Gettin' Older?

[Chan Fan]

Hey to all... this is my first post on this site.

I am 38 and have been training in Hapkido for 10 years. I am a 2nd Dan under GM Jin Pal Kim.

I am curious to find out how other Hapkidoists are finding aging is affecting their training.

One big obstacle I am finding more and more lately is sore hips. I should state that I am an average kicker and have at times struggled to get the flexibility required to do some of our more advanced kicks (split kick etc.).

I have been to the doctor and discovered some chronic tendonitis and even arthritis in my hips and my left elbow. My only currenbt treatment is anti-inflamattories and my hot tub (occassionaly some ice first!)

For those who may have trained longer than me, or at least are training at an older age than me, how does this kind of thing affect your training and do you sometimes get discouraged about the prospect of aging diminishing your training?

[Thomas]

Nice post! I've been in Hapkido for about 9 years, including some intensive training years in Korea. I am in my early 30's. I suffered some pretty bad injuries along the way and that has restricted some things I do... also I am a big guy and don't favor many of the split kicks/multiple strike flying kicks and such. I train them but don't spend as much time on them as I do more basic stuff.

As I progress in Hapkido and get a bit older, I find myself going back again and again to the basics. I have lost flexibility but make up for it with target knowledge, focus, confidence and such. I may not be as flexible and spry as I was 5 years ago, but I am a more proficient fighter because of the experience I have logged since then.

My master is in his fifties and doesn't do a lot of the flashy stuff anymore (but he still can teach it). He is very impressive in his overall skill level... especially in effectiveness of locks and throws, ki development, technique, and depth of knowledge. I guess it just shows that as we age or lose ability (through age or other reasons) we need to re-adjust our focus on what we need to work on.

[Chan Fan]

Thanks for the reply Thomas.

I am doing the exact same thing as far as my training focus. Really working on my circular motion, weapons, and joint locking skills, and reviewing all of my basic techniques.

I am a stocky 185lbs and the kicking has always been a challenge to me, but has become noticibly more challenging the past couple of years (I get to the dojang a full half hour to 45 minutes to warmup for the warmup :D )

I am obligated to continue to work on the kicks though as I am considering attempting to grade for my 3rd Dan at some point next year, and this includes a variety of board breaks with kicks.

I like your point on the value of experience. I definitely rely more on this than I did as a junior belt.

You sound fortunate in your choice of Master and training experience. Good luck with your continued martial arts journey.

[shadow warrior]

Chan Fan

Aging and training?

Hapkido contains within it many areas of knowledge. Health, fitness, self defence ect.

Any instructor who has acheived a high level in their art, (in this case Hapkido) should have developed a well rounded understanding of the training and care of the physical human being.

Both clinical massage and accupressure are two non invasive areas which can assist the development and maintenance of flexibility, when done correctly. Good flexibility and a related reduction in stresses on the joints are made much easier when the muscle tissues are soft and pliable. I have my students learn many accupressure and massage techniques as part of their training. This is part of the healing aspects of Hapkido.

Another area of skill which can be applied is that of herbs (eastern) and homeopathic (western) knowledge.

Ask your instructor (Master Lok) to prescribe some anti inflamatory herbs (to reduce joint inflamation) and homeopathics such that your body relaxes while stretching as well as to assist it to recover faster between training sessions.

Joints do deteriorate over time, especially when you over use them. With that said, age alone is NOT an excuse to reduce your goals of improvement.

I am well over 50 and still fight with my senior students almost every day, (with the assistance of a 500 mg. coated asprin, taken with food) for my arthritis.

Seek out as much knowledge as you can about joint care and remember the old saying..."use it or loose it".

All of this assumes that your hip problems are not due to incorrect mechanics while kicking.

K. Stewart

[Chan Fan]

shadow warrior

Thanks for the reply.

Don't missunderstand what I stated. I continue to train and push myself, however my focus is on the techniques that I believe will be available to me in later years.

That said, I still continue to do all of the high level kicks and drills that are expected of my belt rank.

I take ginsing and advil to try to address the minor aches and pains, as well as a regimen of multivitamins and glucosamine (for the joints). I have also at times visited the chiropractor for some treatment.

I hope that I am still training hard, as you appear to be, at over 50 years of age. That is awesome!

Thanks again for your input into this thread!