Hunka after 50

[Mig]

[Daifong]

Hello Mig,

The oldest person I have ever taught trained with me for like, 2 years, she was 63-65 years of age during that time...

She already knew a version of Yang 108 that she would warm up with before coming to learn the Kwun Lun Gim from me...

I also taught her some gentle rotation exercises for ligament, tendon and joint comfort, also some gentle swinging stretches with relaxed, natural breathing for promoting circulation to the extremities...

However, the generation who come to practice with Lam Cho in HK are almost all "50 and up"...

They usually warm up to their individual preference, similar to how I described above, and then they'll start running through the sets, sequentially until deciding on a favorite, which they will play many, many times...

When somebody has had a "favorite set" for 10, 20, 30 years, there is just a little something different about it, IMHO!

Lam Cho himself, is now over 100 years of age. In personal practice, all through his 80's and 90's would play TSK first thing in the morning, then jog around his studio 1/2 hour or so whenever he was feeling up to it...

That, before washing up and conducting his day-to-day affairs!



Best,

Mike

[TenTigers]

my Sifu/friend Chao Hung just celebrated his 75th Birthday-
(he drank us all under the table!)
He is retired-former Doctor and MA Advisor in Guangzhao, so in his "retirement," he's up at six am, teaches Tai-Chi to a group in the park, then at 7 teaches members of the Chinatown Police Dept., Then from 8-11 does his rounds of house calls(he's a dit-da Doctor) and after that plays with me in the park.
This guy does more in his retirement than most people half his age do in their regular life.
Something to shoot for....

[Mig]

Thanks Daifong. The question is how much you can push practicing your forms, kick flexibility, power and stamina. I noticed I can practice but whenever I hurt myself, it takes time to heal. How far can we go in the system or short should we start taichi (taiji) as we grow older.

Thanks,

Mig

[markt]

I would suspect that like any physical activity, if you practice consistently and properly, 50 is still quite young. If you don't practice consistently and decide to push yourself once in a while, then it should be obvious that you will likely injure yourself..

My sifu is in his 60s and puts me to shame even though I am more than 30 years younger than him...

[Yogicmotion]

I would say for Hung gar, makes sure you warm up REALLY well first and don't forget to stretch after workouts for many minutes.

Hot epson salt bathes are a god sent to help heal sore and tight muscles.

I know my sifu does alot of standing meditation and Tai chi along with his Hung gar. He is very strong and to my knowledge injury free. Being in his 70 know he still is faster and stronger then most half his age.

[Frank Bolte]

I will report back in 10 years ...so far im ok no worries.
In my hei gung class I have an 82 year old lady, a 61 and 55 year old lady...they all do pretty good but I guess thats not comparable to hung kuen training....

[Daifong]

Right Mig,

So I should mention at this point that Hung Kyun and Tai chi do share in common that they require no particular physical prerequisite in themselves, though can be adjusted slightly to the individual...

Hung Kyun and Tai Chi physio-energetic benefits are also through Noi Gung, so should be no need for jumping, stamping, high kicking and such that will be impractical at a certain age, especially if one is starting relatively later on in the game...

Asking what one's own objectives are, should be primarily for good health, by that I mean our physioenergetic development and maintenance, active, alert, good concentration, comfortable range of movement, good reflexes, balance, strength etc...

If one doesn't have the means with which to develop such qualities in sufficient measure, self-defense techniques will be problematic to impliment at best...

Fortunately, those are all something that can be worked on, right?

So, whether Tai Chi or Hung Kyun, elderly members engage in fewer vigorous, external exercises of a type which might produce exhaustion or strain...

Gradually training less so many Fa Jing internal release exercises, emphasis on building and circulation instead...

Rather, they are focused on concentration and circulation, a little light cardio, so that when somebody asks, "wow, he's over 70?" the answer will be, "well, it sure doesn't seem to be any problem for him!"



Best,

Mike

[TenTigers]

[Daifong]

Ten, the fact that you're in touch with those, it's the best guarantee that your friends and students will all have a model by which to cope, and hopefully be able to avert and spare them from experiencing such in the first place...

I myself was fortunate to have studied at various times with martial athletes of various styles who were coping with various respective injuries...

It has been invaluable, both as personal inspiration, and to light the way for others, who might otherwise have unwittingly continued toward similar circumstances, or even given up entirely...

IMO those Sifu always vanishing into the woodwork when some early training error or accident eventually catches up to them aren't doing anyone any favors!



Best,

Michael