Fear of injuring a senior training partner

[Murgen]

I just joined an Aikido dojo and I'm new to martial arts as well. One of the new students is a 71 y.o who held a Black Belt in Karate 25 years ago. He is a very nice man and eager to learn like me! :) Maybe this is premature But, I'm concerned since we are both white belts, that in future training I may injure this man which means I'll be hesitating or holding back in traning. Maybe it isn't something to worry about as the instructor must have some idea of how to train with an older student. Any advice for a noob aikidoka? I realize the best person to ask is the sensei and I'll do that when we reach that point. Just looking for any experiences or advice here as well.

Thanks,

Murgen

[Samurai_Spice]

Go easy on the 71 year old Bruv. Don't try to "rip him a new one" every time you train.

See ya.

[WatchfulAbyss]

After a few go rounds you should find his limits but remember go to easy and you take away from his learning of it. :D

[aikiwolfie]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. You'll soon learn each of your fellow students limitations.

[Virtuous]

Murgen I was in a similar situation. I would some times visit our affiliate dojo across town and get some additional training. They had an elderly student there and we were always very carefull with him. But Ill be damned, every time he threw me I swore he was trying to rip me a new one. I guess thats what us young wiper snappers are for :).

[JohnnyX]

I hope that he goes easy on YOU! :D

[KickChick]

I hope that he goes easy on YOU! :D

ROTFLMAO ...! Good one Johnny!!!! :D :woo:


All I can say is God Bless him ..... returning to train after 25 years at age 71.

There is hope for us all! :Angel:

[Murgen]

Yeah, I realize I may be underestimating him. I just don't want to be responsible for injuring a serior citizen ya know. But, like someone said we'll learn his limits and work from there. I agree, it is very cool to see him go back to train in a martial art at his age.

[Strafio]

I train with senior and junior students at my Tae Kwon Do Dojang.
Basically, I start of easy and see how they fight, and try and spar at their level.

Some I tap lightly, some I hit a little harder and if they're really small then I sometimes fight in a really low stance, make things more interesting. :)

Basically, start of gently, as he will with you, and then as you get an idea of each others limits you'll be able to start pushing each other.
Just watch yourself and if you think you're pushing too far then have the sense to calm it down a bit. :)

[Omicron]

There's a 68 year old Japanese guy at my dojo. I don't think I could hurt him, even if I tried. Granted, he's a 4th dan, but even then he's pretty darn good.

[Tomiki Ryu]

I have encountered similar situations in all the dojos I have been in, with every style of MA I have taken, but Aikido seems to be the worst for this particular problem. Maybe because alot of people think Aikido is a 'soft' style of MA? Sometimes I get upset that I have to train with sloppy or inept people from time to time but they pay their fees like everyone else and its damn hard to make a living teaching MA's unless your running a McDojo. People with low coordination will come and go, Aikido is a highly technical MA and people without the proper physical skills or mentality for it will usually depart in a month or two, never to return. If by chance you have to practice from time to time with a partner like the one you have described, just do what I try to do and work on your form, when you get somebody who is better, then work on your speed and power. Luckily we switch up 6-8 times during a class so you're not stuck with the same Uke/Tori all night long. Also keep in mind that alot of people are scared to death of low ranking partners, normaly they have very little idea of what is going on and will tend to hurt you by accident way faster than somebody whos been around for awhile.