When a man over 40 begins martial arts workouts they should have a special name: Kung Old Fool, Tae Kwon Old, Health Care-a-te or Senior Do. If anyone asks about my health I usually reply, “I’m aging too fast to get in shape.”
I discovered taekwondo in my forties. A series of seemingly random circumstances took me to the school of the Grandmaster who would become my teacher, Byung Min Kim.
First, I was out to dinner with an old friend whom, I discovered, was a black belt in tae kwon do. He had been practicing, on and off, since he was a child. Also, I had a young son who I thought would benefit from a martial arts program. Finally, I had a chance meeting with my future Master. I am a retail real estate broker, and I had the good fortune of offering a store to Grandmaster Kim. I didn’t sell him, but luckily he sold me.
Your expectation when you practice martial arts as a full grown adult are no different than those of any starry eyed kid. Expectations sculpted by legends like James Bond, Bruce Lee, Napoleon Solo and David Caradine in the television and movies of the 1950’s and 60’s.
I just wanted to be deadly…and really handsome!
Soon after beginning my new martial arts workouts, I had to go see my general practitioner because I just knew I was experiencing an appendicitis attack. The doctor assured me that it was just soreness from all the sit ups. I was only out of condition.
I had exercised on a regular basis when when I was younger, but after getting married and having kids, I had pushed those regular workouts aside. In my forties now, I was out of breath. I had trouble breathing during recreational volleyball or tennis and I didn’t seem to have the stamina to go dancing with my bride.
I decided to do something different. Within the same week, I started tae kwon do and piano lessons (middle age is so confusing).
For me, martial arts has been a seed planted in my body. If it has the right surroundings, it can root and grow. If you study martial arts you understand what I mean. If martial arts are new to you, believe me, changes you haven’t even considered are coming. And if you are beginning this journey later if life, like I have, I give you this to remember:
Middle Aged = (patience + resolve)-(litheness + hair)
Believe in the long term. Those are words I live by. Always pay attention to what your body is telling you, not just what your mind wants. Too many adults come to their martial arts class believing they are still 21 only to try too hard or stretch too much because it was easy when they were younger.
Instructors motivate an entire class, with a wide range of age and skills. Your mind will tell you that you can still do it, but your body may need a little more time. Short term, overachieving goals in taekwondo lead to injuries and injuries lead to quitting and acquiescing to the myth that you are too old for this sport.
No way!
You can’t understand the journey with one step; you can only understand one step of the journey, stick with it.
When you feel your instructor is pushing too hard, remember you’re an adult and age has its privileges. A good teacher will realize your limits and help you reach your personal best, this is where trust between teacher and student comes from. In lieu of that, trust your inner voice.
You might be too old for rock and roll, but you’re too young to die.