I realised something in my last post didn't make any sense i.e. "he was a bit older than he was". Sorry about that folks! I can't edit it. Meant to say "he was a bit older than they were."

Anyway....

I attended a Shodokan Aikido squad session once. They were trying to identifiy Aikido-ka to put forward for a large competition. It was very tough and very demanding, lots of randori.

That said, it was an exceptionally tough session. Normal Aikido classes were a decent workout but normal Judo classes left me dripping with sweat and barely able to stand up.

What were their ages?

I'm guessing: mid to late thirties

In my class we are always trying to keep our membership at a good level. When it gets low you see wide gaps in the ages of our students. Most are thirty and over, some are over 40. Then there is me....the 51 yr old green belt. This is a motivation for me.we do have some youngsters(17 to 21) who serve as a push for me to keep on keeping on.
We just keep pushing each other. Never give an inch, or complain about our ailments.
When I first started this class(about 3 yrs ago) I was moaning and groaning all the time during the workout. My sensei's wife (dai-sempai) called me on this a few times and now I try to man-up. It was one of the best things that could have happened to me and my workouts. I really like the attitude of Shihan Roseberry the leader of our organization when he states:

THE ANSWERS ARE ON THE FLOOR.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned from my sensei and his wife is to do the work and be humble. It has been a great way to forget my aches and pains and push myself to get as much out of these old bones as possible.


NEVER GIVE UP,NEVER GIVE AN INCH. KEEP FIGHTING TILL THE END

REGARDS, MARK

I hear you, Mark.
I'm a 45 year old white belt, and my motivation comes from looking at people my age, seeing how out of shape they are, and listening to them groan when they get out of a chair.

Im pushing 60, one of my instructors who is still alive, is pushing 88

That's awesome.

That's cool!!! If I new how much fun I was missing I would never took my 13 yr hiatus from the arts. There's no stopping me now!!

keep on keeping on!!

Mark

The nice thing is that you can always come back into it

Thank you suggest, but good things to come.