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Old 02-09-2005, 10:51 AM   #1
wessexchap
Join Date: Feb 2005
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United Kingdom
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Age

I'm fascinated in Aikido, and would love to start on the path. The problem is that I am 46, should I accept that I am just too late. My general fitness level is not bad.

Last edited by wessexchap : 02-09-2005 at 10:53 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old 02-09-2005, 10:56 AM   #2
justinc
Dojo: Enso Center, Redmond
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 55
Australia
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Re: Age

Age really isn't a reason not to start. There are countless examples of not-young people both starting and continuing to do Aikido. Many of the master teachers are well into their 70s.

Justin Couch
Student of life.
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Old 02-09-2005, 11:00 AM   #3
mj
Location: livingston, scotland
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 715
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Re: Age

Quote:
Bernard Daly wrote:
I'm fascinated in Aikido, and would love to start on the path. The problem is that I am 46, should I accept that I am just too late. My general fitness level is not bad.
If you were 50 and heard someone of 46 asking...what would you say to them?

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Old 02-09-2005, 11:05 AM   #4
Tim Heckman
Dojo: Tokushinkan/Oak Park
Location: Oak Park, IL
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Re: Age

My first teacher started at 46, and has his shodan now. My current teacher and myself both started at 34. Last year, I met someone who had started at 58. Don't let your age stop you.

"Shut up and train."-- Fumio Toyoda
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Old 02-09-2005, 11:08 AM   #5
bryce_montgomery
 
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Location: Tupelo, MS
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Re: Age

Yeah...plus old people need protection...

Just kidding

I say go for it. Your not really that old especially considering the founder's age....anyway, age really shouldn't be a factor...unless of course you have brittle bones or something like that. Then you might want to think about it a little...

Bryce
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Old 02-09-2005, 11:17 AM   #6
happysod
Dojo: Kiburn, London, UK
Location: London
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Re: Age

Bernard, get on the mat and get training, stop mucking about with this interwebby nonsense
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Old 02-09-2005, 12:46 PM   #7
JMCavazos
Dojo: Aikido Center of South Texas
Location: Houston,Tx
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 151
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Re: Age

I have several students who started in their late 40's, early 50's and one gentleman who was 76!!!

Clear your mind of can't. - Samuel Johnson
A year from now you will wish you had started today. - Karen Lamb
The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life. - Muhammad Ali

Go ahead and take the plunge!!! Good luck.
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Old 02-09-2005, 12:52 PM   #8
p00kiethebear
 
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Dojo: Tonbo Dojo
Location: Bainbridge Island WA
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Re: Age

Don't let us whipper snappers scare you away pops. My sensei is in his 40's and doing great.

"Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity"
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Old 02-09-2005, 12:54 PM   #9
akiy
 
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Re: Age

Quote:
Joe Cavazos wrote:
Clear your mind of can't. - Samuel Johnson
http://www.samueljohnson.com/apocryph.html#30

As far as age goes, it all really depends. Best to get yourself to a dojo and start training to see how it goes.

-- Jun.

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Old 02-09-2005, 01:46 PM   #10
TheWonderKid
Dojo: Memorial University Aikido Club
Location: St John's, Newfoundland
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 49
Canada
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Re: Age

I'm with everyone else, just go for it. Age as an excuse is still simply an excuse. Walk the path and enjoy the journey.
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Old 02-09-2005, 02:06 PM   #11
Larry Cuvin
 
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Dojo: Oregon Ki Society
Location: Tigard, Oregon
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Re: Age

Bernard,
I started taking Ki Aikido last summer, also have a lower back problem. I just passed my 5th kyu test last month. I'm 45 and I can't get enough of it. Go to the dojo and sample!

Good Luck,
-Larry
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Old 02-09-2005, 02:43 PM   #12
SeiserL
 
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Re: Age

I started at 44, 10 years ago. Sign up, show up, suit up, and train. Welcome.

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
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Old 02-09-2005, 04:17 PM   #13
Don
Dojo: aikido of charlotte
Location: Charlotte
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 112
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Re: Age

I started when I was 39 and I'm 49 now. My sensei is in his mid 50's and still takes ukemi. One thing I have noticed about students who are older than say about 45 is that they are more tentative about learning ukemi, which is, I think, natural. You might want to pay serious attention to the quality of the mats in the various dojo you visit. However, assuming you don't enroll in a dojo that has 30 year old straw tatami that are worn out, and the mats are good, you should not be too tentative while learning ukemi (falling). Being tentative will make you tight, which will make your ukemi very angular, which will casue more aches and pains. You should expect a few aches and pains as you learn to fall, but if you are being taught well, and are diligent about practicing ukemi, you should not experience injury. DON'T try and do what the 20 year old kids do. You'll see them take big falls and land hard sometimes, and they can do that. They won't like it when they are older though and may have to relearn ukemi.

