Aging and Martial Arts – what’s around the corner?
“We get slower as we age, but we also age when we start to go slower.” said Nicholas Thompson in his recent wired article called “An Aging Marathoner Tries To Run Fast After 40”. Now that I am reaching the end of my 40s the ravages of the aging process are starting to make themselves heard and they roar particularly loudly when I’m off to training.
SBN Hunt, myself and my daughter after a Saturday morning Dragons class
This last year has been plagued with one injury after the other that has put a massive dent in my training and my confidence. One injury can be demotivating enough but successive injuries made me start questioning whether my body was still capable of recovery. “Yes you are getting injured,” said my MD “but the good thing is that you’re a healer!” He said it with such enthusiasm that I had to believe him.
Heading for Testing Day last Saturday however still filled me with trepidation. Would my body withstand the rigor of 3 hours of training in its current state? The mental challenge was huge. I found it hard to focus and my Mom-brain slipped to child care issues etc while I tried to steer it back on course. My ever supportive husband dealing with his own injury thankfully was there to partner with me during techniques which eased my stress a bit as I knew he was aware of my injured parts.
I had to put my expectations for the day into perspective – I was not firing on all cylinders physically so I needed to focus mentally to get through the necessary.
Dragon Lady aka me and my daughter demonstrating duck and punch
Part of my training involves helping out with the younger students and the sheer delight and enthusiasm they show reminds me why I practice martial arts.
It may be easier to participate in an activity that didn’t have the same physical demands but then again when you find something that makes you step lighter and push harder it brings a different sense of satisfaction and self-awareness that is hard to replicate. Also I just think practicing martial arts is cool!
So yes it would have been slightly easier if I was 30 years younger but I recently saw a video of a 92 year old doing gymnastics so anything is possible. Nobody knows what awaits around the corner but despite the aches and injuries, I am still able to grow and learn and to me, practicing martial arts is still better than not.
Kuk Sool Won class – that’s me in the middle
If you are over 40 and contemplating martial arts, this video “Martial Arts Over 40, 50 and Beyond” by Sifu Matt Ember kindly shared with me by Sensei Ando Mierzwa (Happy Life Martial Arts) was a great Monday motivating moment! “Do more with less” Give it a go! “Embrace what is part of the martial arts journey!”
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Master Saidi or that of the World Kuk Sool Association.
PS: Greetings to my fellow Ruckusmakers from the #YourTurnChallenge – Joyce, Estelle, Ann, Patrick and KG Heath!
Martial Arts Testing Day, a humbling experience
The morning of martial arts Testing Day and our home is buzzing with nervous energy. As all four of our family members practice Kuk Sool Won nobody is spared the anxiety of the testing process.
Thankfully now that the kids are older the day has a slightly later start as the first testing session begins at 2:00pm for my daughter. In previous years she needed to be at the dojang by 9am with the other color belts.
Our son is now old enough to join us at adult testing time but all of us have similar anxieties – how many boards will we break, can we break enough to pass the test? How tough will the body conditioning be? Will we get through our forms well enough?
My husband and I spend some time reviewing techniques and the kids help each other out with forms practice. We are all aware that Testing is a continuous process and that improvement only comes from persistent practice. However the need to reassure ourselves before Testing Day is still a driving factor.
When I put in my best effort I know the day is going to be exhausting but also that there are always lessons to learn. I’m under pressure and my skills are in the spotlight. Glancing around it’s easy to see the competence of others. I’m aware of my limitations and although I know it’s a personal journey I can’t help benchmarking myself against the performance of others. I realize though that it’s only constructive if it motivates me to work harder.
I’ve come to realize that the mental pressures of Testing Day are just as important as the physical demands. The learnings in class are reinforced while making me aware that there is still so much to learn. It’s humbling and not always a comfortable space but we grow from it.
Sometimes to move forward we need a reality check. A point to assess the status quo and set new training goals. We may not ever reach a state of perfection but in striving for it we can bring out our best selves.
Keep striving! You never know what you are capable of till you try!
Martial Arts, Magic and the Stories we tell ourselves
It’s amazing that it’s already been 20 years since the publication of the first Harry Potter story by J.K. Rowling. An incredulous adventure filled with magic and awesome accomplishments in the face of incredible odds – which if course reminds me of the martial arts journey.
