WorxWare

I started martial arts at age 50. Actually, I started when I was 19, but only lasted about 1.5 years. I ended up breaking a toe at my work place. Since I couldn't practice with crutches, I stopped for a while ... when I returned, there I was at 50 years of age ... I guess at 19, it wasn't that important.

Martial arts provides some significant benefits at this age:

• excellent for fitness and helping to maintain agility
• mental clarity, discipline and calmness
• basic self defense

I ended up selecting Aikido. At the time, Aikido seemed to be better suited to my age. Since then, I also spent about two years in Ju-Jutsu and Kempo Karate.

Now my training is primarily Daitoryu Aiki-jutsu and Aikido. Aikido is a softer style and in part based on Daitoryu Aiki-jutsu. I don't focus on grades, level, or ranks -- they are totally unimportant.

I do assist in teaching (Daitoryu Aiki-jutsu) beginners with breakfalls, rolls, blocks ... well, the basics.