BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Martial Arts When did you start Martial Arts?

Curious to see when other folks started their Martial Arts here. I officially started when I was 22. I wish I had started younger but I don't regret starting when I did. I have some Sifu's I've meet that only started Martial Arts in their 30's and 40's while others have started it as early as 5.

I started when I was 34, and I too wish I had started earlier. I take American Karate, and just got my black belt in july 04. So your never too old...lol.

I started Judo at 28. Off and on for a few years due to surgeries (NOT related to Judo injuries!). Now at 36 I am one away from black!

Congratulations pamp! That's awesome that you just obtained your black!

Keep at it Skinnydipr! It must feel great to be just one away now. I remember being a white sash thinking, I'll never make it to becoming a black.

I was 22 when I seriouly studied the martial arts and was on my way to making it a carrier. <img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" />
Then an accient killed that. I was pushed through a window and sliced a tendon in my hand and was told that if I ever damage that again, I'll lose the use of my hand permently. Since then, I have sadly put down my martial arts belts and haven't gone back. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

(ps, sorry for the mispellings, too lazy to check them)

That's sad to hear Thunderthighs. But there are ways to do Martial Arts that might still work. Have you looked into any of the internal arts?

no I haven't even really heard of the internal arts.
But, I do miss my martial arts something fearce.
I have thought of tai-chi, but there is no place around here that teaches it and not sure what cd is really good for it.

I started martial arts with the YKKF federation when I was 38, 1 1/2 years ago. I love it and have just obtained my orange belt. I also just started training in Kobodo so I am currently a white belt. I love using the weapons. Wish I had done this earlier in life. My 3 children also take classes, my 11 and 8 year old are brown belts and my 6 year old is a green belt. I joined after watching them for a few years. May take me longerto achieve my belts but I love it.

beachburgmom,

I can completely empathize. I wished I had taken my mother up when she gave me a choice as a young girl to take dance or martial arts. But starting at any point in life is definitely worth it. We have one guy that I know started when he was over 50. And you know what?

He outlasts some of the 20-somethings in the class. It's quite funny to watch. I've never actually meet someone from your organization before as I don't run in the Karate circles that much so I'm please you've stopped by!

I started in my late 30's. I'm 43 now and this past winter received my "BB"

Congratulations on your black Amethyst22! I'm wondering if you'll concur with me in that it seemed like such a feat to become a black belt/sash but now I'm here, I feel like there's a whole world of things I still have yet to learn.

I agree! Now that I'm a Cho Dan, I feel like a white belt again. So much to learn; the possibilities are endless!! When I first got my belt, I felt so uncomfortable moreso than when I was a white belt. LOL

I agree with you, once you finally get to black its such a change. Its like starting all over again, having to instruct when you hardly feel like you earned the belt to start out with is difficult, but you just have to keep telling yourself I earned it or else they wouldnt have given it to me. Now comes the struggle of getting remotivated after more than a year to decide if I want to start training for 2nd degree. Keep training!!!!! You can achieve it if you believe it!!!!

I was 12, and it was 1981.

I started at age 33 and hope to get my black belt before I turn 40, will probably be 40 and one month though <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I recommend it to anyone, I wanted to exercise and new aerobics/gym would get boring to me so this keeps me interested.
Osu

I took Tae Kwon Do in college and really loved it. I have MS and at the time had some residual coordination problems. My mom wanted me to tell the instructor this so he would take it easy on me if I have any trouble, but I wanted to be pushed as hard as anyone else. It really helped me completely recover. It trained my brain and body to make new connections to bypass the damaged ones. I would recommend any type of martial arts or yoga to anyone (even if you don't think you can).

<img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> At the young age of 54 in 2005!