Photo 1: Kuk Sool Won Girls
Martial arts is the key to the magic of the body in motion. It unlocks so many avenues of development – mentally, physically and spiritually.
Anyone who has practiced their art in the great outdoors knows the feeling of connecting the energy within with that of the environment. It is a timeless, spiritual experience which opens the mind to calmness and control.
The basis of Kuk Sool is the development of “Ki” (Internal Power) and therefore Kuk Sool is considered an internal martial arts system. Meditation forms part of the curriculum and it’s wonderful to observe the effect of controlled breathing and mindlfulness even in the youngest students.
Often it is thought that the martial arts journey is reserved for the young and agile and there are certainly distinct advantages to starting early. Maturity however is not an excluding factor – your body is still in motion and there is still magic within.
When I look back over the last few years I’m amazed at the things I’m doing now that I never thought I’d be capable of. We all have stories that we tell ourselves about what we can or cannot do and it takes courage to move beyond the boundaries that we set in place. I recall the nervousness at my first “falling” session where just rolling over backwards induced incredible fear – now it’s the quality of my back falls that I need to work on.
If you are seeking some positive martial arts encouragement try the blog by Andrea Harkins “Change your Life in One Day”.
Harry Potter was the “boy who lived” and was one of a kind. At our martial arts school we are continuously encouraged by our Chief Instructor Master Saidi to do our best and push ourselves. I am not however the only mature student at his school – there are several adults at our dojang who challenge themselves and persist in their training – to be better than they were the day before.
It’s never too late to make a difference or take a leap – you have the magic to make it happen.
Martial arts can change your life in 48s, if you let it.
Yes it was the 48s of the Nunes vs Rousey fight that I had on my mind when I wrote this post title. Images and commentary about the much publicized fight were all over social media and got me thinking about how much life can change in a single moment.
Even a moment lasting less than 60s.
Although MMA is currently the top draw card in the popular press when people think of martial arts, it is not what lead me to practice my art.
Photo: Kuk Sool Won Grandmaster In Hyuk Suh with me at the training Seminar in Dublin, California
Yes, martial arts is fundamentally about fighting. However in a traditional martial art it’s about using your body as a weapon while also honoring it as a vessel for enlightenment.
Respect, self-discipline, control and increased self-awareness are an integral part of a traditional martial arts journey.
Every person who practices a martial art has their own reasons for doing so and has their own expectations. The teacher and school where you choose to receive your martial arts instruction will set the tone for your training. Finding a school that matches your martial arts world view is what sets you on the path of your martial arts journey.
It’s the moment that you make that decision, which usually happens in the blink of an eye that can change your life… if you let it.
I’ve seen all types make the decision to start but only a special few allow martial arts to change their lives. It’s not just about training, it’s a way of life and when committed, it will change the way you make decisions about the things you prioritize.
So when making resolutions and/or setting goals here are three things that I’ve come to know:
1. Growing and learning is a life-long process
2. When you do the work, you reap the rewards
3. Helping others also helps you.
Whatever your chosen art, embrace it and enjoy the journey.
5 things I learned when earning a Brown Belt in Kuk Sool Won martial arts
Is there something you always wanted to do but thought there was too much water under the bridge to take a chance? Of all the things I expected to do in my mid forties, earning a martial arts brown belt was a bit of a surprise.
Photo: Master Saidi congratulating me on receiving my brown belt on Promotion Day at Kuk Sool Won of Dublin, California Photo Credit: Swathi Ravi
The journey to brown belt has been enlightening and the top 5 things I learnt are:
1. Listen to the Yeasayers and Not the Naysayers
Not everyone will be supportive or happy for you. Some will be indifferent and some will even be mocking and condescending. Naysayers helped me to focus on the reasons I chose to do martial arts and to pay more attention to those who were being supportive and encouraging. Seth Godin defines the Yeasayer as being the opposite of a Naysayer. Find your camp of Yeasayers and let them encourage you to reach your goals.
