How old were you when you began...

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[Silver Tiger]

I'm 28 and have no prior martial arts experience. After doing some research, I found Aikido the most attractive MA because it appears to be challenging and promotes a general philosophy I agree with. Now I'm just wondering how older beginners generally fare in class. Do you have to start when your five years old to develop the "right stuff" for MA?

[Alex-hv]

Silver Tiger wrote:
I'm 28 and have no prior martial arts experience. After doing some research, I found Aikido the most attractive MA because it appears to be challenging and promotes a general philosophy I agree with. Now I'm just wondering how older beginners generally fare in class. Do you have to start when your five years old to develop the "right stuff" for MA?

I was 24 years old. And now I'm not the worst one (I hope).
P.S. Am I too humble? :)

[Pete]

I am 29 and began Aikido about 5 months ago with no prior MA training!! In some ways that is a bonus as you don't have ingrained habits of a long studied art to get out of.

I am the oldest beginner in my dojo by about 4 or so years as far as I know. But then I am one of only 2 no kyu beginners in the whole club that I know of.

Don't worry about your age!! Enjoy the path you have chosen and the friends you are making!! After all you have plenty of time to learn it!!

[Kevin]

Hey,

I started when I was only, um, let me see, um, oh yeh, I was a nine. I am 14 now. If your dojo offers children classes, ofcourse children started earlier. Age doesn't really make a difference. Since a I am kid, many adult have lapped me in rankings. I am not talking about adults who were there when I started but the newer adults. Don't worry about all that stuff. I really don't care about the idea that an adult is lapping me. I just like to train. Learn new stuff. Gain new knowledge.

Kevin
http://www.aikidouniverse.com

[akiy]

Silver Tiger wrote:
Do you have to start when your five years old to develop the "right stuff" for MA?
No, but I think it helps to start earlier, just as in pretty much any other endeavor.

One person I met started when she was 12, received her shodan at 16, her nidan at 18, and is now 5th dan in her mid-thirties. Another person started at 18 and is now 6th dan twenty years later. George Leonard sensei started aikido when he was 47 years old and thirty years later, he's now 5th dan. All three of these folks are fun to train with and know a heck of a lot more than I do.

-- Jun

[Kristina Morris]

I started Aikido when I was just shy of 43 years old, and now I'm 50. I don't do Aikido very well, but I enjoy doing it as well as I can.

Kristina

[rch]

I just started my training a few weeks ago. I'm 25 here, about to hit 26 in Sept. (eek!)

I did train in TKD when I was around 11-12, but I haven't retained much of it. Hmm, and it seems that the things I have retained, doesn't work well with what I'm doing now.

If someone wants to learn something, no matter age, they simply need to open their minds and let it in. :)

[Bruce E]

I was 41 when I started 1 1/2 years ago. While I have no delusions of ever becoming one of the dojo's "Gumby Boys", flexability is improving. Maybe one day my left ankle will come to accept, if not enjoy, seiza!

[Suru]

I am 21 years old, and I began aikido about a year and a half ago. I think I'll be doing aikido for the long haul, as it's become a significant part of my life. I just took about a month off, and my spirit-mind is suffering as a result. Aikido helps tremendously in keeping me feeling healthy, so I know I better get myself back in the dojo soon!!

--Drew

[DJM]

I started originally when I was about 20, stopped for 4 years or so, then re-started in April this year (now 25). Sure I regret, now, not having spent those 4 years practicing Aikido - but, since it's a long road, those 4 years won't matter quite so much by the time I reach the end..
At least I hope so ;)

Peace,
David

[Chuck Clark]

I was fortunate to have a strong early influence by a Japanese-American surrogate father who started me on judo when I was six. I changed to another teacher when I was about 10 and have continued to practice. I first saw aikido in 1964 and began to practice seriously in 1968 and have continued to practice. My practice during my teenage years and early twenties included karatedo, tai chi,and hsing-i. I was promoted to shodan in judo, karatedo, and jujutsu in 1964-65. I gave up striking arts and for the last 30 years have concentrated on judo, aikido, and since 1981 Shinto Muso Ryu Jo.

Without budo and Zen training, I would most likely be dead or in prison. Thanks to all who have helped along the way!

[joan]

how old is old, anyway? I started training at 32 when I was in "good" shape, trained very intensely for 7 years, then took 5 years more or less off. I returned this past summer in no particular shape at the age of 44. I think mental attitude is the most important aspect--if you are determined to make it happen, it will. Our dojo is affiliated with a university so we get regular influxes of young, very flexible bodies, with less frequent older beginners... Part of the joy of training is to adapt technique to all of them--and to figure out how to get this body to do what it thinks it saw demonstrated. The other joy of training is to help the other, newbie or old pro, do the same. Enjoy yourself!
Joan

[Yo-Jimbo]

This topic would make a good poll. Say 5 or 10 yr. windows, shouldn't mix the two, it messes up the histogram. I suggest:
<10
five or ten year increments
>80
Me? I was 18 when I started and am 27 now. The only previous training I had was 6 months of wrestling. I've done a little X-training here on campus, but aikido is my one true love.

