A few months ago I used to take some Aikido classes. I had been taking them for about 6 months, but do to time conflicts I'm required to take a break.

The class that I was in had an older guy, late 40s and he had some very bad knee problems. My instructors were very understanding, and showed him different techniques of doing a roll that are less intense on the joints.

I'm not sure if there are variations to every technique in Aikido, but I believe there are as it is one martial art I've noticed that is a lot about personal preference that is comfortable to you and your partner/or the one you may be defending from.

If you're looking for a different martial art, I'd recommend seeing if there's any classes around you and try this interesting martial art out, sit in a few classes and maybe try some beginner techniques.

Answer 5

Like others pointed out, it depends on what you want to achieve from your training, as well as what injuries you have. I am only 23, but I have been practicing TKD and already felt my knees hurting. If you like your school/instructors, you should be able to discuss with them your limitations and what options you have within their school (if they are legitimate, they should be able to understand your situation); if you don't have any options at your current school, start looking for a school that can accommodate the limitations you are encountering. I recently switched to a fusion martial art self-defense style created by my previous grandmaster and it is perfect for me because it's easier on my body and more practical.

With some searching, you should always be able to find a martial art to fit your needs. Good luck and don't give up training!

Answer 6

l have found that I can cruise in a class run by the same instructors if that is the mood I am in to do so of an evening, yes they can shout, threaten but you are paying them the money. I have over trained in the past and every year I say to myself I am fitter now than I have ever been, thought the image in the mirror might disagree, lol. Try a new school if your thoughts are more on avoiding injury than self improvement or plain old fun, but don't listen to me what do I know? very best of luck

Answer 7

looking for a new school is indeed the best way to go

you can even look for a system of fighting/exercise that is easier on your specific problems

i disslocated my knee while doin tkd and so i switch to a system with less crazy kicks and i also started working my upper body (boxing) and that still keeps me in the game as it where

there are many systems that are easier on the old body ju jitsu is good and akido even judo as long as you have a good trainer and the class isnt full of n00bs that use too much force

if hitting is your preffered system of choice try a system that uses punching bags to absorb the blows punching in the air for long periods can cause joint problems because the force has nowhere to goso it goes back into your body

hope those suggestions helped good luck and my the force be with you

Answer 8

Why not just switch to a softer style, like Tai-Chi or Kung Fu? These are healing arts, so the benefit would be two-fold. Also, your body could very well be telling you it is time for you to let go of the physical, fighting aspects of the martial arts, and start to train in the esoteric and healing aspects, that is, the higher order of the arts. Lots to learn still . . . lots to learn.

Answer 9

Hi,

I'm 48+ yrs. old (49 next month).

I'm also experiencing a lot of discomfort from injuries (mostly from my past) which are cropping up at the strangest times.

I guess your situation really depends upon the types of injuries and limitations you are experiencing.

*Please see a sports medicine specialist to have your injuries/limitations diagnosed, and a program of rehabilitation prescribed.

**These folks will do more than just prescribe: "Yoga and Ibuprophen for two weeks." They really DO understand how athletes function (physically and mentally).

I find that the traditional dojo which I practice in (Fudokan Karate, an Eastern European offshoot of Shotokan Karate) is really pretty cool for my needs:

*Excellent workout!

*Lots of kihon and kata.

Bottom line?

Please make an assessment of what you REALLY want from your training from this point on.

*"Hard core" has a very limited shelf life as far as maintaining one's ability to train, spar and compete.

**You'll always be able to kick tail, you've already proven it to yourself and pretty much everyone who's crossed paths with you (either on the tournament circuit or in "real life").

**Maybe it's time to move over to the next dimension of your journey through this lifestyle:

***Conditioning

***Teaching/coaching

*I really believe that a traditional dojo curriculum (i.e., Shotokan, etc.) with very little sparring really will do your joints and old injuries well, and keep you in excellent shape.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

Answer 10

As we age, her frequently have to make adjustments. 1 is to work out less frequently. Our bodies need more time to recover. Another is to accept your limits when working out. Listen to your body & respond accordingly.