2. When the student is ready the teacher will appear
Instructors are crucial in getting you where you want to go. A credible instructor with a great track record who fosters an environment that motivates you is critical. My family and I are fortunate enough to have a remarkable instructor in Master Saidi who knows how to teach each one of us to reach our full potential. Find an instructor that matches your learning style.
3. Pain is part of the process
Fear of injury was a huge concern for me when starting out. In class one of the mature adult students often jokes about the ‘mileage” we have to take into consideration in our training. Warming up is important as well as pacing yourself in the challenges that are encountered. However carefully I approached the activities though – I still got hurt. I sprained a toe on a training mat, hurt my back over stretching in warm-up and have regular bruises after sparring class. I came to realize that when practicing martial arts, pain is part of the process no matter how cautious you are. I often think of my friends battling cancer and consider myself to be fortunate to have a healthy body that I can push to its limits. My body can heal and conditioning makes you stronger. Experiencing pain is also where many lessons are learned.
4. Teamwork makes the dream work
Although practicing martial arts is a personal journey and a lot of the training is done by yourself, team support is a huge benefit. Training partners give feedback that is invaluable. It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a dojang family to raise a martial artist. Different training partners teach you various aspects of what needs to be learned. I am fortunate that my husband (blogger at Remarkable Runs) practices the same art and is also a fitness fundi so is able to give me great advice and support during my training. The journey to black belt is better with a team helping you reach your goals.
5. Time passes whether you make it count or not
The clock doesn’t wait for you is what I remind my children whenever they are taking too long to get ready. I have often wished I started out training when I was much younger and still had more pliable and malleable muscles. There are some people who have inspired me though who defied their ages and still achieved their goals. Often people will tell me that they would really like to try out a martial arts class but they will wait for various reasons like: till they have more time or had another child or found a job closer to the dojang. Time is passing anyway and its up to you to make it count.
My martial arts journey continues as I have ambitions of earning a black belt. If all goes according to plan that should take another 3 years of training. Three years will pass anyway – what will you do with yours?
Martial arts: you can do it, this is your invitation!
You have the freedom of choice. You can choose to take action or be overwhelmed by your imagined shortcomings and do nothing.
Photo 1: A high five at Kuk Sool Won Testing Day after a successful board break
Recently my ten year old son asked me whether he could audition for his elementary school’s variety show. I was somewhat surprised as he tends to shy away from the limelight.
He needed three other students to participate and thankfully there were ten others including my seven year old daughter, who were more than willing to share their love for Kuk Sool Won martial arts with their peers. They called themselves the Kuk Sool Crew.
It was heartwarming to see them band together and practice. They were filled with enthusiastic energy and their excited smiles when they got together were a joy to behold.
Their eagerness to try something different was inspiring. Although they were nervous it didn’t stop them from taking a chance.
We all have choices to make and chances to take every day. I had always wanted to do martial arts but I thought my age would be too much of a limitation. It took someone to invite me to try before I began my martial arts journey at Kuk Sool Won of Dublin, California.
An invitation from the school was a catalyst for my kids and their peers to try something different. An invitation from their martial arts Master triggered the start of my Kuk Sool Won adventure.
There are numerous martial arts styles including Karate, Jui Jitsu, Taekwondo, Hapkido, Kung Fun, Wushu and Jeet Kune Do to name but a few. I started out trying Tai Chi too. If you check out the newly launched Martial Nation website you can see the multitude of options.
Photo 2: My training buddy Eveline and I at the Kuk Sool Won of Dublin dojang in California
You can choose to stay on the sidelines and dream or you can launch yourself into the fray. The choice and the decision is yours.
There aren’t always obvious invitations to create the spark that ignites us into action but if you need one then here it is!
If you’ve ever dreamed of trying martial arts – this is your invitation! The universe is inviting you – will you accept?
The only permission you need to follow your dreams is your own.
Of Martial Arts Training and Limitations
You are not rich until you have something that money can’t buy.
A new year brings new training schedules. It’s a year ago that I began my Kuk Sool Won journey and it has been a real roller coaster ride of successes and growth opportunities. Being a martial arts newbie at middle age takes determination and can only be accomplished if you learn to take yourself a little less seriously.
