Item #9 of the Kettle List is to ‘Learn a Martial Art’. This was added to the list in December 2016, when I was building up my original 50 tasks. This section on the list stayed blank until I added some vague notes suggesting I ‘pick something Japanese, like Kendo, Jujitsu or karate’ .
I must have added this as part of the ‘doing fitness’ segment of the Kettle List, as it does fall between #8 Get Flexible and #10 ‘Run!
During a New Year review of the List, I will admit that ‘Marital Art’ was not even a consideration, until my eldest contacted me, asking if I had seen that there was a local women’s only Karate class, that offered a free first lesson. We decided to try it out.
So let’s not beat about the bush – look at me in this slightly tweaked picture. I am now an orange belt!
However, it is not much of a post if I just tell you how great I am (until someone hits me, obviously! I will certainly cry if I ever get punched!). So here are some reasons why even if you are as old and unfit as I am, you should definitely give Karate a try.
3 reasons women should try karate
You might think karate is just for kids or action movie stars, but trust me, there’s a whole world of benefits waiting for you on the dojo floor. (Or community centre floor, you can do karate pretty much anywhere!) Even as a – slightly- older woman, I have found the perfect group for me, and I am really enjoying my lessons.
As you can see from the photo above, I have already invested in a ‘gi’ and have passed my first grading. That’s why I have an orange belt now, instead of the white belt I started with.
In fact, I am enjoying it so much, I thought it only fair to share how great it is with these three awesome reasons why karate could be your new favourite thing:
Karate improves your health and fitness
I may have survived 2 Tough Mudders – just about!- but I am under no illusions that I am actually fit. There are a few fitness tasks on the Kettle List though, and I am hoping to be a bit more spry by the time I hit 50. This is why karate was such a good exercise to choose.
Apart from the benefits to your cardiovascular health, it will also help you improve your flexibility and strength. The best bit is that you don’t have to be super fit to get started. If you are willing to put the work in, it can be a useful part of your fitness strategy.
Stress relief
Karate encourages you to breathe correctly, focus your attention and make purposeful and thought-out movements. All of these skills don’t just make you better at fighting, they can be an effective form of stress relief.
The sense of calm and peace that comes from working through the kata makes it a great form of meditation and exercise.
Conversely, if you are feeling angry, there is always the option to punch away your frustration – against pads, of course!
Confidence boosting
Each week I feel like I am getting that little bit better at the skills we practice. I can bend a little bit further, punch a little harder, and even my kiai is getting a little louder.
It has led to quite the surge in confidence. Not only will I potentially be better at defending myself, but I now realise that if I give something a try, I can improve and get better at it.
Meeting up with others for exercise is also a great way to find people who will encourage and support you. While you can practise karate alone, being in a group environment, where you are all working together, can really boost your self-esteem as you see both yourself and others progress.
Over to you
Have you found the perfect exercise for you yet? How do you feel you are benefiting from keeping fit?
Is there a way you can take it to a new level?
Have a search online for local clubs and groups, particularly if they are offering a free taster lesson, and see if karate might become your new favourite exercise.
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