Why still do Aikido and Sword work at 65

People ask me why I do this at my age. What better age to do it again? I let my mind and body do what they wanted for several years and it showed. It was shown in my actions and my out of shape body. The sword is a razor and my mind has to be as sharp and focused as the edge of the blade. My body has to be able to be controlled to prevent severe consequence. So doing this work and meditation and prayer brings me back in control of my mind and body not under their individual and separate control. It feels good again to be there and in control.

Thanks for the very inspiring post Sensei Hooker. I am just a youngin at 49 and I hope to practice till the day I die.

William Hazen

I met you November 2007 at my very first Aikido seminar. It was right after I joined Aikido of Lake Keowee with James (Rick) Bartee. I still have notes in my palm from that seminar. We just started the the sword art you study and teach and really enjoy it. I am so looking forward to you gentlemen coming to our dojo for this seminar. It is going to be awesome!
We are so excited to have you coming.
Doc Randy

By the way, I am 54 but after over 30 years in Taekwondo and 3 and 1/2 years in Aikido I still feel 35, most of the time. LOL!
Randy

Dennis Hooker wrote: People ask me why I do this at my age. What better age to do it again?

Heck, you ain't old :-)
I know I hope to never give it up.

I'm the only age I am... I have been practicing budo since childhood and I continue because it's my choice. I will be training when I die... trying to learn more and passing it on to others. Ganbarimasu!

(Watching my son and his daughter training together makes me understand that I'm glad for every minute.)

Looking forward to next time Dennis...

Right behind you at almost 60 (Oct.).
I tell people its because I don't golf.
(Something about the windmills and clown faces ;-)

Onegaishimasu, I am grateful for everyone who continues, there's no better life and nothing to prove...

In gassho,

Mark

Thank for the post. I am 45, and Aikido helps me forget that I am not 25. Jokingly I told some one that at 15 I could workout in the morning, go to school all day, practice football (baseball, wresteling or track) and then train all night - day after day, at 25 I would work all day and train at night and sometimes take an asprin the next day, at 45 I work all day, look forward to class all week, but not I take the asprin before I train.
I love it! Trained last night and I feel good!

Train tough guys!

I think the simple answer is...because Aikido is fun !

As I grow older, I'll continue to do Aikido/Iaido for as long as I can...and hopefully that will be for a very long time...

Because Baker Sensei said so! He and his wife Marion were
very kind to me when I visited Florida and so we kept in touch
by phone even when I couldn't travel. Changed jobs, got
married, had knee and back problems but always knew I would
train again.
Baker Sensei told me he trained every morning
sword and maybe chi kung .... he spoke highly of you by
the way so I am passing on the greeting to you over a decade
later.
I miss him and so does my husband even though he never
met him. And I miss Marion too. I'll never forget when Jim
and Kelly fell asleep under the Christmas tree with Teddy Bears,
and I did too, so she gave me a Teddy Bear. So I was adopted
by them. I called it the Baker Home for Wayward Aikidoka.
Please forgive my seeming irreverance they were just really kind people so I had to mention it.
I claimed I didn't know much sword and jo and my
husband, whom I met way back in 1980 at the Y said
practice anyway and he reminded me of what I told him
that Baker sensei had said.
So we are starting again here. Baker Sensei gave us his blessing to be a mixed martial arts marriage. Chuck is from Shotokan, trained some in Aikido and has enjoyed judo for two years now. Before New Years I uke'd for osoto gari (no falling) and did the famous katate tori ikkyo entry pointing directly so uke's elbow bends in our symbolic martial arts exchange to continue in
2011.
I hope it sounds familiar the way I did it, or if not, it's only
my faulty description. It sure bent his elbow.
Regards and Happy New Year to all...

The fact that these arts can still be practiced at a high level as one ages might be one of their most appealing aspects.

Hooker Sensei walks his talk.

His mind and focus are indeed as sharp as the sword of Aiki that he wields on a daily basis.

Thank you, Sensei, for the many lessons of the past, and for the intriguing and valuable lessons yet to come from your stern but loving hand.

Dennis Hooker wrote: People ask me why I do this at my age. What better age to do it again? I let my mind and body do what they wanted for several years and it showed. It was shown in my actions and my out of shape body. The sword is a razor and my mind has to be as sharp and focused as the edge of the blade. My body has to be able to be controlled to prevent severe consequence. So doing this work and meditation and prayer brings me back in control of my mind and body not under their individual and separate control. It feels good again to be there and in control.

Anyone who thinks you are old wasn't in your class at Winter Camp...I got a kick out of you yelling at the young whipper snappers...

Aikido doesn't learn to strengthen muscles that can be weakened when we are getting old. Aikido learn how to improve our spirit and ki that cannot weakened even we are getting old.

Only those how have passed are too old to do Aikido. And sword work is fun, it asks no age..

I will be 65 in March and where I work I have 2-3 times the energy as people 1/2 my age. Does age matter??? The body needs to be fit, needs to be exercised. Aikido is great because the mind and body are training---together. What better way is there to stay young? Why still do Aikido and sword at 65?? Why not???

Phil, you stole part of my reply. "There's a question?" Seriously, I have considered 'retiring' from this several times, but the question that always comes back to me is "what else would I do?" Certainly wouldn't be anything as positve, I'm sure. I'm not at 65 yet, but I hope that I can't 'find' anything that'll make me stop before (or after) that.