How old were you when you started MARTIAL ARTS???

Question

I'm a 15 year old girl and was wondering about taking up Martial Arts. I'm a little nervous about it though. So I was wondering how old everyone was when they started and what kind of martial arts you did.

Plus if you have any advice about it that'd be great!!! : )

Answer 1

Martial arts doesn't have an age limit.  People can start at a very young age, and in fact, the Shao Lin monks in China usually don't take in students over a certain age.  Of course I know that you're probably not thinking of moving to China and begging for a position in the Shao Lin temple, but just for an example, the training for their students usually starts at around age three.  Of course, their training is very dedicated and sometimes brutal, but like I said, it was only an example.  

As for me, I started martial arts (Kuen po Karate (or just Kenpo, Kuen po, or Kempo)) when I was...eleven years old, and Tai Chi Chuan at age thirteen after I had quit my lessons in Kenpo for obvious reasons(at least to me)  You have nothing to worry about agewise, but here's some pointers if you continue to think about Martial arts.

*Remember the REASON.  Is this a spiritual "journey", a physical workout that you want?  Something to calm your mind?  Something just to help you lose weight or trim fat?  Is it a sport to you, or a challenge, or a way to improve yourself in everything you do?  What is it you want to gain from this?  If you don't know why, choosing a style won't be easy.

*Know what you expect, the second step.  Depending on why you want to choose a certain style or training program or whatever you'll be doing, you need to know what you expect from whoever/whatever is training you.  Do you want individual training, or individual+group training?  Do you want a certain style?  Do you want something from a certain country or place?  What is it that you expect from what you'll be doing?

*Find a good place/teacher.  A good teacher, in my opinion, shouldn't charge a lot (not because I'm cheap, but to know THEIR intentions.  A place that charged more is often one of those places that don't give a darn how good you are going to get and only want your money.  These are the places that give black belts to five-year-olds and charge 100 dollars or more for a rank-advancement test).  In my opinion, the better teachers won't try to draw you in by claiming to have been taught by Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan or Jet Li.  Deffinetly a turn-off for me, because...well, it's obviously not true, and a scam if I've ever seen one.  Find someone you'll be comfortable around, but won't try to rip you off.

*Find the right style for you.  Personally, I love Kung Fu because there is so much IN the style of Kung Fu.  Some people like internal styles that literally strengthen the internal organs and on a level, literally give you...superpowers...yes, it sounds wierd...You don't have to beleive me.  Some people, specifically larger people, like something to their advantage, something with power, strength, agression.  Others like something that uses someone else's power against them.  Take a while, decide what you want, and maybe google about different styles and where they're taught, or ask another question on yahoo about reccomended styles!  There's thousands out there, so take your pick and try a few out before deciding!  

I hope you have fun with your martial art if you choose to continue on this idea, and I hope you do well and feel...fulfilled.  XP  

Answer 2

I'm twelve, and I've just started Tae Kwon Do. My sister is 15 and has also recently taken up Tae Kwon Do as well as Chuan Fa. Though you may feel a little foolish at first, being older than others but not as good, don't worry, you'll get over it.

Answer 3

I was 41.

My daughter started Aikido when she was 11.  That was two years ago, she is 4th kyu now in the adults class.  She's 5'2" and 120 lbs, and is known across the country as "That scary little girl from Portland."

Answer 4

I first started with shotokan karate when I was 6. When I was 10, I quit. A while after that, I joined an ITF style taekwondo dojang, and that's where I've been ever since.

You're never too old to start training in martial arts, but the sooner you start, the better. If it's what you want to do, just go for it and you won't regret it. There's no need to be nervous. When you join a good school, most of the people are polite and friendly, and within a couple of months, you'll be "one of the gang".

As for looking for somewhere to train, first, you should look for what's available in your area. Just check the phone book and the internet and maybe look for adverts around your local sports centre. Then try the classes that interest you the most. A lot of instructors will give you a free class so you can see whether you want to continue or not. In addition to that, you could also do some research on martial arts styles on the internet, so you can find out what each style involves and choose something that's going to keep you interested in the long term.

Be careful of McDojos. To avoid them, just stay away from places that charge extortionate amounts of money for gradings and lessons or have young children running around with blackbelts on. You could check out www.bullshido.net which has some good reviews on dojos.