It has also been a year ago that I started this blog, along with a lovely and remarkable community of individuals because of the Seth Godin Your Turn Challenge.
I am a goal and result oriented individual while also being a time dependent personality so setting goals and making lists is an automatic practice at the start of a new year.
What is unique about 2016 though is that I did a training schedule first before writing down my goals in other key areas of my life. Given my usual approach I would add exercise and view it like a mountain that needs conquering. A necessary set of tasks on the way to taking better care of my health.
Now however I see a training schedule as so much more than a series of tasks. In the past I didn’t relish the idea of training. It just provided the means by which I could build a healthier me. Now training is like a chapter in a novel. Each one enhances the experience and within each one new lessons are learned. Taken together they all tell a story and become a collection of learnings building towards a specific end objective, in my case, a black belt before my 50th birthday.
After all, a black belt is a white belt who didn’t quit and I plan to see this journey through.
If you do what you love you never have to work a day in your life. If you train for something you’re passionate about then training is no longer a task. Every bit of training I do is leading me to a new point of growth.
It is said that an old dog can’t be taught new tricks but if the old dog is still young at heart it can still learn an amazing array of things. It’s just the willingness to do so that is required.
I am taking my body to levels of fitness that I never thought possible and it is changing my expectations with each new milestone I reach.
I expected that my age would be an automatic glass ceiling on my martial arts journey but the only limitations I’ve experienced are those I’ve imposed on myself.
How about you?
For some inspiration why not check out some of the other Your Turn Challenge Bloggers:
Martial Arts Testing: California’s Got Kuk Sool Talent
November is Testing Time again. The fourth and final one for the year. It’s a time for the instructors to assess our skills and for us to establish where our knowledge gaps are.
It’s s bit like a stage performance, a live show with an audience after several dress rehearsals but it also includes a panel of judges. It could be akin to a California’s Got Kuk Sool Talent Show.
Pain is part of the process. As a previously exercise averse individual the concept of pushing your body till it hurts is counter-intuitive. I didn’t expect to discover where all my muscle groups were when I got out of bed in the morning!
Now however I know that the pain is an indicator of effort. If you’ve worked hard enough a bit of pain is a gold star on your workout sheet and if you don’t feel it you either didn’t work hard enough or its time to ramp up your routine.
I’ve been practicing my spin kicks knowing that for testing I would need to do a high spin kick to break my board. It made me very nervous. “So what part of testing causes you the most anxiety? ” our Chief Instructor, Master Saidi asked me. “Board breaking” I responded “followed by techniques and then forms.” And yes that essentially covers everything we do in testing besides body conditioning.
When considering my level of martial arts skill in relation to the task ahead, I felt like Hiccup in How to Train your Dragon saying ” you just gestured to all of me!”
Spin kicks make me dizzy, I can probably do about five in one direction before my world moves like a merry -go-round. Besides that my limited flexibility in my hips means that I struggle to get good height. So my hip flexors ache too.
The objective then is to not have to kick the board more than once.
I failed. My first kick knocked the JKN’s hand who was unfortunate enough to be holding my board. The next kick broke it but the execution left loads of room for improvement. If this had been a talent show I would not make it to the next round.
The night before in class had been one of my best kicking sessions in a while with my awesome training buddy Ramya. I was nailing the target soundly and powerfully with my heel. My leg was almost straight and my accuracy was great. It had boosted my confidence but at testing there was no hint of this history.
I could hear the voice of the Kuk Sool Won Grandmaster In Hyuk Suh in my head saying “you need more practice!”
Peaking the night before made no difference. It was only about how good you are on the day. Sometimes despite the preparation the cosmic forces deal you an unfortunate hand but that is when the show must go on.
What was heartwarming though was hearing the applause and encouragement from our fellow students. Having a martial arts family helps!
It was also inspiring to watch the more advanced belts execute their techniques. Visible indicators of what can be achieved with committed training. Watching my fellow students made it clear where the Kuk Sool talent resides.
Although failure can be disappointing, tenacity keeps us going and perseverance yields results. You do get what you work for. Masters have failed more than students have even tried. Failure and disappointment are part of the journey too but true strength lies in picking yourself up and trying again.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Master Saidi or that of the World Kuk Sool Association.
