Beginning Adults: Do you feel silly?

[jakmak52]

I started training at age 38. I didn't fell silly at all. I had, at times, been frustrated when learning kata with the younger students in class not keeping up the timing and would stumble over them,however it improved my scope of vision and awareness

 

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[OldRookie]

Now that this post has been bumped thought I would ad~~~I am now the Oldest "target" in sparring class! The few other over 40's have stopped showing up but I'm still plugging along...not ready for my walker just yet!

[thaiboxerken]

Maybe you wouldn't feel so silly if you train in Muay Thai or Brazillian Jujitsu. Not as many kids are into those martial arts.

[Fat Donkey]

Yeah I'm 33 and it's tough. What u should be worried about though is that there r 12 yr old blackbelts. Sounds very McDojo to me. U should look around now that u have the MA bug and try some differnt styles before u settle down. It will be well worth your while.

[A_Train]

Sorry for dragging up such an old post (it was on page 17) but I'm pretty new here, so out of interest and in an attempt to learn more without repeating any questions, I've sifted through the better half of all 37 pages of posts on the forum. Its fair to say I feel quite familiar with the regular posters on this forum, and know them much better than they know me. Hopefully that will change over time and I will become a frequent poster myself.

Anyway, if there are any other 'mature' students looking to start MA and feeling nervous or silly about it, I encourage them to give it a shot and not worry. I almost didnt do it based on my age, and as it turns out I am among the youngest of the older students. There are people much older and in lesser physical condition (I say this with no disrespect), and they are doing just fine, and seem quite comfortable. perhaps we are more comfortable because compared to many of the stories here, there are many more adults in the beginner phases (about 10 that are green belt or less).

We also have both family and adult classes. The youngst students in the family classes are bout 10 to 12, and in adult class the youngest is probably 15. frankly I have no problems working with students of this age as they all seem to be full of desire to learn and respect. I am not at a sparring level yet, so I may feel awkward if I am paired up with a younger teen, but 16 and over should be fine.

All I can say is I love TKD so far, and have no regrest about signing up as an adult. Any lurkers who are considering it should definately take the plunge.

Cheers!

[aefibird]

All I can say is I love TKD so far, and have no regrest about signing up as an adult. Any lurkers who are considering it should definately take the plunge.

I totally agree! It is a worthwhile decision to make, whether you start TKD or Karate or any other art. Better to try it and know you don't like it than always wonder what it would have been like and regret not giving it a go.

Welcome to the forum, BTW, A_Train!

[Jiffy]

A_Train, well done on reading through so far!! That's an effort and a half.

I often have adults that come into the class (we have about 80% adults) and they feel silly to start with. The key is to remind them that this is normal and it will get better.

[bushido_man96]

It does seem like the older adults tend to be a little more self-conscious about how they will perform. If you can get them over that hump of the first few months of training, and they begin to perform with more ease, then they just fall right in.

[Shui Tora]

I wouldn't worry about it! You have a lot more power than the kids (not an excuse for anything) but remeber that they are only kids, and so the syllabus that your Sensei is teaching isn't covering the whole thing of your art...

My Sensei did this... All the dangerous things (takedowns, striking points etc) were included in the Adult syllabus along with the drills etc, but when you look at the Child Syllabus, all you see is the kata and drills and a bit of sport fighting... No lethal/harmful techniques for the kids!

So therefore, you will be learning a lot more than the kids, and so you'll be more advanced than them... Just don't worry (easier said than done) but try it.

After all, MA is for everyone of all ages... Not just the children...

[aefibird]

After all, MA is for everyone of all ages...

Too right!!

I hope I'm one of those martial artists that can still train in their 70's or even 80's.