Good Luck! =)

Answer 5

i was four when i first started studying karate, i was lucky enouph to start early so that by the time i became 17, which is the age i am now, i already was familiar with alot of the deeper meanings, concepts and more importatnly the applications behind my art, so much so that im a payed teacher at my dojo, that bein said u dont need to start early, a friend of mine has studyed only 3 years and started when he was 29, he is one of my biggest threats at tournements now because of how hard he trained how how much he dedicated himself, and thats all there is too it, if u train hard, dedicate urself and keep an open mind then your gonna do fine,

also i lil sumtin to no when ur picking ur art, the humane bodies been the same forever, its moved the same way and registerd pain the same way forever, so dont get suckerd into ppl trying to tell u there art is best for wat ever reason because when u get to an advanced level ur gonna see simmilarites between ur style and jus about every other one, that being said, some arts are gonna be more for sport such as tkd, not that its bad was jus developed in a diff time for a diff need than sumthing such as jiu-jitsu, u jus gota ask urself if ur gonna be doing it because u want to compete or because u want to be able to handle urself in the street, if ur worried about being jumped in the street then i would say go for karate becaue its got very dangerious and basic selfdefense, everything from eye gouging to groin strikes, or any other art pre-world war 2 because after ww2 is wen many sport arts were developed

Answer 6

Im 16 now, I started wrestling at age 10 and then went to BJJ, then to Muay Thai at JG academy.

Answer 7

Well my first martial art was Tae Kwon Do (like tons of other people haha) and I was 12 when I started.

As far as age goes, don't worry about it at all. People start martial arts at all different kinds of ages. I'm sure you're nervous about walking into a class and being shown up by someone younger than you. Don't let that bother you! Remember that everyone, yes everyone, was a beginner at some point. Even the black belts and masters at one time struggled with all the little things that you'll be learning, so don't get discouraged by any of that.

If you're eager to train and learn, it doesn't really matter when you start.

Martial arts can be very rewarding so I hope you find a martial art that you are comfortable with and can have fun learning. Good luck!

Answer 8

I was 7 when I started Tae Kwon Do.It was a good choise for young boy (flexibility, balance etc). I got a good base from TKD (I did it about 7-8 years).

Then I had a break for one year. After that I started Jiu-jitsu and did it 4 years. After that I ended up practising Krav Maga for about an year.

I had a year break again and went in Canada and studied there for an year and started Kickboxing. After returning my home country I started Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

My life story :)

But its good to start with something that gives you a good basics like taekwondo did for me.And I wish that I had started martial arts even younger.

Answer 9

I was 19 and in college, but over the years, I've met people who started at all different ages; my Judo teacher accepts students as young as 4, and I've even seen kids that young at competitions

as a youngster, and a female, make sure wherever you train, the teacher is experienced, and that you always feel comfortable and safe; guys can be knuckleheads; don't take it personally

Answer 10

9, my advise is don't get nervous, aint as bad as people say, its only as hard as the effort you put into it

Answer 11

Wrestling age 9.  Kung Fu age 18.  Submission grappling 22.

You can do it!  You are young, so try to find something that is relatively cheap.

Answer 12

I was 8 years old when I started Karate classes.

I loved them, but at first, like you, I was a bit nervous.  I didn't know what to expect and I didn't want to get hurt, etc.,...

However, after a few years, I knew what to expect and although I had been hurt a few times, it didn't bother me - I just shrugged it off.  Getting hit in the gut sucked, but it didn't compare to how my gut felt after doing 300 or so sit ups and leg lifts in a given class - my barometer for that kind of thing had changed.  If your gut feels like it just got punched all the time, it doesn't bother you so much when it actually does get punched so to speak.

By 16, I broke my hand in class and finished it non the less before going to the doctor.  Stupid perhaps, but there you go.

Now, I train Aikido and its really not all that different in that its a mental thing.  The physical stuff is quite easy compared to the mental challenge.

On the other hand, the mental challenge is very simple - the answer to just about any mental hesitation or concern (what if?  I can't do this...  I'll never be as good as so-and-so.) is to just keep going.  Very easy to understand but boy, the mind will do its best to convince you otherwise so the challenge really is to learn to tell your brain to shut up when it starts thinking like that.

It may sound crazy, but I think most people who have trained seriously for a while will agree with the general idea I'm getting at.

Just accept that you will probably stub your toe or get a bloody nose, feel sore awkward and nervous...  that's the name of the game and its part of your training - to learn how to deal with things that are telling you to quit and rather than be a paralyzed by them or acquiesce to them (namely fear and pain) to use them as valuable information and as tools.

