Category: Aging

Celebrating our older martial artists

30/10/2018

DBN Margaret from Kuk Sool Won™ of Onewhero

At our martial arts school we are privileged to teach students from aged 5 to 75. It’s extremely rewarding to see the development and growth our youngest students as they learn the fundamentals of our martial art. It is exciting to know that they have decades of life ahead of them and that the guidance and training they receive while at our school may positively influence their lives in some way.

It is equally rewarding though to work with older students. Our oldest student, Dahn Boh Nim Margaret, joined our school three years ago with her granddaughter. She was 72 when she started her martial arts training. Both are now well on their way to achieving their black belt. Working with DBN Margaret constantly reminds me of the importance of embracing and celebrating the experience and contribution older people bring to all aspects of society.

There is an uncomfortable reality in our society. Older people can face discrimination because of their age, although it is often subtle. The elderly can be seen as a burden on younger taxpayers, due to the health and pension costs that old age and retirement bring. Their views and experience can be dismissed as lacking in relevance to the younger population. Social isolation and elder abuse are all too frequent realities. Current research indicates that about half of older New Zealanders experience some level of loneliness, and 8-9% feel lonely all or most of the time. Elder abuse is also prevalent. Around 10% of people aged over 65 will experience some form of elder abuse. These statistics are not unique to New Zealand. They represent a global phenomenon.

In the martial arts world, we often focus on physical prowess and athletic ability, which are associated with youth. However, it is important to also embrace and celebrate our older martial artists. There are many reasons for this.

They have a wealth of life experience. If we are prepared to listen, they have much wisdom to share.
They are generous with their time. Volunteers are typically seniors and martial arts clubs rely on students volunteering their time for activities like fundraising and working bees.
They provide emotional support and friendship to others. We all go through tough times when we need support from those around us. Older students know how hard life can be and are a great source of compassion and guidance.
They are inspirational. Despite physical limitations and pain, they are dedicated to their training and role model tenacity. They don’t give up, are patient, and show us how age does not need to be a barrier to learning and personal development.

I am by no means old, but at 50 I am aware that the golden years of old age are not that far away. When I watch DBN Margaret training I am inspired. I hope that in 25 years time I am as physically fit and committed to my training as she is now. She reminds me to never give up, to always strive to learn more, to physically challenge myself, and to be humble while I am doing it. Every martial arts school can benefit from older students like DBN Margaret.

JKN Jane Hurst
First degree black belt and school owner
Kuk Sool Won™ of Onewhero

Note: Dahn Boh Nim or DBN is black-brown belt rank in Kuk Sool Won™.

Copyright © 2018. Kuk Sool Won™ of Onewhero. All Rights Reserved.

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Five reasons martial arts training gets better as we age

7/8/2018

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JKN Jane Hurst and SBN Caroline Hurst

I recently turned 50, a significant milestone in anyone’s life. For many people, this is a time of reflection. We think about our past and what we have learned from it, as well as reflect on what the future may offer. As a black belt, instructor and school owner in the traditional Korean martial art of Kuk Sool Won™, I have been reflecting on the central role martial arts occupies in my life. What does it mean to me as I age and how do I see my future as a martial artist?

My passion and commitment to Kuk Sool Won™ continues to grow as I enter my 50s. There are many reasons for this. Understanding what they are keep me motivated, particularly when I am having a bad day or when I want or need to lift my energy levels.

Here are the top five reasons why I am passionate about Kuk Sool Won™ at age 50 and why training gets better with age.

