From paunch to punch

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 25 November 2012 | 18.48

The city's 40-plus are turning karate kids for a healthier, better lifestyle. We explore

You thought they would be mute spectators by the ringside, egging their kids on, clapping after a good performance. Not anymore. Neighbourhood supermoms and dads are slipping into the white dress and stepping on to the mat, punching, kicking and jabbing, just like their juniors. If figures at various martial arts centres in the city are anything to go by, many in their forties have taken to karate, taekwondo, aikido and judo like never before.

Goutam Motilal, who has his dojo or karate club at Ballygunge Cultural Seminar, says, "I have had more than seven middle-aged students who joined Shotokan karate classes in the past one year. They include professionals and homemakers who would earlier only accompany their kids. They are not too kicked about running on a treadmill at a gym hence karate. It's not for any competition but just plain therapeutic." Says Dipannita Majumdar, 44, who used to be an ardent rower in her youth, "I was putting on weight. I found Karate more relaxing than the gym. I used to accompany my 12-yearold daughter before I decided to join." Roy's Taekwando Academy in Salt Lake has seen a surge in the 40 plus agegroup. "These days, cholesterol, asthma, hip joint pains are quite common in people above 40. Doctors suggest exercise but many are averse to gymming. Martial arts combine meditation, yoga and other aspects of very basic exercises. I have around 12 students in the age group of 40-50. There is a busy techie, Nilanjan Chandra, who never misses a class," says Pradipta Roy, of the academy. Palash Sarkar, 42, besides taking classes at the Indian Statistical Institute, still finds time to get his taekwondo moves right. "This is a unique set of skills that helps you in so many ways. I have hardly any time to practise, but whenever I can, I brush up on taekwondo," he says.

Martial arts is a great stress reliever too, say many. "I even have a 60-year-old student who practises Aikido. There are less punches and kicks and it doesn't hurt your joints at all," says Arijit Mitra, chief instructor at the Academy of Aikido, at Calcutta Judo Club. Specific styles and stances are taught to aid and strengthen specific parts of the body. "The kiba dachi or the horse stance, for instance, strengthens the knee. We have back stances and front stances that help in joint rotation. However, chronic diseases like arthritis cannot be completely healed," says Motilal.

Trinamool Congress councillor for ward number 86, Durga Mukherjee, swears by karate. "I am 69 and am busy all day. The free hand exercises have helped. Unlike many politicians I don't have a paunch," he laughs. Says businessman Amit Mitra, 41, "It's about mental, physical and spiritual welfare." "And there are no side effects at all," quips lawyer Barun Ghosh, 44.

Doctors, though, add a word of caution. "No new fitness regime should be suddenly started after 40. There should be some kind of preparation and readiness for it," says Dr Debasish Chatterjee, an expert in sports medicine. So, there's never really any 'wrong side' to 40, is there?


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