Pain is your tool - its not your enemy or your master through it, you learn your current limits and are informed of when and how much those limits are changing.  It tells you the difference between sore and actually hurt.

Fear is a tool - its not your enemy or your master either as long as you learn to control it.

Failure is a tool - its not your enemy or master either, rather its one of the best teachers.

The key is to learn - you don't just dive in the deep end, you build to that so each challenge is a small step.  You don't have to punch through a brick on the first day.  By the time you are ready to do that, the idea won't be scary at all.... and that's why you will go through the brick - your mind won't be telling you you can't do it so you will do it.

Answer 13

when i started i was 8 but my sister was 11 and brother was 13. a lot of people start around 13-15. there is even adults that are like that start at like 40. i think you'd be fine. it really doesn't matter how old you are when you start.

Answer 14

I started when i was 8 in tae kwon doe, i stoped for  ashort period of time just training myself and doing what was taught to me on my own then i went on to kenpo, u can start at 15 no problem in my dojo im the youngest and im 16

Answer 15

8

Answer 16

I was 5 when I started Judo. Your age shouldn't be an issue.  

Answer 17

I was seven years old and my father taught me Krav Maga. He had just learned it and thought it was important for me and my sibling to know. Over the years, I have branched out and now know the basics for around five styles. Three of those five styles I continued on until I received my black belt.

Answer 18

     I was 39 when I started, my son 5.  You can start at any age as long as you have the attention span, patients, and willing to work at it.  As black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate, I can tell you it can get boring. Like any sport or art, you have to be willing to practice and do lot of basics.

      Before you join any school research what type of martial art you want to learn. There's teakowando ,karate, judo, kung-fu, mixed, hapkido, kempo, jujitsu, kendo, etc.  Then research schools; prices, locations, hoe long they've been open, if they are a credited with the any major organization, who their sensei is,and if you feel comfortable there.  If they are an Asian art they should be registered in the originating country.

    Remember, too have fun!!!

Answer 19

I was personally 18 when I started.  But 15 is absolutely fine.  

I have mucho advice to give about starting in martial arts, choosing a school, and much more.

Choosing the right martial art and the right school will be your two biggest decisions for your girl as they will have a significant impact on whether or not she will actually like it.  There is much to consider.

First you need to consider why you are considering martial arts...and ask:

Why are you considering starting martial arts? There are many reasons. From personal experience, I've found the top reasons for starting martial arts are:



Physical Fitness

Self-Defense

Psychological Benefits

Interest in martial arts culture

Sport competition

Recent martial arts popularity

It is very important to set your training goals so that your experience is beneficial for you. Not to mention, that reaching your goals in martial arts is an overwhelming feeling. I only wish that everyone in the world could experience this satisfaction.

Then you should choose the right martial arts style.  Go here for a list of styles and their descriptions:  http://www.socalmartialarts.com/types-of...

Other factors to consider are:

Location.

Schedule.

Price.

The instructor.

The school's atitude.

Other students.

Ratio of students to teacher.

Safety and cleanliness.

Make sure you don't just pick the right style, but the right school too.

I have written full length articles on all of this at my website if you are interested in reading more.

Hope this helps!

Answer 20

19, I did it for 2 years.

Then again at 36, still doing it.

Answer 21

I started, really, when I was fourteen.  Don't be nervous, it is a complete lie that you have to start when you're very small, or that most people do!

I took a few years of Tae Kwon Do when I was four, none of which I can remember.  Then I took a few more years of MMA/Karate when I was twelve, and that helped me a bit.

But, my real training started when I was fourteen, and found a Sensei that trained me privately in Escrima/kali stickfighting, western fencing, and stage combat (sword fighting for stage and film performance).  I trained exclusively with him for about a year, and then moved on to Monkey Kung Fu, which is an even more rich and rewarding experience.  

I'm a girl too, and it's great to know martial arts- for me, it's a part of my identity, and I love it.

Go around, and research and look at all sorts of styles and schools until you find one that works for you!  Also, email me  if you want to talk more about finding a school or style, I'd be glad to help you.

Good luck!

Answer 22

I was 28.

Then I had an accident, and had to quit because for 10 years I had a kilo of surgical steel where my ankle used to be.

I started again when I was 45.

I've practiced:

Taekwon-Do,

Shotokan Karate,

Tai Chi,

Several stick methods,

Bartitsu,

Japanese Jujitsu.