Are you to old?

[Montana]

Are you to old to do the arts any longer?

Here's a link to a video from the early 1970's of OSensei Soken Hohan at about 80 years old performing Chinto. Stories abound of this man performing tossing 20 year olds around his dojo well into his late 70's.

[Karateka_latino]

You are as old as you allow you to be. I've seen people done by there early 30's and also people still doing amazing things over the ages of 60 or 70.

[bushido_man96]

It really is about taking good care of yourself. Genetics can play a part in it as well. Some people just age better than others. Another part of it is adjusting your training routine as your body gets older, so as not to push it too far.

[Takusankage Soke]

You are as old as you allow you to be. I've seen people done by there early 30's and also people still doing amazing things over the ages of 60 or 70.

This is quite true, you are only as old as you allow yourself to be. Even if you are 90 and are stricken with arthritis, you can still begin martial arts training. It will just require more dedication.

[RealWingChunKuen]

Also, if you practice the "softer" such as Tai Chi, Pakua, Hsing I and various other internal styles of kung fu, then you will literally be able to practice until your last breath.

AND, not only will you be practicing until your old age, but also, your health and general quality of life will also improve as you grow older.

[gzk]

Helio Gracie is in his mid-90s and still trains and helps his sons with seminars and demonstrations.

shows him at 91, demonstrating techniques for a sports reporter (it's also a great intro to BJJ ).

[YoungMan]

Age is just a number. I've met 30 year olds who looked like they were 50. Conversely, I've met 50 year olds in great shape. I'm 38 and feel 20. There is no such thing as too old for martial arts. There is always some part of it you will be able to do. And this is one feature that distinguishes it from many western sports.

[Montana]

And one other thing to consider is that in the martial arts, you don't really "peak" until you're in your mid to late-50's. You can't really say that about many other "sports" (I don't like to call the martial arts a sport).

Well, except maybe bowling and golf...

[YoungMan]

Another nice thing about traditional martial arts, the longer you practice the stronger you get and more power you have. So that when you get older, martial arts builds your body up and makes you better than you would be at a comparable age if you didn't practice. Contrast that with many practitioners of western sports, especially athletes, who need joint replacements, and whose bodies just cannot handle the stress after a certain age. How many basketball or football players over age 40 do you know? Very few. How many martial artists over age 40 do you know? I know lots. They may not be doing 540-degree spin kicks, but they are still formidable.

I worked out with my Instructor (over 50) several weeks ago. He still works the bag over.

[Sensei Rick]

As I have stated before in many posts, I am currently studying with Sensei Koyama. He is 72!!!He teaches 6 days a week. And what is even more amazing is he does our class (1 hour a day, 3 days a week) then my training partners and I go to lunch. When we come back from lunch, sensei is still inside the dojo,Still working out!! and these are no wimpy workouts. Hard core, old school shotokan. I only pray to be that active when I'm his age. he truly is the embodiment of karate do.