Focusing on respect: Kuk Sool Won™ is a traditional martial art, which is based in fundamental human values, like respect. This includes respect not only for others, but also for ourselves. In a world where many people feel free to abuse each other online, spread hateful messages, and turn a blind eye to suffering, it is deeply poignant to be part of a respectful environment. It connects us with each other at a fundamental human level and reminds us of our own humanity. With respect comes tolerance and compassion. These are values which make us kinder and more caring people. The fundamental value of respect grounds me as a person in what truly matters in my life, particularly as I get older, namely the importance of my relationships with other people.
Making a difference: My position as a school owner and instructor enables me to make a positive difference to the lives of many people, such as the anxious five year old, or the teenager who is being bullied, or the under confident adult. By teaching them martial arts in a respectful environment, I am able to make a very real and important difference to how they perceive themselves and interact with the world around them. Every student has something to learn, whether it is developing the physical skills of self-defence or personal growth in areas such as confidence and self-belief. The influence does not end there though. By making a difference to a student, that ripples through to their relationships with other people. It is this ability to positively influence the lives of our students (and beyond) that motivates me to teach. It is extremely rewarding knowing that I can use my wealth of life experience to help others.
Keeping me young: As I age, my body is physically changing. For example, I carry old injuries which limit some training activities. However, as someone who came to martial arts later in life, I am finding that even though I have hit 50, I am still getting stronger and my flexibility continues to improve. Physically, Kuk Sool Won™ is helping to keep my body young and healthy. It is also keeping my mind young. There is an extensive syllabus to be learn and concepts and philosophies to understand. The physical and mental learning never ends. Martial arts training without question helps to keep my mind and body young.
Being mindful: Martial arts teaching and training is a very mindful experience for me. It helps me to stay focused in each present moment, without judging myself harshly. This is important for my physical and mental wellbeing. It increases my enjoyment and reduces my levels of stress and anxiety in all aspects of my life, not just while I am training or teaching martial arts. It also gets me out of my head and more connected with my body. As someone who writes for a living, this is refreshing.
Psychological freedom: At age 50 I have probably already lived more than half of my life. Of those years that are left, some may not be good years physically and mentally, as my body and mind will at some stage begin to deteriorate in old age. Instead of dwelling on this potentially depressing reality, martial arts focuses my mind on all of the things that I can do. I am no longer worried about whether I can kick as high or as well as the young students or get as low in my stances. I am liberated from the expectations people have of martial artists as young, dynamic, and gifted athletes. I no longer feel the need to compare myself to others. Instead, I am secure in the knowledge that I am doing something tremendously beneficial for me. This is a very powerful place to be psychologically and it enables me to really enjoy and value each moment of my life and the opportunities that are presented to me. There is a freedom that comes with this and it is life-enhancing.

We all have our reasons for training in martial arts. I encourage you to take the time to reflect on what they are for you. This will help to motivate you during the tough training days, as well as provide you with greater clarity of the many benefits your training brings to your life. For older martial artists, you may well find that like me, your training is getting better and more enjoyable as you age.

JKN Jane Hurst
First degree black belt and school owner
Kuk Sool Won™ of Onewhero

Copyright © 2018. Kuk Sool Won™ of Onewhero. All Rights Reserved.

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How martial art practice can slow the aging process

22/10/2017

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Perhaps you've thought about taking up a martial art, but feel you’re not fit, young or healthy enough to fight others? You may not want to go head to head with a large, muscly young man to win your belts. However, not all martial arts are about fighting, especially those that base their principles on self-defence. Some welcome all ages, whatever your ability, as long as you have no serious health issues.

The benefit of taking up a martial art later in life, is that you can slow the ageing process, some even say you can even reverse aspects of it. You also get to have lots of fun and do things you never thought possible. I started Kuk Sool Won™ in my 30's and still enjoy teaching and training now I'm in my 50’s. Yes, there are some things I cannot do, but there are many more things I can do I’m also now a 4th degree black belt, something I never thought I would ever achieve.

It is said that martial art training slows the ageing process, I think there are a few extra benefits some of which I have described below:

   •   Emotional Well-being: There is a fair amount of research outlining the benefits of endorphins on the body and mind. People who have fun, challenge themselves and keep active, always feel better. They lead healthier lives and have a greater sense of achievement. When you find a friendly martial art school, you may find yourself having lots of fun and the benefits can be long lasting.
   •   Physical Strength: In Kuk Sool we focus on body posture or stances, practice self-defence techniques and body conditioning movements know as hyung or forms and learn how to fall safely. This activates a variety of muscle groups around the body, even some you never thought you had, making everyone stronger over time. Muscle burns more fat, and can help to lower cholesterol levels. Everyone benefits from the strength and cardio training for better health and fitness and women can reduce the risks of osteoporosis in older age.
   •   Mental Growth: Taking up any new hobby stimulates the mind. We know doing crosswords and Sudoku slows memory loss in older age. Challenging yourself by taking up a new sport can help maintain or even build mental agility. A martial art with an extensive amount of material to learn, can be the best thing for improving that fading memory that happens as we get older.
   •   Spiritual Healing: Through the practice of meditation and body conditioning movements, known in Kuk Sool as hyung, the mind can be calmed and stilled. The stilling of the mind is difficult in our very busy lives. By practicing martial arts, we can focus on being present whilst meditating and still our minds in the movements we learn. Self-defence martial arts are really good at creating a life that is much calmer, less stressed and freer to make those important decisions.

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Celebrating our older martial artists

Five reasons martial arts training gets better as we age

How martial art practice can slow the aging process

Caroline and Jane Hurst

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