The age old question...too old to start?

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[ChibaFan]

Hello, people :)
First time poster, here.

I usually read the forums here, and have a blast, since almost all of you seem like very knowledgeable and nice people, so I hope you can help me...

I live in Mexico, I'm 27 and I love Aikido....problem is....I didn't have a dojo available. There was one, about 2 years ago, and I immediately went to train there, but the school only remained open for about 3 months.

Now, in 2 months I will be moving to Vancouver for anywhere from 6 months to a year (studies) to improve my resume, and I gotta say....there's lot of Aikido dojos! I decided to go to either Granville Aikido or to Yoshinkan Aikido British Columbia Association (in fact, any suggestions on Aikido schools in Vancouver would be appreciated)

Too add to my surprise, I found out that a GREAT Aikido dojo just opened in my city, not 10 mins. away from my house, so now I have somewhere to go train after I get back from Vancouver.

I'm a wee bit overweight right now (6-8 pounds maybe) and I'm not in my peak physical condition....but I do have some martial arts experience. 6 years of wushu when I was a teenager, couple of years of boxing, and some Hapkido, but I gotta say....Aikido felt SO different from everything else, and I truly feel I want to train that for the rest of my life.

My question is (as cliche as it sounds)....am I too old to start at 27?

I want to be able to do those nasty falls and beautiful throws, and I want to learn everything I can, and achieve a black belt in some years, so I can start learning even more....but I know all of that takes years.

Granted, I was taking Hapkido just a year ago and I did everything with no problem (falls, kicks, rolls, etc) so perhaps I'm underestimating my age....but still, one feels the need to ask questions like these sometimes.

Thank you all VERY much for your time, and I hope I can start posting regularly as an Aikidoka pretty soon.

Have a good one! :D

[MikeLogan]

Hiya, Blas. I started when I was 26 with no previous MA experience, and I was in shape, all around athletic. I'd bet in terms of getting up to speed you would have little trouble, and there is nothing wrong with taking things at whatever pace is safe for the bod' while you're working it back into shape.

Sure, I wish I found it the year previous when I first got a car and was able to stay later (was depending on awkward bus schedules), or for that matter, several years prior, but hey, it happens when it happens. Enjoy!

michael.

[Taliesin]

27 and too old???

You ain't gonna make many friends with those sort of questions.

It's rather like asking will £1,000,000 see you through a two week holiday.

[Mathias Lee]

Too old? The older you are the better! I;m reasonably young (17) and I find concepts take longer to get than older people... maybe has somethign to do with concentration span! O sensei's aikido was very impressive at 90, so you;ve still got 60 years of training before then!

[ChibaFan]

Thank you very much for your answers, friends :)

Oh and David, it was certainly not my intention to offend anyone, but I get what you're saying ;)

I'm REALLY looking forward to start learning.

Now, if I could only get some tips on good Vancouver Aikido dojos? :p

[Charlie Huff]

I was in my thirties when I started, very un-athletic and out of shape. I'm still at it 22 years later. :D

One of my students didn't start practicing 'til he was 49.

You're only as old as you feel.

[ian]

Especially given your background in other arts, at 27 you're a youngster. Wasn't Ueshiba considered to be at his peak in his 50's? Indeed, Ueshiba didn't start aikido as young as you ;)

[Mark Freeman]

Hi Blas,

I was in my 30's when I started and am now in my 50's. If I hadn't decided to do Aikido, I would still be in my 50's, but life would not have been so good!

My advise, start as soon as you can, and stay as long as it makes sense to do so. :)

regards,

Mark

[Larry John]

Blas,

I started at 46 with no previous martial arts experience (yes, sensei, I know everyone can tell) and got my shodan this year at 51.

No excuses for you on that score, dude!

[ChibaFan]

Again, thank you so much for all of your answers :)
You've all done a lot to make me feel at ease about this.

[Ron Tisdale]

If this http://www.aikido.ca/burnaby/ is the dojo in Canada where you will train, you are in for a super treat.

Best, and happy trails,
Ron

[ChibaFan]

If this http://www.aikido.ca/burnaby/ is the dojo in Canada where you will train, you are in for a super treat.

Best, and happy trails,
Ron

Well, it's not...but hey, if it's not that far from Vancouver Downtown, I'll give it a try!
Thanks :)

[po_courcelles]

Hi

Here is a listing of Dojos registered in the Canadian Aikido Federation:

http://www.canadianaikidofederation.ca/cafMemberDojo.php?prov=9

(Of course, if you are doing Yoshinkai Aikido, stick with www.aikido.ca)

I'd say go and watch some classes and pick the one you feel the most...

Dojo are like pants, you gotta try them before you buy ;)

[crbateman]

My question is (as cliche as it sounds)....am I too old to start at 27?Good Lord, man... NO, that's not too old!!!!! :eek: Maybe, when you get a little older, you'll realize what a silly question that is... I've got gi's in my closet that are older than you are...

[mickeygelum]

I have four students over 50 years of age, two over 55, and one over 60, all with just under two years of training....oh, I'm 51... :)
You ain't gonna make many friends with those sort of questions. .. :eek:

[Janet Swisher]

Our dojo has a beginner (soon to test for 5th kyu) who is 67. He's an athletic 67, but he still has 40 years on you.

--Janet

[batemanb]

My question is (as cliche as it sounds)....am I too old to start at 27?


The perfect age for you to start, as it was for me when I started nearly 15 years ago.

rgds
Bryan

[SeiserL]

Okay kid,

I started at 44. Still train at 56.