[Nick]

Silver Tiger wrote:
I'm 28 and have no prior martial arts experience. After doing some research, I found Aikido the most attractive MA because it appears to be challenging and promotes a general philosophy I agree with. Now I'm just wondering how older beginners generally fare in class. Do you have to start when your five years old to develop the "right stuff" for MA?

[Nick]

Age shouldn't matter any more than race, gender, etc... when a person comes to train, give them the same consideration that was (hopefully) given to you when you first stumbled onto the mat...

-Nick

[guest1234]

Hi Nick, here's a question aimed primarily at you and some of the other younger members: i was struck by the thought of a 16 year old shodan, even an 18 year old nidan that Jun mentioned. I think a teenager would have no problem with the technical skill (and i'm sure be great at the ukemi); you seem like you do a lot of reading and thinking on the subject; do you feel at 16 you would know enough about how you (and others) think and feel, to truely be at the level of personal development i would think goes with shodan?

[Chuck Clark]

For goodness sake!

Shodan means "first grade"...it's like coming out of grade school with the basic tools to learn and practice. It means that you are beginning to be acknowledged as capable of being a serious student. A shodan should have developed responsibility for their practice and actions.

In the US many people expect shodan to be capable to lead and teach on their own. In the past this was necessary, but not now. There is plenty of talented experienced sandan around.

I have seen many young people with the necessary maturity and skill to be graded shodan at 16 years of age. (Especially if they have grown up in the practice and had lots of good examples of mature budoka)

Shodan is just a beginning.



[Edited by Chuck Clark on August 25, 2000 at 01:31pm]

[Nick]

ca wrote:
Hi Nick, here's a question aimed primarily at you and some of the other younger members: i was struck by the thought of a 16 year old shodan, even an 18 year old nidan that Jun mentioned. I think a teenager would have no problem with the technical skill (and i'm sure be great at the ukemi); you seem like you do a lot of reading and thinking on the subject; do you feel at 16 you would know enough about how you (and others) think and feel, to truely be at the level of personal development i would think goes with shodan?

That is a very good question-

To be honest, I'm not sure. I've matured a lot especially since I started Aikido- and as chuck said, shodan is a beginning. The real question here is are people my age really ready to begin?

In my opinion, for the most part, no. At 15 or 16, perhaps. I know quite a few people (my older brother included) who got their shodan at 16 and truly deserved it, and others with even kyu ranks they don't show readiness for.

I'd like to think I'll have the mental capacity to start others on the path if/when I get my shodan (whenever that is), but until then, I'm happy to strap on my white belt.

Kanpai,

-Nick

[Chocolateuke]

I am 15 and started when I was 13 and am still training and hoping to train for the rest of my life. I am a 5 kyu so I figure 3 more years of keeping it up to par and Ill see myself ready to train harder:)

[guest1234]

Thanks Nick and Chocolatuke (did i get the spelling right?)---you both seem very dedicated to Aikido from your messages. Clark Sensei, i don't think there was anything in my note to these young men that implied i thought they should be able to teach at reaching shodan; i think we would all agree that shodan in a beginning. But a beginning that takes preparation (or we'd all start as shodan, not 'no-kyu'); and certain ages are more ready to begin certain things than others (although there is always an exception). For instance, driving a car, voting, enlisting in the military, getting married. sometimes having lived a little helps in understanding...sometimes not. I know that i see things very differently now than i did ten or twenty years ago, and my perception of things as a child and teenager is very different from how i see things as an adult (or how i saw things as a young adult). The fact that Nick is able to understand the question as meaning is he old enough to begin to study says a lot right there. i've heard that there are schools that have minimum ages for dan testing (could be wrong in my memory of this)---if so, they must have a reason. (note i did not say a good reason or bad reason).

[adriangan]

I started when I was 22 yrs old and previous MA, I really wanted to start early but my parents preferred that I be more proficient in sports instead of MA, then when I started to work and earned my own money the first thing I did was to look for a dojo near my office then I signed up. Now I'm 24 and enjoying every bit of my training :D.


-Adrian

[Nick]

ca wrote:
i've heard that there are schools that have minimum ages for dan testing (could be wrong in my memory of this)---if so, they must have a reason. (note i did not say a good reason or bad reason).

Some schools have them and test often, some schools don't have them and don't test often.

Then of course, there's the dojo that tests as often as possible for the money and... oh, don't get me started there...

I do, however, think that (good) MA is good for children. By 'good' I mean a place that will make them do more than pay their dues to advance them- any sort of art, chado, kado, kenjutsu, aikido, whatever- the idea is not to fight, and don't we need that more these days?

Sorry, just started thinking about it (and thinking is dangerous for me ;)).

Ja,

-Nick

[akiy]

According to the documentation I have from Aikikai Hombu Dojo, one must be at least 15 years old for shodan. At least one year must have passed since then with 200 training days for nidan. Two years after that and 300 training days, one can test for sandan. Two years and 300 training days must pass before yondan.

