Nine Months of Karate

After my yellow belt grading last month (May).

A short chronology

• First karate class: Saturday 3rd September 2022
• First grading: 9th kyu orange belt, Tuesday November 22nd 2022.
• Second grading: 8th kyu red belt, February 14th 2023.
• Third grading: 7th kyu yellow belt, May 20th 2023.
• Ceased training (sciatica): Tuesday June 13th 2023.

Despite my best hopes, my aging seventy-two year old body is incapable of supporting the endless repetitions of strikes, blocks and kicks of an unarmed combat art. There is a reason why the armed forces don't take guys my age.

I contemplate the deep pains in my left buttock, left leg and foot; the numbness and the tingling; the sharp jolts in the joints: and reluctantly leave my friends in the club to continue their long journey. By departing I affirm the very difficulty and exclusivity of the mission.

I continue to practice T'ai Chi and to exercise the T'ai Chi sword form.