Over the years I have been asked every version of this question from “Is it too late to learn martial arts at 20?” to “Am I too old to learn Kung Fu at 60?”
My Tai Kwon Do instructor was Korean and he had started training at about 4 years old and was a black by the time he was 10. That, he used to assure me, was when he really started to learn, having mastered all the basic techniques without needing to think about them. Not unlike a musician who has learned how to play all the scales and arpeggios on their instrument can really begin to develop their playing. One of my grandchildren started at our academy when she was only 3 and in years to come probably won’t even remember learning her basic skills just like she won’t remember learning to walk or use a spoon.
There is a saying, “the best time to plant a tree is 30 year ago, but the next best time is now”
That about sums it up. If you could go back in time start learning years ago, that would be ideal. You can’t, so the next best option is now. I started learning my first martial art when I was 11, but over the years I have learned several different styles and each time, I have started from the beginning. I’m not going to pretend that it isn’t easier to learn any martial art if you are already an expert in another. A good soccer player would pick up rugby faster than most people, a painter of water colours will certainly master oil painting quicker than a complete beginner. But you, whoever you are and however old you are also have transferable skills. Can you take a step? Can you push a door shut? Can you see and catch a ball? Then you are not starting from nowhere, you already have a head-start. If you look at Tao Te Kung Fu as taught by Kung Fu Living, you will see that every detail is broken down into simple movements that, if you can step and push a door closed, you can certainly learn.
It also depends on what you want to do with your skills. If you want to become a tournament competitor, I’m going to point out that there is a reason you don’t see many professional boxers over 40. Some styles were originally designed with only very fit, strong and athletic young men in mind. Some styles have developed to become the equivalent of circus acts and only really suit those with such a genetic predisposition. However, if you want to learn how to actually defend yourself in a real confrontation? If you want to improve your coordination, strength, flexibility or balance? If you want to reduce your anxiety and stress, while improving your self-esteem and confidence? Then you are never too old to start learning with Kung Fu Living. The program requires no particular level of fitness or pre-existing skills; it simply requires you to do several simple activities each day and your steady progress is mapped out for you.
You can’t change the past but right now, this moment, you have in your hands the power to change your future.
