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| Google photo - Osoto-gari, in tournament |
Rethinking my goals and methods for my martial arts pursuits. I've spent 48 years training in, competing in, and teaching martial arts, including Judo, Aiki Jujutsu, Aikido, and T'ai Chi Ch'uan (a half a dozen years of which, I was not very committed and those years were pretty much wasted). But I've been pretty dedicated for the rest of that time. Arguably, that dedication cost me at least a couple of relationships, perhaps more (not that I'm complaining about that). I've felt that I was called to serve as an instructor, and served in that capacity for many years.
A couple of years ago, I decided that it was time to retire. But I didn't want to lose my proficiency in the arts to which I've dedicated so much time and energy. So, when I relocated as part of my retirement, I found a good dojo that would allow me to continue working out, and to maintain my proficiency. The instructor is very good, and he allows me to work out with his classes and students. And I'm grateful to him for that courtesy.
The problem I'm having is that I am unable to practice what I've spent so many years acquiring (martially) for various reasons, including that I'm in a different stage of my life than is he or any of his students. It is not my intention or desire to perform a half hour or forty minutes of calisthenics and stretches prior to practicing my movements, like twenty and thirty year-olds. I need a different emphasis for my personal training. And I'm afraid I'm not going to get it here. Options are, to just quit something that I've invested forty-eight years into, or what? I don't even know... Not sure what to do. I'm going to try changing my schedule, going to class after the first hour to start out fresh, not so exhausted from calisthenics and stretches that I don't have enough energy to practice my movements.
One of my previous students was in his mid eighties, and I learned very quickly that I had to work him out differently than I would anyone substantially younger. I'm seeing that the workouts that I designed for him are more like what I need for myself now. I guess I need to find others of my age and experience to work out with. Unfortunately, I've not met any in that category since moving here. The couple of older ones that I have met (still much younger than I) are committed to “tradition,” and the type of workouts that younger participants relish. I'll look harder, what else can I do? But at this moment, I'm not holding my breath...
Courageous, untroubled, mocking and violent-that is what Wisdom wants us to be. Wisdom is a woman, and loves only a warrior. --Friedrich Nietzsche
At bottom every man knows well enough that he is a unique being, only once on this earth; and by no extraordinary chance will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is, ever be put together a second time. --Friedrich Nietzsche
Since changing my workout schedule and timing, it has been working better for me and my general health.
