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Les Bubka
Les Bubka's picture
Adapting karate

I've been asked by Martial Arts Travel & Training to write something about my approach to teaching karate, below you can read my thoughts.

https://smabloggers.com/2019/06/03/adapting-karate/

Kind regards

Les

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Nice article Les! Karate has much to offer a wide range of people. Thanks for sharing!

All the best,

Iain

Les Bubka
Les Bubka's picture

Thank you Iain, glad you liked it.

Kind regards

Bob Davis
Bob Davis's picture

Just a cut'n'paste from FB but I still work on the basis if something is worth saying, it's worth saying twice :-) I think many people miss the opportunity because they think of it as either a kids activity or sport (there are a lot of benefits in both camps but they are not the only option by a long way).

I speak from first hand knowledge on how it is possible to adapt your training to suit your circumstances being a) over 60, b) overweight, and c) diagnosed with severe heart failure about 18 months ago.

If anything, training in practical (or "pragmatic") karate is about the most adaptable form of physical/mental activity I've found and massive progress can be made following that path, but entirely at your own pace and ability.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

One of the great strengths of karate – which few other martial arts can also profess to have – is the fact its many facets allow it to adapt to the individual and adapt with us as we age and change.

The karate I do now is not the same karate I did as a child, a teenager or a twenty something. It also won’t be the same karate that I do when I’m in my 70s and 80s either. My karate has also changed for a time when I’ve had injuries or ill health i.e. when I dislocated my knee, I kept training, but in a different way.

There are other martial arts that you can do for a time, or that address the needs of a specific time in your life, but that can’t change with you as fluidly. One wonders how many of today’s MMA practitioners will be training MMA in their 70s. Tai Chi has never really appealed to children or young adults in meaningful numbers. Karate has something for everyone though. It is very strong in this area and it can truly be a lifelong pursuit. It’s also something I think we karateka do not emphasise enough.

All the best,

Iain