68 Starting Over

February 20, 20224 yr

Hello and new to forum.

I am soon to be 68-year male that re-started JKS Shotokan after a 47-year break. I trained both in Karate and Judo in college in my early twenties.

Life got in the way stopped training. On 10/31/21 while lying in bed overweight for my 6'1 body frame at 265, middle and both sides lower back in pain, and generally out of shape, I made a decision to start training in Karate again. Best decision one could ever make.

I have lost nearly 7 pounds since 10/21, I will be belt testing for 9 Kyu 2/22, and having been working out Dojo for 1-hour 5 times and going to gym in morning 5 times a week.

I am so pleased with my progress that I wanted to share it here. While I still have issues and problems related to flexibility and range of motion with round house and sidekicks, I hope as I lose more weight and develop a stronger at-home stretching program this will change.

I am so happy to personally at 68 first to be alive and second improve my conditioning in JKS karate. Will keep posted as if I pass my belt test this upcoming week.

February 20, 20224 yr

congratulations on getting back in there. i started in my teens back in the early 80's and like most, life takes turns one way or the other...lol... military, marriage, work, etc.... and as such there were breaks along the way. i always either stayed in the martial arts or the gym, or a combination of both. but there were still breaks away for short time limits, a year here, two years there and such, but always would feel something missing and return to training or teaching. its a lifestyle for some of us that we just need. congratulations on your return and best wishes on your journey, keep us informed and if you have questions im sure someone here will be more than glad to share their knowledge, there are a lot of knowledgeable members here with a wealth if information and years of experience to share. good luck and welcome aboard.

February 20, 20224 yr

Fair play! It's a very nice reminder to me about how much karate can mean to people. It's amazing to hear that you've picked it up again. Good luck with the belt testing!

February 21, 20224 yr

Welcome to the forum and congrats on getting started in the martial arts again!

Also good to see a fellow Texan here!

For me bujutsu is not a set of techniques, but a state of the body. Once the principles are integrated, the techniques surge spontaneously because the body is capable of adapting instantaneously.