-- Jun

[Nick]

I agree with that method, but I also think that they should judge the individual by his waza and attitude, not his age...

I'm sorry, I'm prejudiced in this matter because of the amount I've been judged and setback because of my age...

Thanks for letting me act grumpy,

-Nick

[Chocolateuke]

I think age limits are good in 1 way they provide a time to make and end a goal. like lets say i am 1 kyu ( I am not but hehhe ) and I am 14 or 15 and I have to be 16 to take my shodan test I can make a goal to improve on my tori or whatever than if I could be a shodan when ever because it is at any given moment the teacher might give the test and u might not be ready because u have been slacking and not focusing on any thing because u are sure that it will come later and u dont give a care int eh worls but u if u had a goal u might work harder. I might be wrong and people are diff I try to study to the best of my abilitys and try to allways improve.

but then again teachers dont test unless u are ready. ( this does not apply to school they test u everyday now what is a noun?)

[DJM]

Nick wrote:
I agree with that method, but I also think that they should judge the individual by his waza and attitude, not his age...

I'm sorry, I'm prejudiced in this matter because of the amount I've been judged and setback because of my age...

Thanks for letting me act grumpy,

-Nick
Nick,
I can apreciate where you might have problems with the way you're treated - more a problem with individuals than any organisations though, surely?
At the end of the day however, what does it matter? Will not being able to grade for shodan change your Aikido? Will it make your training time any less valuable?
If anything your time will probably be more productive without that shodan, from what I hear... (Not dissing yudansha here, merely that I've heard the nature of your training changes once you've got your shodan..)

Revel in your early Aikido career, and don't worry about days/hours/years... ;)

Peace,
David

[Nick]

heh- I don't really have to worry about getting a dan rank until I have a kyu rank ;).

What I was complaining about was how people hear I'm 14 and assume that my training is some kind of game...

Sorry again, it's early and I didn't sleep well... getting easily angered in my old age ;).

Ja,

-Nick

[Nick]

anyone else have an opinion on children training? just wonderin cuz this is gettin kinda low on the list...

-Nick

[JJF]

In my dojo there used to be a very capable young guy who got his Shodan at (I think) the age of 15 or 16. He has left the country by now unfortunately, but he was both very dedicated and very mature for his age.

At the same time there was a student who was in his mid or late 40's who practised for a loooooong time - never getting his Shodan. I once overheard one of the instructors say that this guy was ready for Shodan when it came to techniques and knowledge but his attitude lacked some qualities. I can not say exactly what was missing, but I always had a bad experience practising with this guy. He was always trying to dominate everybody else and had a very hostile attitude towards beginners (Something like: "You are not good enough for me to practice with, so you should be grateful that I will lower my standards and teach you anyway"). In the end he was given Shodan and quickly left the dojo to start his own dojo somewhere else in our town.

Just thought I would share these experiences….

[Simone]

Hi Silver Tiger, hi Nick!

I'm 28 now and started Aikido 4 years ago in our University Club. But I train in other clubs, too and I know people who started with 8 as well as with 63. I agree with all previous writers that the right attitude is important, not age or gender or so.

I also assist in our childrens class (10 - 14 years). I discovered that for most of them Aikido serves a very diffrent purpose (sort of a funny game) than for adults. And I noticed that they don't learn as quick as most of the older beginners. Mostly about 14, they take Aikido and the training more serious. But that's only for most of the children. Without doubt, there are some who develop earlier. But they are rare.

For me personally, I think, 24 was a good age to start and I hope to enjoy many coming years with practising Aikido.

Simone

[chillzATL]

Nick wrote:
anyone else have an opinion on children training? just wonderin cuz this is gettin kinda low on the list...

-Nick

I'll throw in my two cents on the children training issue. I think it's a good thing when it's done properly. It gives a good measure of physical, emotional and self-spirit training. The problem is that many martial arts only bother teaching the physical part and leave the rest out. So you get 16 year old kids who have been training for several years and have an ego bigger than themselves. They are always ready to "show someone" what they know and brag about and aren't mature enough to understand the ramifications of those things. When the training is done properly it's a very good thing though.

[Magma]

A poetry professor of mine told us that when someone asked you how long it took you to write a particular poem, you should answer, "My whole life." Because, honestly, everything that you've seen and said and done and chased and hid behind and jumped off of and rolled in and felt and not felt and been given and watched and worn and endured ---- all of that goes into your art, whatever that art may be.

With that understood, I've been training my 26 years.

M.

[Erik]

akiy wrote:
According to the documentation I have from Aikikai Hombu Dojo, one must be at least 15 years old for shodan. At least one year must have passed since then with 200 training days for nidan. Two years after that and 300 training days, one can test for sandan. Two years and 300 training days must pass before yondan.

-- Jun

Jeez, I shoulda went to Japan. Those are about 1/2 what I'm used to seeing.:)

To the original question. Started at 23 and I'm 35 now. 28 is as good as any other time to start.