Aldershot, Farnham & Haslemere karate clubs

What made you think of starting karate?

• Well, My son who was then 10 had been training for 18 months or so, so I had a fair opportunity to watch what went on and increasingly felt that I wanted to have a go too.  Also I had hit 40 and with a 2 year old son I also felt the need to want to get fitter!

• I started Karate because I had always wanted to learn a form of self-defence, but had never quite got around to it! I had also just moved to the area and thought it would be a good way to meet new people

• Karate classes were introduced on a trial basis at a health and sports club I belonged to.  By the time they finished I was hooked enough to want to try more, so went along to the Sensei’s regular Club.

What were your worries and pre-judged thoughts on what karate would be like?

• I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be physically fit enough to train. I appreciated the fact that Karate is a discipline and that the dojo is governed by rules of conduct and respect, and I guess I was also a bit unsure if there would be a ‘fun’ side to karate!

• I think my main worry was that I would get hit!  I was also concerned that it would be very aggressive, macho and testosterone fuelled!  Also I worried that I was too old to learn a new sport and that I would look stupid. How wrong I was!

• That it would be really scary and serious. It is serious, but in a positive way!  Also that they would all think I was too old, but would humour me along for a bit because I wouldn’t last long anyway.   I thought there would be lots of male “Bruce Lee-type wannabe’s” who would beat me up just because they could, all with Black Belts and a top age of 30, and the rest comprising young teens and 20’s! 

• I started Martial Arts because I wanted to improve my confidence and feel like I had more control over my mind and body.

• I started initially with Kung fu and then progressed onto Karate later. My initial thoughts were that Karate movements would not flow the same as Kung Fu, with more complex separate moves!

So how did this differ to how it actually is and how much were your pre-judged thoughts wrong or wide of the mark?!!

• My pre conceptions were totally wrong.  Karate is not madly aggressive at all.  The beginners are introduced to the concept of sparring very gradually and in a controlled manner through choreographed pair work and exercises, such as trying to touch your partner’s belt before they touch yours.  I found I was not the oldest beginner and age is not a barrier, as we all progress at our own rate and there is no pressure to keep up or kick at head height! I still look stupid all the time but the club members are so supportive that I long ago stopped worrying about it.

• I have to admit my pre-judged thoughts were definitely wrong! I was right to think that karate is about discipline, respect and rules, but it is also a lot of fun, there’s a real sense of humour in each class! The classes are relaxed and friendly and when I started everyone made a huge effort to make me feel welcome. Once I started the classes I realised that Karate suits all levels of fitness and ages (even if you don’t currently do any exercise at all). You are expected to try hard and to improve with time, but only at a level you are comfortable with.

• I was really pleased to find many other females there, some of whom come training with their children, and that my worries about being way over that preconceived age limit of 30 was totally groundless!  There is no age limit and no-one thinks you’re a joke!!  The classes are carefully controlled and monitored, beginners are really looked after and introduced very slowly to the different aspects of karate such as sparring, pair-work and co-ordination skills, and if you get stuck and don’t understand something, you can ask for help and are given time and respect when you do so.

• Well, in reality karate movements tend to be very efficient and work with the natural movements of the body, so this makes the movements smooth and less stressful on the body.

So tell us how karate can really benefit women, girls and females of all ages?

• Studying karate at our clubs will definitely  increase your levels of fitness and flexibility and increase your confidence in your own abilities. As a woman, I don’t think there is anything more important than being able to defend yourself, should the situation ever arise.

• Physical fitness is the first benefit to be honest.  Karate is just a great combination of aerobic exercise and work on flexibility and strength.  Self confidence comes second, both from the knowledge and practice of the self defence elements but also from the mental challenge of learning and practicing Wado karate.  You also make great friends from all walks of life and ages, which is an added bonus

• Over time, karate improves your fitness, flexibility, stamina and strength.  Confidence also improves too, and also from a self defence point of view it's great because you do gradually learn the jujitsu based elements of Wado karate, such as arm and wrist locks.

• Karate will improve confidence, it also is great to improve fitness and mental ability.