Get out here.

Welcome.

[Dario Rosati]

Hello, people :)

My question is (as cliche as it sounds)....am I too old to start at 27?



I started at 31, now I'm 34, and enjoying every bit of it.
My sensei (3rd dan) is 49 and absolutely "kicks ass" on the mat like many others sensei in that age range i've seen in action; your best guess not knowing his age would be something around 38-40 years given his overall apparent shape and agility.
Search for some Tissier (55-56 years if i remember well) or Tada (well past 70) footage and let me know if they seem hindered by their age in their Aikido practice :D

The longevity of the practice is one of the best positive aspects of this art, imho... you don't need Bruce Lee or Jet Li body shape and age to achieve very good (if not top notch) results.

So, not only you can train, it will help your body/mind remain younger :D

Bye!

[ChibaFan]

Heh well, I've certainly learned a lot during the last couple of days :blush:
My intention was never to offend anyone with my age comment, btw! I was just curious.
But again, I have to thank ALL of you for your answers, and I've now learned that age doesn't really matters :)

[crbateman]

No offense taken. Now, get your ass on the mat, young'un... ;)

[ChibaFan]

If this http://www.aikido.ca/burnaby/ is the dojo in Canada where you will train, you are in for a super treat.

Best, and happy trails,
Ron

Allow me to mention that after emailing Mr. Mustard, he emailed me back with some info.
Apparently, the dojo is only like 30 mins away from downtown, which is not too bad.
Also, he seems to be a hell of a nice guy :)

I just wonder if http://www.aikidobc.com/vancouverdojo.html (http://) is closer to downtown, because it's also Yoshinkan style.

A question....say I train in Yoshinkan style for like 10 months or a year....will I have trouble adapting to Aikikai style after that? :confused:

[Ron Tisdale]

The teaching style, perhaps. But the body skills should be helpful regardless of where you train. I switch back and forth between yoshinkan and aikikai with fairly few problems...but then it's not like I'm especially good at either, either...

Best,
Ron (always wanted to say that...)

[crbateman]

Me neither neither... :D

[Ron401]

27 to old ? do you mean in dog years :)
I am 36 and there is only 1 student in my dojo younger than me, and he is 34. Age is just a number. Someone once asked an 80 year old man, how old are you? He answered "Compared to a mountain I have just begun" best wishes....

[Jill N]

Started at 39, still practicing at 51. Never looked back. I'll get it right one of these days.
e ya later
Jill.

[stelios]

I started Aikido at 30, my teacher (4th Dan) at 32, a friend (4th dan) at 35. Age is somewhat irrelevant. You want to learn? O Sensei said that training ground begins where you stand right now so take advantage of every moment!

[Qatana]

One of my sempai started training at nearly 40. She is now 77, a sandan, and only stopped training two years ago when she got her hips replaced. One of my teachers started training at nearly 40, is 76, a Yondan, and is still taking the same kind of ukemi as he was thirty years ago.
I starteed at 46 and am testing for 2nd kyu next week after 4 years of training.
No one is too old to start training.

[rachmass]

Hi Blas, I noticed your user name is ChibaFan, so I take it you are a fan of Chiba Sensei? If that is so, you have some excellent choices in your neck of the woods.

Pacific Coast Aikikai
Chief Instructor: Daniel Kempling
10478 Resthaven Drive
Sidney, B.C. Canada V8L 3H7
250.656-7979 FAX 250.655-2690

Mountain Coast Aikikai
Chief Instructor: Jobe Groot Dojo Location Mail To
8859 Selkirk Street
Vancouver, B. C. Canada V6P 4J6
604.737.7395 Box 535 - 3495 Cambie St.
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R3
Canada

I have never seen Groot Sensei, but Daniel Kempling is wonderful!

[ChibaFan]

Hi Blas, I noticed your user name is ChibaFan, so I take it you are a fan of Chiba Sensei? If that is so, you have some excellent choices in your neck of the woods.

Pacific Coast Aikikai
Chief Instructor: Daniel Kempling
10478 Resthaven Drive
Sidney, B.C. Canada V8L 3H7
250.656-7979 FAX 250.655-2690

Mountain Coast Aikikai
Chief Instructor: Jobe Groot Dojo Location Mail To
8859 Selkirk Street
Vancouver, B. C. Canada V6P 4J6
604.737.7395 Box 535 - 3495 Cambie St.
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R3
Canada

I have never seen Groot Sensei, but Daniel Kempling is wonderful!

Oi, this is a bit embarrassing for me :(
I haven't read about Chiba Sensei, but my user name has to do with Sonny Chiba, the Japanese action star. I'm a big fan :)
But I will certainly go and check out your suggestions.

Aikido Yoshinkai Burnaby seems like a wonderful choice, but I will need to think about the distances and all that, so I will visit every good option.

Thank you very much, Rachel :p

[cmbtdvr]

I just retired from the US Marine Corps at 59 ( after 30 yrs) and I just starting this new discipline, can't wait, Looking for something close to Wilmette Il. 60091, any and all info appreciated

[ChibaFan]

I just retired from the US Marine Corps at 59 ( after 30 yrs) and I just starting this new discipline, can't wait, Looking for something close to Wilmette Il. 60091, any and all info appreciated

Hello!
I just did a search for you, and found this,.,

http://www.americanaikido.com/Chicago%20Dojo.htm

It's probably very close to you, so I hope that helps,

Take care!