Hobbies

My hobbies are things I've pretty much had for life.  Writing (primarily), reading, some kind of creative work (image editing has opened up the world for me!).  I was a runner for over 30 years, but got sick of getting age-related injuries - especially Achilles tendonitis.  I swim and cycle a lot instead now - though I've done both of those for years, too.

I did martial arts for a few years (Bujinkai karate) because I was interested in the spiritual side of the discipline as much as being able to learn how to defend myself.  I applied myself rigorously, reaching blue belt (7th kyu - three below 1st Dan black belt), but I never really had a natural aptitude for it.  Kata (learning a routine sequence of moves for each grade) is integral to the practice, and I used to love practicing kata because it is practiced alone, in one's own space, and is about the individual learning mastery over his or her body.  I was less keen on sparring.  Despite what I'd learned, my technique always fell apart during sparring.  I simply couldn't co-ordinate, or anticipate what was coming at me in order to counter it.  Maybe a body language issue.  I also couldn't maintain eye contact with my sparring partner, which is also not good.  In the end, I gave up following my blue belt grading because it was so physically gruelling.  I don't mean the exercise itself, but the fact that I picked up some severe body bruising and a couple of cracked ribs which left me in agony for days.  Unfortunately, with any martial art, you get an element that's more in it for the macho thing.  Some of the black belts clearly enjoyed being able to show off their skills in aggressive combat.  They loved the blood and bruises.  They often used to walk home from the dojo afterwards still wearing their gis, just posing.  But this isn't really in the true spirit of the discipline.  It probably varies from one group to another.  If you go into it for the right reasons, and with a Cain-like degree of open-mindedness and humility, you'll probably find it hugely rewarding.  It's certainly a great way to develop spiritually (if you're that way inclined) and physically.  It pushes you to all of your limits.

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Yes... some clubs are more 'aggressive' than others.  Generally speaking, with karate, you shouldn't get injured.  Part of learning the discipline in sparring is to stop just short of contact, or make light contact.  You have protective gear, too, that you should use: gloves, arm protectors, shin protectors, etc.  My 7th kyu grading, though, did it for me.  We had a visiting Sensei, who was - I think - 5th Dan.  He was this middle-aged guy who clearly belonged to the 'macho, Steven Seagal' school.  He had us partnering up and taking turns to punch one another in the solar plexus 'in order to toughen us up.'  I got a cracked rib out of that which left me in agony for a couple of weeks - also, bruising like I'd been hit by a bus.

What about something like Tai Chi?  I know a lot of people who do that.  Very spiritual, laid back individuals who never seem to come to any harm.  It's more about using your opponent's strength against them.  It seems more defensive than offensive.