AT RETIREMENT, many seniors dabble in the arts to keep their brains busy.

Not so many tackle the physically demanding martial art of taekwondo.

But for Dragan Atanasov, 66, the Korean sport is an ideal way to keep his body fit and his mind active.

"When I stopped working, I wanted to find a physical activity that involves the body," Mr Atanasov said.

"I also wanted to make my life interesting by trying something different." He found it at Joon No's Taekwondo in Dandenong.

Mr Atanasov said he had passed the club many times, but it wasn't until February 6 this year that he signed up.

He said he knew it would be difficult to pick up a new sport later in life, particularly one demanding high levels of coordination and flexibility, but with plenty of practice he was slowly improving.

His trainer, Master No, said Mr Atanasov's flexibility was impressive.

"He is also an inspiration to all who are afraid to start taekwondo," Mr No said.

"Anyone can start Taekwondo at any age. It is all in the mind."