Giving 100%, make the time and make it count!
Murphy’s law haunts me, whenever you set out to do something, something else must be done first. It’s the same thinking that used to move me to action when I was in Church going through the liturgy and got to the part about what we have left undone…
It’s the reason I make lists. I always have one running. Usually it’s on auto shuffle. Parenthood means that new items get added constantly. Life happens.
Finding the spaces to fill that are not already crammed with the necessities and mundanities of living is not a simple process. It requires a firm decision. A decision to choose differently. To prioritize according to the goals you wish to achieve.
Sometimes when I become too focused on one particular goal, others can take a bit of a back seat. I was reminded of that in martial arts class this week.
Our instructor, Master Saidi, asked us to review our techniques. My anxiety levels immediately peaked because I knew that I haven’t been giving them much attention. In fact in general my focus on training had waned.
I’d had a bout of the seasonal cold and missed a couple of classes. My focus had been more on intellectually pursuing the art and unpacking its stories rather than on the actual practice. Its easy to get distracted as a writer and story gatherer. The outcome of this loss of focus was rather telling.
I had learned about the history and personal journeys of those who practiced the art but I had been neglecting my training. “That’s an interesting technique” Master Saidi declared as I ineffectively tried to recall Sohn Mohk Soo no 3, “perhaps we can add it to our curriculum” he joked.
Chagrin ensued, not a comfortable space but one from where meaningful lessons can be learned if I choose to put my ego aside.
I needed to remember why I was here in this dojang. I had lost sight of my green destiny and my intention and mission was resurfacing in full dramatic style.
You must practice these techniques every day we were told. The Kuk Sool curriculum is vast, if you are struggling at this point the only way to improve is through more practice.
Master Saidi had reminded us earlier that “when you give 100% in martial arts training, it will deliver 100% when you need it. If you slack off during training, your martial arts will desert you in your time of need.”
A vivid reminder. There is no room for excuses. I want my techniques to be good. I want them to be effective. To get there I needed focused attention and more training.
You get what you train for. Mediocrity is not an option.
I cannot give 100% of my attention to all my goals all the time. It’s simply not humanly possible. What I can do though is prioritize and give each step 100% in the time allotted to them. Make the time and make it count.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Master Saidi or that of the World Kuk Sool Association.
Done is better than perfect- my first Kuk Sool Won public demo
Our Kuk Sool Won school has a select group of students chosen to do demonstrations. They are chosen because of their dedication, skill and commitment.
Kuk Sool Won, yellow belt form, demo in the park
Every second Saturday of the month they meet to train together and practice. They are all black brown belts and their exemplary behavior has earned them a spot on the team.
At their last training session however there were two unlikely guests with the rank of blue stripe. They had been asked to join in the training for a particular public demo to illustrate the point that gender and age should not be a limiting factor in a martial arts journey. I was one of those blue stripes.
Since I had just celebrated my 45th birthday it was a fun way to mark the occasion. When I first pitched for the demo training class one of the black brown belt students looked at me incredulously. “You’re doing a demo?” he asked quizzically. “Yes” I responded, ” at my age one has to make every moment count!”
Fortunately I was doing the form along with my training buddy Ramya. I thought she was rather brave to appear in public doing a martial arts form alongside me. She is very energetic, fit and spirited so doing extra training together was great.
The demo was held on a hot and sunny afternoon at a nearby park. It was Community Night at the local Farmers’ Market. The demo team did an excellent job. They clearly were much more familiar with the requirements than I was.
When our turn came I surprisingly didn’t feel too anxious and initially started off well. We were about half way through when things went a bit awry and I kicked with the wrong leg!
At least I managed to smile at my error and move on. Our fellow participants were very complimentary and encouraging. My kids, dressed in their doboks were excited to be there and my sweet husband came straight to the venue after work to offer me support.
We had a second opportunity to do our form and lo and behold I made the same error the second time around! My performance was far from ideal but being there was already a challenge overcome. I still felt a sense of accomplishment and doing the demo in public motivated to keep practicing. We are all growing and learning.
Sometimes done is better than perfect.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Master Saidi or that of the World Kuk Sool Association.
Junbi 