Quote:
Originally posted by Mrs. T
Hi. Frank White brought his conversation to my attention and I found all of the various responses quite interesting.
I am actually an old woman (47) and I own a martial arts school in Arkansas that also has a weight room and an aerobics program. I have been taking Taekwondo for 12 years and am a 3rd Dan Black Belt. I teach tkd, tai chi, several weapons, cardiokarate and am a certified personal trainer. Other training inlcudes Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics and PPCT (both of which I also teach) and KravMaga (which I do not teach). I have been competing throughout my training and have maintained a ranking in the top 10 in my MA Association for the past 10 years.
It is never too late to begin training in the martial arts. I was 35 (and fat) when I started and now own the school that originally belonged to my instructor. I train students from ages 4 to 76. Both of my children are also my students and they are both 2nd Dan black belts. He is 19 and she is 17. You get out of martial arts training what you are ready, willing and able to put into it. Personally I will be practicing my art until I die.
Martial arts training is great because it works the ENTIRE body, mind and spirit. It is also great cross training for other sports. Several of my MA students are also star members of their basketball and baseball teams. Martials arts training blends very well with weight training, but not necessarily as well with BODYBUILDING. Bodybulding shortens the muscles and impedes one's range of motion unless the bodybuilder spends a LOT of time stretching the mucles back out (which actually conflicts a little bit with the purpose of bodybuilding).
Something that one should definitely consider about martial arts training is their reason for doing it. If one enjoys street fighting and bar room brawls, fine. But a martial artist has certain responsibilities. Legally and morally a martial artist is held to a higher set of standards. If a person is accidentally killed in a street fight or bar room brawl, it can be determined as an accident or self defense. If a martial artist kills someone in a fight, there is no such thing as accidental death and the person must be prepared to defend themself against a murder charge. Just food for thought.
Enjoy the seach and the journey. Mrs. T