Q&A: Martial Arts, Any Age, Anytime
Anonymous asked:
This is less a writing question and more a “your blog has awakened something in me” question. I’m 31, hideously unfit, and also a wimp. I also have a longstanding interest in martial arts that I’ve never pursued due to aforementioned poor fitness and wimpy nature. Am I kidding myself by thinking I could learn a martial art? Am I better off simply enjoying it as a spectator, or is it worth finding a class?
It’s never too late!
People can start martial arts at any age. The littles (ages five to seven) are the most common in the vast majority of martial arts schools because their parents are looking for afterschool activities, but plenty of people start in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties, seventies, even eighties, and beyond. One of my testing partners, Dave, started doing martial arts in his early fifties as an activity to do with his kids, and continued long after they quit. Last time, I checked in with him, he’d earned his fourth degree black belt and was a part time instructor at our dojo. One year, there was an eighty year old cancer survivor who got her black belt. And, during my third degree test, my regular practice partner was a woman in her forties who was recovering from a stroke. Any age, any time.
Most martial arts instructors who run martial arts schools actually came to martial arts in their early twenties to thirties. There aren’t that many professionals in the US who began their training as a little. That’s because the US doesn’t have an established family dynasty system, and you have a better ability to choose your passions as an adult rather than as a child.
The important thing to remember when you’re starting martial arts is that you get out what you put in and it takes time to become good. There is no end to the journey, and the journey to really get a grip on yourself can take years. (My view is a little skewed because the vast majority of my martial training took place while my body was developing, so it took a lot longer to get out of the awkward phase.) Everything about developing flexibility and endurance takes time, exercise can often feel embarrassing, silly, and even stupid. The goal is to not give up and keep coming back. Nobody is Jet Li or Jackie Chan on their first day. (Not even Jet Li and Jackie Chan.) If you see kids half your age doing incredible things on your first day, it’s important to remember they’ve been practicing for years.
I was an extremely shy and wimpy kid when I started. When I was between the ages of six and seven, I was so embarrassed about showing up late that I’d sometimes just hide in the changing room and refuse to come out. (My parents were the only ones who ever actually teased me about it, btw.) By my senior year of high school, I was an extremely chill and confident third degree black belt. Practicing martial arts is a great way to help you challenge and overcome your fears and build your confidence. If you don’t give up, the biggest blocks you’ll tear down are the ones you built in your own mind.
If you are interested in martial arts, it is absolutely 100% worth it to find a class in your local area. Just keep in mind, you may need to go through several schools before you find a martial art and a school that’s a good fit. There are so many different ones out there and most will give you the option of free first classes to get your feet wet. If one isn’t a good fit, don’t give up! Do your research and find another in your area. Training is about trust, you’ll get further with a teacher and a community you jive with.
These schools will also, usually, have classes later in the evenings that are a better fit for adults scheduling around their jobs.
Remember, martial arts schools are a really low stress environment. You’ll have fun, connect with other humans, and learn important lessons that will positively impact every part of your life. Also, if you’re a writer, it’s hugely helpful to get experience for writing those battle scenes. Really, I can’t recommend good schools with positive teachers enough.
-Michi
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Q&A: Martial Arts, Any Age, Anytime was originally published on How to Fight Write.
