Shari Rodgers
You watched all those great karate movies in the ‘70s and ‘80s and maybe even started martial arts. The will was there but, as with most of us, life got in the way. Now you wonder what it would have been like if you had taken martial arts classes. Well, you still can!
You may think you are too old and/or have health issues. Do it anyway! The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now!
You see us doing karate at the gym, and it looks difficult, and so you doubt yourself. We all did, too! That’s not something an older adult should be doing, is it? Sure, some crazy folks are doing it, but they must have a death wish, right? Can one really expect to learn anything new like that at my age? My limbs are not flexible, my balance isn’t good, and my mind isn’t sharp. My golden days are behind me … really?
The reason you, as an adult, will most likely fail at any new complex physical activity you undertake is because of a particular part of your brain known as the motor homunculus. Basically, this area of the brain controls the greater and finer movements, like trying to move your individual toes! The beautiful part is, this area of the brain can be trained—no matter what your age!
Although you may not currently be able to do all the karate moves you wish to do (or control your individual toes for that matter), there’s no reason that you can’t learn how. The brain of an adult is not “set in stone” and will respond to training just fine. Let’s forget what adults your age are “supposed” to be doing with their spare time and put in some effort to do what you always dreamt about doing—karate! The reason you will struggle when starting is not because you’re too old. It’s because you haven’t practiced and, therefore, the “karate area” of your motor cortex is still too small to allow fine control in your movements. You’re not too old. You’re just untrained. We can fix that.
It’s never too late to exercise your brain’s plasticity and your body at the same time. You didn’t start karate as a kid. Who cares? No need to let the prior decades of your life make all the rules. Don’t skip stuff that seems too hard. You can do it with practice, time, and training. Now, don’t expect to be a world champion. Your past is behind you, and you can now make your future. Karate is for you! You’re definitely never too old. Our classes consist of folks from 67 to 88 years young.
Come watch us at the Anza gym, ask questions, and give it a try. Both men and women are welcome on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m.!
If they can do karate, you can as well!