ANOTHER GREAT LIFE LIST IDEA:

Get a black belt

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Planning / How-to Tips

JonHughes
says:
10/22/2008

I got mine about 3 years ago (Shotokan Karate JKA) - happy to provide tips. For me as an over 40, the big challenge was time (I was training 3-4 times a week for 2-3 hours at a time near the grading plus practicing every night). Also, the degree of fear I experienced at the gradings was huge (in common with many others - a 4th Dan told me every time he graded it was like someone reached into his stomach down his throat and tried to pull it out....). I know a number of people who failed their gradings (more than once) and decided to pack it in before getting their first Dan...shame after 5-7 years of training.

Despite being pretty fit, at my age I got a few injuries which held me back and taking 2 weeks off for vacations were hard to come back from. Fortunately I had a great Sensei who took the time to call me when I missed a few lessons in a row and kept me at it...

I failed one element (kumite) the first time but retook after the required 6 month gap and finally got it....One of the best days of my life!

Keep at it!