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Martial Arts workouts for men over 40 should have another name: Senior Do, Tae Kwon Old, Kung Old Fool, or Health Care-a-te. When asked in the locker room about my condition, I quip that I am aging faster than I can get in shape. I discovered taekwondo in my forties. A series of seemingly random circumstances took me to the school of the Grandmaster who would become my teacher, Byung Min Kim. The first event occurred while I was having dinner with an old friend. He revealed that he had studied martial arts since he was a boy and had earned a black belt in tae kwon do. My son was young at the time, and I considered the benefit for him of studying some form of martial arts. Finally, I met the Master of my future school. I work as a retail real estate broker, and happened to offer a store to Grandmaster Kim. I didn't close that sale, but fortunately he sold me on tae kwon do. The expectations of an adult male, no matter how old, when they begin martial arts instruction is the same as a child's. You wistfully remember David Caradine, James Bond, Bruce Lee or Napoleon Solo in any of the popular movies and television shows of the 1950's and 60's. I wanted to be lethal...and good looking! Shortly after beginning to this new martial arts exercise, I went to my doctor with what I was sure was an appendicitis attack. He assured me that I was just sore, from doing sit ups. I was out of shape. I had exercised on a regular basis when when I was younger, but after getting married and having kids, I had pushed those regular workouts aside. In my forties now, I was out of breath. I had trouble breathing during recreational volleyball or tennis and I didn't seem to have the stamina to go dancing with my bride. I made a decision; it was time for something fresh. That week, I began to study tae kwon do and piano (I know, middle age is really confusing). For me, martial arts has been a seed planted in my body. If it has the right surroundings, it can root and grow. If you study martial arts you understand what I mean. If martial arts are new to you, believe me, changes you haven't even considered are coming. And if you are beginning this journey later if life, like I have, I give you this to remember: Maturity = (patience + perseverance)-(flexibility + hair). Work for the long run is the best advice I can give you. Listen to the needs of your body, not just your mind. I have witnessed many adults in class with the mindset of a 21 year old. They work too hard, push too far in order to get what used to be simple. Teachers will work to motivate everyone in class no matter the age or skill level. Though your head will say, "you can do this" your body will need more time to get there. In the short run, overreaching leads to injuries and those injuries cause you to want to quit, fulfilling the myth that this sport is only for the young. Nonsense! You cannot comprehend the journey with a single step; you can only comprehend a single step of the journey, so stick with it. The next time an instructor pushes you too hard, remember that you are an adult. Age has its privilege. A great master will understand your limits and push you accordingly, that is where trust is built. Short of that; listen to your inner master. I know I'm too old for Rock-n-roll, but I'm definitely too young to give it up.
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Before you decide if your too old for martial arts, see Kalynn Amadio's great martial arts website Taekwondo-Network and learn more regarding mens workouts in tae kwon do when you're over 40. Keep in mind that, age is only a number.
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