Hello from Germany

[Capella]

Hi,

my name is Jutta, I am 48 years old and recently started training Kyokushin karate. I have next to no other martial arts experience. I did a little bit of Goju Ryu karate during an exchange year in Kentucky about 30 years ago and got a yellow belt in judo while I attended uni a few years later, but that's too long ago to remember anything of it, to be honest.

Also, I've never been a very athletic person. I started playing golf a few years back and that's about as far as my physical excertions tend to go. So what madness has befallen me to join the Kyokushin club I really couldn't say. I tried out a few different martial arts classes in my area, because I wanted to improve my fitness in a way that was more fun than just lifting weights in a gym. I tried Kickboxing, Krav Maga and Escrima, but the Kyokushin one was the one that pulled me in the most, even though I am way out of my league there. There is something very honest and real about it.

Some of the fighters in the class are currently training for the German championship, which will be held this upcoming weekend. So the training in the last few weeks has been very much fitness, conditioning and sparring oriented. I was thrown in at the deep end, so to say ... even though, I am not sure yet, that Kyokushin even has something like a shallow end.

I still can't do a single push-up in good form (I normally do them on my knees during training and still can't keep up with the others), I struggle to develop any kind of punching power with my left and I have bruises on my bruises (still don't know if the claim "you will stop to get bruises after a while" is true or just a myth). But at the same time, I can't wait to get to the next traiining, I spent hours watching kyokushin fights on YouTube and search the web for all information I can find on it. Which is how I found this forum. I had some trouble signing up, so huge thanks to Patrick for sorting that out for me.

[bushido_man96]

Welcome to KF, Cappella! Glad to have you! It sounds like you found what you want to do, and that's the best part about the Martial Arts journey. Enjoy, and welcome!

[Wastelander]

Welcome to the forum! And yes, you will bruise less as time goes on

[Alan Armstrong]

Welcome to the forum Capella

[sensei8]

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

[Bulltahr]

Welcome Capella, can't say it gets easier, you do get used to it tho. A journey of a thousand miles etc.......................

[Fat Cobra]

Welcome, and good luck on your martial arts journey!

[JazzKicker]

Welcome, and congratulations on starting a new martial arts journey at an age where many are taking it easy. If I could offer one piece of advice, it's to pace yourself. Give your body time to adapt and recover between training. Overdoing it leads to injury.

[JR 137]

Welcome aboard!

[aurik]

Hello and welcome to the forum, Capella!

I started training in Uechi-Ryu a little over a year ago at the ripe young age of 46 -- I would be gasping for breath and my arms would be rubbery about halfway through a days' workout. I went to a seminar about one month in, and I ended up with bruises on my shins that took MONTHS to heal.

However, I've been sticking with it, and I find that my speed, power and endurance are increasing substantially. Also after a year of body conditioning, I'm finding the bruises aren't nearly as common and they tend to heal a lot quicker.

Good luck on your journey, and keep us posted on your progress!