I’m always observing how people move, especially when out and about, and I’m intrigued by the various ways and postures in which people walk and move.

An instructor once told me, just after I received my black belt, that Karate was challenging to pick up if it was started after the age of 35-40, more so for the Kyushindo style due to its greater emphasis on movement. This was due to the difficulty in overcoming ingrained patterns of movement that people have developed. I have subsequently observed this among some people I have instructed over the years. I notice this in myself when I am shown new techniques or patterns, now that I am getting on a bit.

I found a tangible reason for this, as stated in a book by Peter Ralston – ‘Zen Body Being’.

He says that when we try to learn something new by moving our bodies, we always attempt to relate to it through what we already know. The longer we have been exposed to ingrained patterns, the harder we find it to do it differently from how we think it’s being done. In essence, you have to let go and move differently, but for most, this is nearly impossible as they are unaware of how their body is moving. How can they feel if they are doing it differently?

So, if you’re over 40 and have started practising martial arts, don’t worry. Once you realise your mind’s limitations on your movement, it is easier to progress. Knowing about a limitation is half the battle to overcome it.

It all comes down to one word – ‘awareness’, which is the first step to correction.

Most of the above is generalisation and will apply to many; there will always be a few who do not have any problem learning new patterns of movement, regardless of what they have done in the past.

Peter Ralston is an intriguing Martial Arts personality.

He works with people to authentically expand and deepen their “consciousness,” and to become more real, honest, and effective human beings.

He also teaches people about their bodies and how to be most effective in its use, and is the creator of the Art of Effortless Power—a large scope internal martial art using an effortless power to “play” with others, deepening an understanding of effective interaction using such principles as joining, complementing, and leading to create masterful interactive skills.