Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:36:00 +0100 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 14 #326 - 14 msgs X-Mailer: Mailman v2.0.13.cisto1 MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Errors-To: the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net X-BeenThere: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13.cisto1 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: The Internet's premier discussion forum on Korean Martial Arts. 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Copyright 1994-2007: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Korean Martial Arts. 2,200 members. See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! Today's Topics: 1. Re:Curious, How many of us are over 50 training (Kat Kelly) 2. The "over 50" crowd (JR West) 3. Re: Curious, How many of us are over 50 training (Yarchak, Mary Kay) 4. still crazy after 50 (David Weller) 5. How many of us are over 50 training (Dave Marriott) 6. How many of us are over 50 training (Curt McCauley) 7. Re: Black Belt over 50 (bulldog813@aol.com) 8. Re: Training over age 50 (Sheree Goldstein) 9. Re: Re:Curious, How many of us are over 50 training (cannon.jeff@comcast.net) 10. Re: Re:Curious, How many of us are over 50 (Ray) 11. Re: Re: Training over age 50 (steven riggs) 12. Re: Re:Curious, How many of us are over 50 (cannon.jeff@comcast.net) 13. Training over 50 (Donald) --__--__-- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 13:29:42 -0800 (PST) From: Kat Kelly To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Re:Curious, How many of us are over 50 training Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Master Richard A Hodder 8th Dahn TKD Just barley over 50 years in age, training for more then 40 of those years still training and teaching even after 17 surgeries I am sure this leaves little room for anyone to come up with any GOOD excuses :) Colorado Kat Kelly --__--__-- Message: 2 From: "JR West" To: Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 15:37:35 -0600 Subject: [The_Dojang] The "over 50" crowd Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I am fortunate enough to have group of the geriatric set at my school, and when surveying the group, there are at least 10 dan holders that are between 50 and 60 years of age. I, of course, am still the most senior in age, but I had a man once who started at 62, attained his first dan at 66, opened a class in his home town at 72 while still making the 100 mile round trip to my dojang for several more years before cancer took him. He would often complain that his younger classmates took it easy on him because he was old, and nothing made him prouder that being pounded into the mat, with the possible exception of pounding them back. I remember him saying two things that have really stuck with me....first: "I wish I had started Hapkido when I was a young man of about 50"........... and second: "I don't want to live to be 100 if my body died when I was 50"....... --__--__-- Message: 3 Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 16:22:02 -0500 From: "Yarchak, Mary Kay" To: Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: Curious, How many of us are over 50 training Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I'm 51 and I'll be testing for 3rd dan (TSD) next weekend. I heal more slowly than I used to and I'm a bit stiffer after sitting 1/2 lotus on the floor for any length of time but I do love this art and I'll keep training as hard as I can until stuff quits working. Tang Soo! MK --__--__-- Message: 4 From: David Weller Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 15:25:05 -0600 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] still crazy after 50 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net this 52 YR black belt still trains, teaches and gets an occasional boo-boo..... dave On Nov 9, 2007, at 3:18 PM, the_dojang- request@martialartsresource.net wrote: > Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2007 18:56:12 -0800 (PST) > From: R M TOMLINSON > To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > Subject: [The_Dojang] Curious, How many of us are over 50 training > Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > > Curious, How many 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th dan over 50 are still training? --__--__-- Message: 5 From: "Dave Marriott" To: Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 22:41:26 -0000 Subject: [The_Dojang] How many of us are over 50 training Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net << Curious, How many 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th dan over 50 are still training?>> I had an ambition to get my black belt in Hapkido before I was 45 and just made it. I am now 54 and have a 3rd degree black belt in Hanmudo and 1st degree in Hapkido. I find stiffness a bigger problem these days along with a slower recovery rate from injurys. I once spoke to a 6th degree black belt in Judo who was still fighting and teaching at the age of 62. When someone asked him why he didn't retire he replied, "If I do I might start to get old". Cheers Dave Marriott www.yakma.co.uk --__--__-- Message: 6 From: "Curt McCauley" To: Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 14:25:43 -0800 Subject: [The_Dojang] How many of us are over 50 training Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net 64 next year, teach 6 days per week, I have one student at 76 years (Sam Dan preparing for Sa Dan), One at 69 (orange), one at 62 (prepping for O Dan), one at 61 (Cho Dan) one at 60 (Sam Dan), one at 57 (Sam Dan, One at 56(testing for Sam Dan this month), one at 53 (prepping for Sam Dan), one at 52 (just passed Sa Dan). Yes you can hear the Dojang (built 1943) creak and it's not just the boards. Did we fail some sort of intelligence test? We of course have the 6yr olds to the 40year olds, but most of them can't keep up with us. thanks for the info on the many toes of the