OSS

[nunopicado]

Hello people.

Just dropping a line to introduce myself.

41 yo beginner in Shotokan Karate from Portugal.

My 13 yo kid started last April, and spent Spring and Summer asking me to join him (guess he was eager for the opportunity to through a few kicks at his dad ).

I actually was 30 years overdue, as as a kid I wanted to join (after seeing Karate Kid, of course). Didn't happened then, it happened now.

Also, I've been saying for too long I don't have time to hit the gym, so exercise has not been on my book for years now. But I had to make time to take my kid to the dojo, wait for him to finish and bring him back. It was kinda obvious that that time could be better used if I was training as well.

I've been on it for a month now, 4 days a week. Loving it so far!

The first weeks I was all but dead by the end of each session, now I get to the ending wishing it would be a little longer. That's a good sign, wouldn't you say?

Any advice/suggestion?

OSS

[sensei8]

Welcome to KF, nunopicado; glad that you're here!!

Relax!! Train hard!! Train well!!

Great to hear that your son and you are sharing this experience; priceless!!

Better late than never; you're learning the MA now, right?! Serious training at the Dojo is akin, if not more, to going to the gym. Be very serious in your MA training because learning effectiveness requires being serious across the board.You're already improving across the board, even if it's only a little bit. After all, the MA takes TIME to acquire the knowledge and experience.

Rank should mean absolutely nothing to you and your son; it's about improving your personal, as well as your MA, betterment.

You will fail form time to time, no matter what it might be, this is a give-me. This is where the AHA moments come, and these are necessary for growth. As far as the Testing Cycles are concerned, allow them to take care of itself, and it will; you'll never get 100% on any Testing Cycle...never ever, so do fret over them more than is natural!!

Embrace everything that you're taught, and ASK questions of your CI endlessly because the MA journey is yours and yours alone; be accountable of your training.

Good luck to the two of you!!

[nunopicado]

Thank you sensei8.

That's my goal, yes! Relax, have fun, but trying to make the most out of each session.

Being in this experience with my son is indeed priceless! I told him I would join only if he taught me first the first Kata. This engaged him in the process of taking me in, and indeed he taught me.

Yes, I'm learning it now, and yes, taking it very seriously. No point in being there, paying the fee, and not giving it all or getting from it all I can get (with hard work). It's my path to walk in, and no one else will do it for me! Also, what kind of example I would be giving my kid if I would just start slacking?

Rank is not something I give much thought. My sensei tries to create union between members, regardless of rank. We do (mostly) the same exercises, and everyone tries to teach and learn with everyone else, when needed.

I do ask a lot of questions... If age gave me anything (compared to when I was a kid) was the eagerness to know 'how' and 'why', not just 'what', so each new movement I try to learn exactly how it should be done. Not that I always get it right, of course. But I try.

Thank you for your words...

[MatsuShinshii]

nunopicado, welcome to KF!

[JR 137]

Welcome to the forum, nunopicado. Sensei8 said most of what I was thinking, only he said it better than I could have.

Your story of why you joined is quite common in the dojo I attend. Many of the adults sat and watched their kids and asked themselves why they were just sitting there. Quite a few of them continued training after their children either got bored and left or life took them to other places like college and careers.

I’m glad you’re finding it so enjoyable.

[Fat Cobra]

Welcome. Great to hear that your are motivated. Keep up the hard work!

[bushido_man96]

Welcome to KF!

[Patrick]

Nice to have you, nunopicado. Thank you for joining us.

Patrick

[nunopicado]

Thank you all!

[Wastelander]

Welcome to the forum