Have you ever asked yourself if karate is for you? Ever worried that you’re too late to start a martial art? 13 years ago I wondered about those 2 questions. Well, As I sit here typing I’m fast approaching my 52nd birthday, and with 13 years of karate under my 3rd Dan belt (forgive the dodgy pun) and feeling on the one hand more knowledgeable about karate than ever, and on the other more of a student than ever, let me provide you with some answers. And let me tell you how karate has taught me that you never stop learning.
A lesson from the past
7 years ago I wrote an article for the MSK website, which talked about a lesson that I had learnt that very evening. 2 things had happened, my daughter (Freya) had been made a ‘Senpai’ (assistant instructor) and we had received a lesson from a visiting Sensei. Talking about him I wrote;
“He himself was humble but with an air of assuredness and seniority. He described the value of a club like ours training together ‘within friendship’ and not ‘competition’.
So to end I will take away that, whatever my grade or skill level, I will never stop learning from those considered above or below me, and I will always compare and evaluate my practice with humility, dignity, respect and dedication.”
What I quickly discovered
So how does this connect with the questions at the start of this article?
Well, at the age of 38 I wanted to increase my fitness, flexibility and maybe lose some weight. In addition to this I wanted to do something with my wife and children. I had no idea about ‘styles/types’ of karate, but that didn’t matter.
Very quickly it turned out that there was a lot more to karate than I thought. More importantly, karate was going to teach us and lead to all the things that the quote above mentioned. And there was I just thinking about fitness!!
Encouragement and Openness
I still belong to the club I started with. Some members come and go, some return, but aside from karate, what I have found in MSK is a friendship. A friendship with others who also, like me, have a thirst for learning. And furthermore, I’ve found a respect and humility that transcends the ‘physical’ nature of the art we practice. I have seen (and taught) students as young as 5, and even a few older than me. (I know right!?!) These people who came to train in our ‘karate family’ have one thing in common. They have experienced, and I hope they felt this, a spirit of ‘non-judgement’ and genuine openness.
Never stop learning
13 years ago I first stepped into the karate dojo with my family and I certainly experienced all of this. Since then I have made new friendships, visited Okinawa 3 times and trained with students, teachers and ‘masters’ who constantly encourage me to ask questions and better myself. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ‘super human’ and sometimes my ‘karate mojo’ dips, we all experience times like these. Karate came into my life for 1 or 2 simple reasons, but continues to develop my life in many ways that I never imagined. Hopefully I am able to do the same to and for others. Let’s also hope that I can continue on this path for many, many more years to come.
Today and beyond
To conclude, I am sitting here on a Saturday morning, having trained 7 times this week! 2 of these were with a Sensei in Germany via Zoom. One with a Sensei who invited me along because he saw my passion for karate, regardless of the club that I belong to. Just one more example of the openness and generosity I experience through karate. In addition to learning I have taught a class. So I can honestly tell you that you’re never too old (or young) to start karate. Also you’re never too ‘unfit’ or ‘injured’, as a good club and teacher will recognize these things and make adjustments that work for you. They may ‘push’ you a little to try and overcome the ‘barriers’ that we sometimes impose on ourselves. But all of that will come from a position of ‘supportive camaraderie’. This will teach you or your children to hold a mirror to yourself and your character, whilst improving fitness and knowledge of an art steeped in history.
Who knows, you might become a ‘middle aged karate nerd’ just like me and never stop learning!!
Pete Sundby
