By Sempai Peter Rimkevicus
The 23rd of February, 1999 was the day I started my journey as a Karate student, something I’d always wanted to do. Fortunately for me a Tai Shi Kai pamphlet was delivered to my address a couple of weeks prior and so I decided to go for a trial class.
Previously before starting Karate I’d played several sports and enjoyed them immensely. Twenty years of Aussie rules in winter and competition tennis in summer. A round of golf every now and then, regular work outs at my local gym and the occasional swim.
Starting at the age of 35 brought extremely hard challenges, which I would have to address if I wanted to continue. Questions about my commitment, fitness, time management and the mental aspect of it all. Was I up to it? Yet there was another side which also meant I could confront these tests head on. The life experience of having dealt with people and pressures in the work environment would help me go on.
One of the first things I noticed was that most of the junior class students were very young compared to me, so I adopted the theory of trying as hard as I could. I felt this would help others to see things are achievable no matter how old you are and maybe spur some on to find their goals. As I was fortunate in my life to have 2 great role models to base myself by. One being my father, who had a fantastic work ethic and a family orientated belief. The other was my father in law who lost both legs to diabetes and believed there was always someone worse off than him. My father always said you only get out as much as you put in.
Point 1: Never do things half hearted.
He would also say your family is your home. Always take care of it.
Point 2: If it’s your own family or your Karate family
or even your work family, never neglect the things that make it home to you.
My father in law would on regular hospital stays be put into rooms with younger
amputees. This was done as Bill would put his 2 prosthetic legs on in front
of his younger room mate and then walk out the door. How could an 80 year old
do it? Some may have asked.
Point 3: No challenge is unattainable no matter age or disability.
So these are my rules or points that I try to go by. These would be challenged
sooner than I thought.
The early years at Karate were pretty much injury free until I had to have my first knee operation. After it I had some serious doubts about going on as the pain was terrible, but after talking to Shihan at the time, he assured me we could structure training to minimize any pain concerns. This meant I would have to change a lot of the things I had done for so long in my life. Going to the gym 3 times a week, Karate 3 times a week along with walking my dogs and working frequently on week ends. Something had to change for me to remain injury free or least reduce the likelihood of sustaining one. My body was getting older yet I still thought I could do what I used to do when I was 25. I had to listen to what it was telling me. Naturally Karate training stayed, but as for the gym this was replaced with walking my dogs more and the odd swim. I would also on some Sunday’s go to the recovery pool to ease my soreness. Week end work was reduced
I realized I could push myself as far as was practical and in the same time encourage younger students to push themselves. It really worked as I feel the understanding between students became more like a family. Some competition in the vein of the quickest run or most push ups, all helped to lighten things up, but I can’t stress enough how working together really helps all students to improve. Old and young!
Now I realize the areas I must concentrate on whilst I continue my Karate training, as I have come to see the many benefits of training for the older student. An active mind is a healthy mind. Using your brain to develop new techniques, improving on old ones, changing your perception of long held beliefs or maybe seeing it through someone else’s point of view are some of the challenges faced. To help other students in understanding the peaceful way of Tai Shi Kai, watching them mature into adults and knowing that you have been a part of the end result gives great satisfaction. Travelling life’s road and imparting one’s own experiences to enlighten others is surely a wonderful way to help your fellow karate student.
Encouragement is so important for people to improve and older students should always aid younger ones in any area where their help is needed. Whether it’s kata or another karate technique, someone always has an easier way for someone to understand the process to achieve it correctly. Older students have time and knowledge on their side. Therefore let’s share it, to better our fellow students and just maybe they can help us by returning the favor.
Personally I’ve seen benefits in myself, ranging from increased awareness to better reflexes. Also I’m more at peace with myself, my fitness is quite good and my body is not as sore. My flexibility has improved and my stamina is well maintained by our continual training. Respect for myself, my seniors and my fellow students, is something not only older students should adhere to. To often today a lack of respect in society is prevalent.
The benefits I have gained through Tai Shi Kai not only help me at the Dojo but also in the work place and everyday life. From dealing with people to managing the workplace, a calm outlook is one of my greatest benefits. The ability to help has been fostered and promoted extensively throughout my time at Tai Shi Kai. This too can be adopted in other areas of your life.
The benefits to the bone structure are enormous for the older student, as osteoporosis and related degenerative issues come into play when no physical activity is undertaken. Therefore continual Dojo attendance ensures bone strength and a myriad of other plusses, such as better general health conditioning of the student.
The benefits for the older student far outweigh any doubts or misconceptions about Karate training. To be able to improve oneself in so many aspects of your life is just the greatest part of Tai Shi Kai and to meet so many different people from varied backgrounds, let alone personalities is so life educational. I am proud to say that Tai Shi Kai has become the 3rd influence on my life after my father and father in law. For me it has meant so much to travel the path that others before have and to appreciate the highs and lows. Always striving forward has been my goal, and for the older student I believe you never stop learning, so make way for more as self improvement has only just begun.