Chinese Dragons. Had heard another fable about how the chinese dragon looses it's toes the further it gets away from home, as well as the Japanese one that their dragon gains toes the further away from Japan it gets. Fair ye all well, Curt McCauley Channel Town Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan --__--__-- Message: 7 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:10:32 -0500 From: bulldog813@aol.com Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: Black Belt over 50 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net 54, 4th dan (TSD) and still active in Michigan.? Although I regularly with my KJN, who is in his early 70's, and several of my cohorts are in their sixties, I am more often than not the oldest person in the room.? Weird the first time I realized that.? Still think I'm 20 (or maybe 40).? Definitely feel martial arts has been a major benefit in keeping the attitude that age is just a number. John Sczomak ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com --__--__-- Message: 8 Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 19:20:13 -0500 From: "Sheree Goldstein" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: Training over age 50 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I started studying TKD at age 46, and received my 3rd dan (and became Senior Instructor) this past June at 51. I had studied Isshinryu Karate for a total of six years from ages 24 to 41 (stopped during pregnancies and while kids very small), so when I started TKD (I insisted on starting as a white belt), I was able to assist the instructor almost immediately. My biggest challenge is the fact that I have asthma. I probably had it when I studied karate, but never understood why I couldn't fight as long as I thought I should be able to. Add to that a less than optimal allergist who would tell me that it was just my allergies, and there was nothing he could do. So, unfortunately, there are times during class that I have to stop what I'm doing and take a hit of my inhaler, but I never let it stop me. It rarely bothers me while I'm teaching, just when taking class, and then it's related to crazy factors like humidity. But when I get a "cold", sometimes it's really bad asthma and I can't always tell the difference, so I try not to train those days, or I train at a lower intensity. I've survived knee surgery caused by sparring with a 10-year old (now I wear both shin guards AND knee pads when/if I spar), which I pigheadedly (is that a word) put off until after my 1st dan test, and then broke my wrist this past December holding a rebreakable board (small bones - I'm not allowed to hold anymore says both doc and physical therapist). But the good news is that I was so rock steady... if I hadn't been, I might have been knocked on my butt and been none the worse for wear. Oh well. It took perseverance to do staff poomsae during my 3rd dan test. I'm proud to add my name to the DD 50+ community! Sheree Goldstein 3rd dan, Sr. Instructor United Martial Arts Centers Harriman, NY --__--__-- Message: 9 From: cannon.jeff@comcast.net To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] Re:Curious, How many of us are over 50 training Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:50:36 +0000 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I think I will stop complaing about how stiff I am, how much the knee hurts, how tight those @#$% hamstrings are, etc. All of you "executive division" gentlemen (and ladies), are truly inspirational... Jeff Cannon (Cho Dan at 53) Tang Soo!! -------------- Original message -------------- From: Kat Kelly > Master Richard A Hodder 8th Dahn TKD > > Just barley over 50 years in age, training for more then 40 of those years > still training and teaching even after 17 surgeries > > I am sure this leaves little room for anyone to come up with any GOOD excuses :) > > Colorado Kat Kelly > _______________________________________________ > The_Dojang mailing list, 2,200 members > The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net > Copyright 1994-2007: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource > Standard disclaimers apply > Subscribe or Unsubscribe: http://the-dojang.net --__--__-- Message: 10 Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] Re:Curious, How many of us are over 50 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 17:16:15 -0800 (PST) From: rterry@idiom.com (Ray) Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > I think I will stop complaing about how stiff I am, how much the knee > hurts, how tight those @#$% hamstrings are, etc. Might as well... it only gets worse. :) Ray "56 next month" Terry rterry@idiom.com --__--__-- Message: 11 Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 17:23:43 -0800 (PST) From: steven riggs Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] Re: Training over age 50 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Mrs. Goldstein; I am not easily impressed in this day and age of awe inspiring accounts of great daring and accomplishments but you have done it for me. (curious with all this heated discussion about titles do you use the title Kyo Sa Nim or do your students refer to you in that manner as a "certified instructor" whose rank is 1st to 3rd dan.?) I too have asthma and when I was first in Tang Soo Do 34 years ago it posed a great challenge to me and often caused me much discouragement. Frequently I went home after a sparring session and wondered how much better I could be if I could breath like a normal person. The average person does not understand the experience you and I have had of feeling like we were trying to suck our air through a pillow pressed over our face. Your Dr was certainly no prize and I would be out hunting for a better and more compassionate one who had better experience working with athletes. That is what you are and you needed to be treated as such. Olympic class, World class, National level athletes often overcome