To avoid cluttering up the exercise buddies thread I though a new thread might be useful as my questions are all about karate. I have found another karate forum but they are all such old hands I feel a total dork posting basic questions there.
There does seem to be quite a cavalier attitude to the impact it has on the body but I put that down to the fact that the experienced karateka are all fighters so expect a certain amount of damage. One of the girls taking part in the tournament came in to training with a mahoosive bruise on he cheek - which shocked me. I guess it shouldn't. I really ache after the training some days. Does my age mean that I simply can't take the punishment? I have always kept reasonably fit but am I asking too much?
Also I do find the whole hurting people aspect of it a bit daunting - no problem with kicking a pad or punching a bag but I simply can't do it to real people even though I know they will get out of the way. I'm not afraid of getting hurt but after 42 years of being told to be nice, not hurt people, be gentle, it's very hard to change those habits. I watch the others sparring and I really want to be able to do that - it must be very empowering, but I simply don't know how to go about trying to hit someone as if I really mean it. When does this change? Oh yes and when do you stop saying sorry