I think fear of falling is the largest thing holding back new older students.

My two cents
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Old 02-09-2005, 07:54 PM   #14
Sue Hammerich
Dojo: Full Circle Aikido
Location: Central Coast, CA
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Re: Age

I say go for it! I started recently, at 39, and with a bad back. There are a lot of great things that you can take from Aikido - proper breathing, posture, and just all of the other things that probably interested you in Aikido in the first place. Good luck!

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Old 02-09-2005, 08:10 PM   #15
Big Dave
Dojo: Shobu Aikido Connecticut
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Re: Age

I have been training for a little over one year now. Started at age 37.
I think that one of the reasons I chose Aikido over other MA was the possiblity of continuing to do it as I got older. I have seen many people in their 50's and 60's doing Aikido.
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Old 02-09-2005, 09:28 PM   #16
John Houck
Dojo: Westminster Tenshinkai Aikido
Location: Long Beach, California
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Re: Age

I think Aikido is a great way to align your mind,body, and spirit for your health at any age. Enjoy the journey
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Old 02-10-2005, 02:54 AM   #17
Derek Webb
Dojo: MK Keihatsu & Phoenix Coventry
Location: Milton Keynes
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: Age

Hi Bernard

I started aged 41 I'm now 55. Still train 4-5 times a week. I know of one guy who started when he was 70 and he recently achieved his shodan. Age really is no bar. You only need dedication, a sense of wonder and the ability to have fun. Enjoy.

Regards

Delboy
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Old 02-11-2005, 12:01 PM   #18
Mark Freeman
Dojo: Dartington
Location: Devon
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Re: Age

There is a lady who practices down in Cornwall and she is over 80 and she can still forward roll! My advice along with many others here is just go do it. If you can walk into the dojo you are young enough to practice.
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Old 02-11-2005, 11:58 PM   #19
samurai_kenshin
 
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Location: Oakland, Ca
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Re: Age

Quote:
Justin Couch wrote:
Age really isn't a reason not to start. There are countless examples of not-young people both starting and continuing to do Aikido. Many of the master teachers are well into their 70s.
Exactly...Anno Sensei os about 75 i think and he recently came to my dojo and taught a class...
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Old 02-12-2005, 03:58 AM   #20
bogglefreak20
Dojo: Ki dojo
Location: Ljubljana
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Slovenia
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Re: Age

Go for it!
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Old 02-12-2005, 09:26 AM   #21
Qatana
 
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Dojo: Aikido of Petaluma, Petaluma,CA
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Re: Age

I've mentioned before- one of my teachers is 75 and takes as much ukemi as the rest of us.

I started @ 46.

Q
http://www.aikidopetaluma.com/
www.knot-working.com

"It is not wise to be incautious when confronting a little smiling bald man"'- Rule #1
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Old 02-12-2005, 12:48 PM   #22
Michael Hackett
Dojo: Kenshinkan Dojo (Aikido of North County) Vista, CA
Location: Oceanside, California
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Posts: 1,253
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Re: Age

I turn 58 on Monday. Started aikido just under two years ago and haven't had a minute's regret. I train four and sometimes five days a week and get the occasional bruise or soreness, but have no trouble. We have some young studs who are extremely flexible, immortal, and indestructible and I don't try to emulate them, but rather the sempai who are quiet and soft in thier ukemi. My biggest problem is coming home amped up from a class and not being able to sleep for several hours. Give it a try and see if you enjoy it. Your age is no barrier by itself.

Best wishes,

Michael
"Leave the gun. Bring the cannoli."
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Old 02-18-2005, 11:50 AM   #23
vanstretch
Dojo: Kyushinkan
Location: Roswell,GA
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Re: Age

Happy Birthday Chief!!! 10-8.
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Old 02-18-2005, 01:21 PM   #24
Michael Hackett
Dojo: Kenshinkan Dojo (Aikido of North County) Vista, CA
Location: Oceanside, California
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Re: Age

Thanks Daniel. 'ppreciate it.

Michael
"Leave the gun. Bring the cannoli."
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