hurdles such as these with the aid of competent physicians. I have had good physicians (it can take a lot of frustrated looking to locate one) who truly made a difference in my life. I am currently struggling with a physical problem somewhat related to being 53. Just reading your story makes me want to hit a hard workout on Sat morning at 10. I had my big toe operated on today so I guess that will wait a few days. lol...... You hang in there and continue to be an inspiration to young and old alike. S.C. Riggs Sheree Goldstein wrote: I started studying TKD at age 46, and received my 3rd dan (and became Senior Instructor) this past June at 51. I had studied Isshinryu Karate for a total of six years from ages 24 to 41 (stopped during pregnancies and while kids very small), so when I started TKD (I insisted on starting as a white belt), I was able to assist the instructor almost immediately. My biggest challenge is the fact that I have asthma. I probably had it when I studied karate, but never understood why I couldn't fight as long as I thought I should be able to. Add to that a less than optimal allergist who would tell me that it was just my allergies, and there was nothing he could do. So, unfortunately, there are times during class that I have to stop what I'm doing and take a hit of my inhaler, but I never let it stop me. It rarely bothers me while I'm teaching, just when taking class, and then it's related to crazy factors like humidity. But when I get a "cold", sometimes it's really bad asthma and I can't always tell the difference, so I try not to train those days, or I train at a lower intensity. I've survived knee surgery caused by sparring with a 10-year old (now I wear both shin guards AND knee pads when/if I spar), which I pigheadedly (is that a word) put off until after my 1st dan test, and then broke my wrist this past December holding a rebreakable board (small bones - I'm not allowed to hold anymore says both doc and physical therapist). But the good news is that I was so rock steady... if I hadn't been, I might have been knocked on my butt and been none the worse for wear. Oh well. It took perseverance to do staff poomsae during my 3rd dan test. I'm proud to add my name to the DD 50+ community! Sheree Goldstein 3rd dan, Sr. Instructor United Martial Arts Centers Harriman, NY _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list, 2,200 members The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net Copyright 1994-2007: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply Subscribe or Unsubscribe: http://the-dojang.net Sensei Steven Riggs Master Instructor American Defensive Arts Master of Philosophy in Martial Science stevencriggs@yahoo.com www.americandefensivearts.org 828-322-6904 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com --__--__-- Message: 12 From: cannon.jeff@comcast.net To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] Re:Curious, How many of us are over 50 Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:11:48 +0000 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Another follow up question to the "training over 50" discussion. What percentage of the over 50 crowd derives their living from the Martial Arts? Don't think I am critical or questioning motives. If anything I am envious. I would love to teach martial arts as a career, but I'm afraid my family has become quite accustomed to my current level of compensation as a computer professional. And besides, I get to "teach" in some small capacity without compensation. Depending on how many "real" instructors are available, I can go from actually teaching cirriculum, to live practice target. :-) At our school, all of the over 50 crowd are students, not compensated staff. (We do have one recently promoted Sa Bom who is 53). He teaches on a regular basis without monetary compensation. (His "real" job is high school science teacher). Tang Soo!! Jeff -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: rterry@idiom.com (Ray) > > I think I will stop complaing about how stiff I am, how much the knee > > hurts, how tight those @#$% hamstrings are, etc. > > Might as well... it only gets worse. :) > > Ray "56 next month" Terry > rterry@idiom.com > _______________________________________________ > The_Dojang mailing list, 2,200 members > The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net > Copyright 1994-2007: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource > Standard disclaimers apply > Subscribe or Unsubscribe: http://the-dojang.net --__--__-- Message: 13 From: "Donald" To: "dojang_digest" Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:13:01 -0500 Subject: [The_Dojang] Training over 50 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Hello Folks, I began TKD at age 48, within 8 months after having both hip joints replaced and having 4 vertebrae fused 'with instrumentation', ie steel rods inserted. TKD has given me flexibility I would have never had otherwise, and I am grateful to my teachers and GM Yun, Duk An for their patience over the years. Both hip joints were replaced again in 2001. Have reached sam Dan, and am still training at age 60. Never could kick head-high, but as GM West has pointed out, in Vietnam, they didn't use high kicks anyway. Besides, if one strikes hard enough low or middle section, then the head comes down to where it CAN be kicked , so I never felt handicapped by lack of a high kick except in a tournament setting. As long as I can tie on a belt, I'll keep training. pil seung, Don Ross [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/gif which had a name of Emoticon1.gif] --__--__-- _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang Subscribe or Unsubscribe: http://the-dojang.net Old digest issues @ ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com/pub/the_dojang Copyright 1994-2007: Ray Terry and http://MartialArtsResource.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember September 11. End of The_Dojang Digest