Train With A Friend

A few days ago one of this blog's followers wrote in to say how much he loves training in the martial arts with his young son.  That may surprise someone who hasn't attended a martial-art tournament recently, but it certainly doesn't surprise me.  I continually find parents -- father, mother, or both -- joining their children in the training hall, and the entire family wins.  Everyone gets in shape, and everyone shares in the same challenges, frustrations, and successes.  And, yes, many of them compete in the same tournaments -- though in different age groups.
    Whether you study Taekwondo, karate, or another art, you can train together in a way that's just not possible with most other sports.  Have you tried joining your child's Little League team or PeeWee Football squad?  Ain't gonna happen.  You get to sit in the stands while your kids have all the fun.  But the martial arts allow families to train together, grow together, and pursue black belts together. 
    But suppose you're 60 or 65 and your "little ones" are married and have children of their own?  If you're interested in learning a martial art, get off the couch and find a friend who's willing to take the challenge with you.  And if you're a "retired" martial artist, maybe bringing a friend to the training hall will provide the extra bit of motivation that you need.  It doesn't matter whether your friend has martial-arts experience or not.  You can train together and support each other.
    Why bother with the martial arts if you're a "senior citizen"?  Put fitness at the top of the list.  There's no better all-around training program available.  And there's a powerful self-defense component that we can't overlook.  The older we get, the more we look like targets to those who are out for trouble.  But you don't need a huge arsenal of techniques in order to survive a street attack.  What you need more than anything is the will to defend yourself, and that comes only from training.  Beyond that, a strong, swift front kick and a palm strike may be all you need to buy enough time to get away from trouble.  If you're in reasonably good health and have a doctor's clearance to begin training, you owe it to yourself to put on that uniform and hit the training hall.
    If you're already training and have found a senior-friendly school, please send me a note.  I'm happy to publicize senior-friendly martial arts schools no matter where they're located.
    Happy holidays to all.  Hope to find you here at Seniors in the Martial Arts throughout 2013.