white belt at 40

[blueyedpeter]

starting new training at 40 yrs old is not that easy need help with dvds to work on basic karta have set my self the task to be a black belt by the time i am 50 yrs old DVDs need to be in english thank you in advance peter

[seienchin]

Hi Blueyedpeter! Welcome to the forums. Why don't you drop into the introductions forum, (it's at the very top of the list of forums on the main page) and tell us a little bit more about yourself?

Regarding training - Just take it slowly! 40 is just the beginning - you have plenty of time. 10 years seems like a reasonable goal for yudansha, but a lot can happen in 10 years!

In the first instance - it would be a good idea to ask your instructor (sensei) about this if you haven't already done so - because there may be specifics to your style/group that are important to absorb at this early stage.

There are lots of resources in the forum that stand alone, and lots of links to other sites already. I would highly recommend that you visit this forum in particular:
http://http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/q-beginners/


Hope you enjoy your stay with us!

[Olrac]

Osu blueyedpeter,
welcome
be careful if you watch dvd's.
there are differences in kata's for each organisation.
Best thing to do for you at this time is to "ask your sensei" (as japman would say)

[Shokei Marcsui]

Good luck to you in your training. Osu!

[Azimuth]

I Restarted at 39 myself after a 8 year break.
No problems just listen to your body , if it needs to heal , let it heal and specially in the beginning

[Bloke]

Welcome to the forums Blueyedpeter - where do you train?

[sexininja_bex]

Blueyedpeter.
You're never too old!
Work gently on your flexibility.. this is one of the things that gradually gets worse as you get older.. if you do not stretch
Sexininja
OSU
X

[bushido spirit]

all the best blueyedpeter , nuthn is impossible

[hasbeen]

good advise from bex,good luck and try not to rush things! osu!!

[Spirit]

It is not a big deal being 40 and starting to train.
If you go into it with a defeatist attitude about your age it will hurt you.
The fact that you started at 40 shows that you have good spirit!
The key goals that you may wish to focus on are not rank nor Shodan, I don't think that is a improper goal.
Shodan is not a big deal, nor is it a goal for you to set but something that comes to you once you proof you can except it. The more realistic goals are to learn and be able to perform and understand all the techniques that are taught to you in class.
Sparring is going to be a little more difficult for you and (depending) can cause you to drop out if you get hurt and can't work or feel that you were beaten on for no good reason. Personality comes into play big at this point in your live as well. You're going to have many younger instructors who possible will ride you and push you as well discipline you, is this something you can handle?
Family life will also come into play, since you are starting out at 40 you'll need more time to train than some one 30 or 20... to learn the technique s adequately to move on through the ranks.

These are not words of discouragement, but only to help you to understand what is possible in your future and since you know this now you should be better suited to face the issues when they come, and they will come.

Good skill to you

PS "ask your Sensei" when you feel that you don't understand things, he/she is the main focus point of your future knowledge.

[Spirit]

blueeyedpeter:
I forgot to mention, that I have trained several students who started 45 and up. I found most of them to have the strongest of spirits and some of the best students to teach do to their understanding of structure, reasoning and devotion to their goals!!!

[Olrac]

osu,
I'm also 40 years old now.
I started at 14 boxing but noticed that it felt like I was missing something.
Switched to kickboxing, liked it a lot and at this same dojo they teached also kyokushin. So I started following karate too, to work on my kicks.
Then I signed up to be a marine so I had to stop.
Many years later, my son of 7 wanted to learn karate so I went back to my old dojo. Seeing my old sensei made me join as well. Had to start al over again wearing a white belt, but who cares....
Now 6 years later I'm 2nd kyu and still "addicted".
If you like what you're doing...just go for it.
You may not be as flexible as an 18 year old, but mentally much stronger (in most cases)

[Chimofu]

Osu BleueyePeter,

In 2002 I start Kyokushin after a brake of 10 years. Before that I did al kind of martial arts. Now I'm 38 and 1ste kyu... Like Olrac I must wear white too. But who cares.
What I've learned is...listen to your own body...and don't think that you are a pshycial young guy... Recover time is much longer.... Accept this....
Next year I'm trying to get shodan...So everthing is possible.
Have fun and enjoy the way of kyokushin....

Osu

[supergroup7]

Osu Welcome,

I started martial arts at 39 years old. Yes, it takes humility to accept that progress is a little more difficult, but we have the life experience to pull us through the hard parts. I believe that you will achieve your goal of Black belt.

I would strongly suggest that you take each step of your path slowly. For videos, I would also suggest that you bring a digital camera to your class, and ask if you can tape one of your sempai demonstrating the kata that you need to learn ( with their permission, and knowledge.) Then you will have all of the nuances that you need to know for your style of the karate performance.

[kyofighter]

No need for dvds at that level, just do your kihon and kata the way they teach you in the dojo, ask your sempai or sensei if you have questions.
Osu

[blueyedpeter]

Originally Posted by Bloke

Welcome to the forums Blueyedpeter - where do you train?

Osu

I should have mentioned my life is never as simple as any one wonts it to be , but i have started to loose weight through bike rideing and when i can arrange it strength training at 110kg was finding it a little tough so things had to change when i can i will ride up to 350 km a week but there many things to concentrate on short term goals and some long term goals thanks for the advice (peter) i am currently at 97kg its a work in progress thing take care

[koji112091]

Remember, age means almost nothing. Randy countor is 44 and the UFC heavy weight champion. OSU!

[RASor]

Osu,

I am 44 years old and a green belt on my way to earning my stripe. There is difficulty at 40+ especially with stretching and coordination. But then this is were hard training comes in. Determination to overcome. One thing is for sure your Sensei is not there to kill you. Be ready always that is the key.

As regards Kata, your performance of Kihon and Ido Geko would supplement Kata. After all the movements are done in Ido Geko (i.e., like breaking up Kata to parts).

Hanshi Steve Arneil values Kata it is important.

My best wishes.

Osu.

[blueyedpeter]

Thanks guys i have listened and accept the good words you all have given me i thank you all once again.

[Spirit]

Hey I'm 48 and still have areas that I'm getting stronger at and others that natural are getting weaker and slower.