Female martial artists?

shadowfax_c11

I have been training in aikido for about 8.5 years or so. It took 6 years to test for shodan but that was delayed a year by some upheaval in organization politics. When I started I was 39 years old and 290 pounds. I have knee problems and asthma and had never done anything like martial arts in my life. I was scared to death the first time I walked into my dojo because I had no idea what to expect. Why is a long story. I was in massive pain for several days after every class. But I just kept on going. I actually passed up many younger and more fit individuals along my training journey and now I am the dojo's senior student and even teach classes from time to time. If I can do it pretty much anyone can.

It doesn't matter what the dojo looks like or where it is located. What really matters is the quality of the instruction. the linage of your school. Who was your teacher's teacher's teacher and so forth and is the instructor a good representative of his/her art.

In my dojo there are a lot of women. We only have one male blackbelt who teaches regularly. We often have all female classes which is pretty cool. I guess not many dojo's have that going on. More women should definitely be into martial arts.

desertcoyote19

HeliumIsNoble wrote: »

TKD here. Just got in from a class in fact. I originally took it up a while ago just to get fit and lose weight. One thing led to another, which is to say that I ended up joining MFP so I could lose weight more effectively for TKD.

That's me as well. That's is why I chose to start it up as an adult. Before I joined mfp, I played around with my weight and didn't ever get serious. Then I was invited to assist in a 2nd degree black belt test and that was my wake up. I joined here and buckled down on my calories and focused on my training and it melted off. I just finished my first class for the week. Was hot, but a good workout none the less.

02bridget

Tkd is actually what staryed my fitness journey. I was 41 and abt 230 lbs, never done an athletic thing in my life and watching my 9 year old son train. There were 2 particular ladies training who always looked like they were having fun which motivated me to get out of my box despite my fear that I'd only be able to do 3 sit ups. I love my school and instructor (also ATA). They encouraged me to start where I was rather than expect to be like someone who had been training a while. I lost 40 lbs the 1st year and began competing. I am now 2nd degree and looking to lose abt 15 more. Unfortunately i regained 20 after marrying my love (also an ATA man) but I've taken off 15 of that. Martial arts has pushed me toward growth, not only in fitness and achieving things I didn't believe possible, but it also reminds that chances are worth taking and it's far better to risk looking silly at times than to live in the box.

Rosemary7391

I would really like to learn aikido but I'm struggling to find a place that I can get to. I'm also not sure my general fitness is quite up to it yet - hoping to fix that by the time I move house or learn to drive, then we'll see

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AuthorNinja

A lot of responses on this thread, awesome! I'm a practitioner of Shotokan Karate, I've been in love with it since 2009. I love the sparring/fighting, the kata, and the camaraderie that my class has. I don't train as much now, my priorities have become running and strength training, but I have a punching bag I LOVE to kick!