Read this article Although there are those that argue that people should not take martial arts not only as a way to stay physically fit, but to learn how to fight. .... are you going to tell that to this gentleman? “If you’re a senior citizen, it gives you confidence,” he said. “Every time you go, you’re accomplishing something. They didn’t take it easy on me because I was an old man. I guess I rob my energy from the young ones". So I'm putting it up here for discussion. How does one gear a class for a senior citizen? Are they required to perform in the way their fellow younger students do? What about the black belt test?
In Kimura Shukokai we have a 93 year old that shows up for every world training class. He can't keep going the entire class (expecially since they are about 4-7 hours) but he tries. I would grade them more towards their effort and a little on their talent. If they just aren't very good then I simply would keep them going till a certain belt and then wait. I wouldn't have them spar that much unless they are confident that they can. And as for the statement that you should only take martial arts to learn how to fight, I belive that that is a possibilty, one can join a club simpily to learn how to fight and it will work, but the option of joining a club to stay fit should definitly not be ruled out.
We have one senior citizen in our school, (besides me ). She's in her late 60's to mid-70's I would guess, and she's gotten quite good at patterns, and has advanced to Green belt. Her sparring is of course not necessarily the best at her grade level, but not significantly worse. Her attendance is exemplary, as is her spirit. Can she make it all the way to black belt? I dunno, the mandatory board breaks could be a big problem, as well as the mandatory aerial technique, but we'll just have to wait a few years and see.
Our oldest student started at age 71, and is now halfway to his blackbelt. He is an inspiration to us all. He can break two to three boards (it scares me when he does, but he always pulls it off). One time he wanted to try a multi-board break on a technique that the Master Instructor overruled, so we do have people watching out for that as well. He doesn't have the speed in the kicking cobinations or self-defense moves or in sparring. He can perform the forms and demonstrate power in the techniques. Other than speed/timing. the bigest difference in class is in length of time and manner for warming up and stretching. Most of the time, though, he comes early enough to warm up the way he needs.
Martial arts are a way of life. This old gentleman has life experience. It would surprise me not at all if we could learn from him. Koyo
Black Belt proved age is just a number Came across this article today about a woman who after 5 years of TKD , earned her blackbelt at the age of 76 Of her black belt test, she said,
Grand Ma's tkd If this has been post already sorry.For any of you that have not read the article its inspiring. http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1947054
Excellent, even if they couldn't totally defend themselves it'd sure surprise the heck out of them. Plus it has to make them feel better physically.
I agree,can you imagine the poor guy that tries to steal one of their purses and gets a solid front kick to the groin . On a diffrent note,I am thinking I could win some trophys if I were to wear a grey wig and enter a competion in their division .Nah,I probably get my lunch handed to me,the lady in the picture looks pretty tough.
LOL ... that will be the name of my school one day .... ain't THAT the truth! I got signs of that happening already!
This article appeared in Japan Times online yesterday.... http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fs20060926a4.html Esaka Seigen, 80, is regarded by many people to be the world's leading practitioner of Iaido -- the art of drawing a Japanese sword. He holds the highest rank, 10th dan, is vice-president of the Zen Nihon Iaido Renmei and has been practicing the art form for 50 years. I love his "Words to Live By"
In my school back in Wisconsin, we have an 85 year old, and several in their 70's. My favorite guy is 75, had to have his wife put chairs along the driveway so he could sit on his way to getting the mail. Couldn't tie his shoes even. The last I heard he was a brown belt and wanting to organize a 'seniors' class.
Oh man.. There is a video floating around somewhere in cyberspace of a man pushing 93+ performing an advanced Arhat boxing form... Going into positions I can't do. And I'm pretty damn flexible... I BEG SOMEONE! FIND IT! My work won't let me play videos or dig for them!
You can get off your knees now http://media.putfile.com/93-year-old-Wushu-master-Ma-ZhenWu AMAZING!!!
