Well once again, it’s that season for reflection, or my usual Deep Thoughts, haha. Especially at this time of year, I feel extra blessed that Sensei Peter, Wayne, and I can continue to share karate with you all at HISKF. It’s been over 23 years since I started this club and am very aware that we won’t be able to do this forever. Today, your senseis would all be considered “elderly men” in our seventies. Now, it’s not purely about one’s chronological age and being “young at heart” (like us, haha) is a real phenomenon. If one’s age were the only life factor, I’d have some trepidations since the average male life expectancy in Hawaii is (wait for it)…77.6 years! And Hawaii’s average lifespan is ranked among the highest in the U.S. A pretty sobering statistic eh? Hey, no one lives forever, but it’s not just about living for a long time, but rather, it’s living in good health that makes it worthwhile. I’ve seen some estimates that the average “healthspan” (how long one can remain healthy) in the U.S. is a mere 63 years…a milestone that your senseis passed a decade ago. Just what is good health as applied to seniors anyway? As one gets older, we begin to naturally lower the bar. For most, it means living without chronic pain/illness that limits one’s activities. As a senior, this usually means being able to comfortably do the things that seniors are known to do: walking, shopping, golfing, playing pickleball, attending sporting events, puttering around in the yard, playing with grandchildren, or just being able to use the remote/mouse and watch one’s favorite shows without discomfort.

Recommended movement activities for seniors often include Tai Chi or Yoga. As the years roll by, I guess we belong to a shrinking group of outliers. Septuagenerians aren’t expected to execute the blocking/punching/kicking techniques of Shotokan Karate-Do with speed and power, nor taking long lunging/sprinting steps, haha. I think that it’s only possible because we’ve been doing it since we were in our teens. Naturally, our physical conditioning has faded from when we were brand new black belts some 50 years ago. Conversely, these decades of training and teaching have vastly increased our understanding of the art (there’s so much to share with you!) It would be neat if you could absorb the art just by listening to us talk about it or reading up on it or even by simply watching martial arts movies – but the art can only be acquired through years of physical training under knowledgeable instructors. It’s said that most of what you learn (mentally) is received visually, paired with (physically) countless hours of repetitive (but focused) practice. I suppose I could even add in the sense of hearing as in how the sharp crack of a snapping punch, the pop of a side thrust kick, or the sound of a focused kiai can inspire one to emulate and try harder.

Perhaps one day, one of our younger members will have learned enough and be motivated enough to carry on the HISKF tradition (we have very excellent and “youngish” senpais). Only God know how many more years we can continue to do this. I am ever thankful that your senseis can still demonstrate and explain karate waza to you…today.