Why do you stick at Kendo? (Question for Yudansha)

[shred_lord]

In response to some threads recently and my own interview with Kenzen. I'm interested in finding out what motivates people to keep going to practice.

This is aimed at Dan grades because this is about people who have already stuck at it a while.

Cheers,

[JSchmidt]

I enjoy it?

[shred_lord]

Fair enough (it's not a trick question)

[EBP2K2]

In response to some threads recently and my own interview with Kenzen. I'm interested in finding out what motivates people to keep going to practice.

This is aimed at Dan grades because this is about people who have already stuck at it a while.

Cheers,

well, i have only been at it for a short time... motivation for now seems to stem from wanting to have that one good practice during which what i'm trying to work on/fix now finally click in my head....

[Neil Gendzwill]

Because it's Wednesday, and on Wednesday we have keiko.

[ahmed61086]

Because I still havn't become a jedi.

[RC_Kenshi]

I put down that I do kendo because it's fun, but it is so much more complicated than that. It is a major stress reliever. I also enjoy the company of (most of) my dojo-mates. It is good excercise; as I explain to visitors that it keeps me from planting my hind end in front of the television with a bag of Cheetos at least 2 nights a week. And of course, to quote Aries sig: "must try not to disappoint people who let you hit them."

Of course, as I mentioned in another post, it all boils down to: Kendo is fun (and when it stops being fun, I probably won't stick at kendo any more).

RC_Kenshi

P.S. To expound on Neil-sensei's statement, I have often found myself saying something to the effect: "I can't go there, because it's on Monday (or Thursday), and Monday is kendo." Completely obvious and valid reason in my eyes; in the eyes of others? Maybe not so much.

[Kenzan]

Free Beer?
:D

[Ignatz]

Because I can.
P.s. Although I like pears, they have no influence on my kendo.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Oh, and also for the chicks.

[lucy]

P.s. Although I like pears, they have no influence on my kendo.

You must spread some rep around etc.

Exactly my thought, awesome. :D

[shred_lord]

Bugger! :) Well Done.

[JSchmidt]

Oh, and also for the chicks.

So, what do you do once you gotten one of those?

[shred_lord]

So, what do you do once you gotten one of those?Maybe that's a discussion to be having with your Dad! ;)

[ZtefaNNN[K]]

As Neil said, today we have Keiko. But I think that there´s more than 1 reason, I also enjoy it and that also helps me to stay motivated and all that, I also think it helps me to grow, and like that many other things, I chose "I do Kendo" because the phrase appealed to me and it allows me to add more meaning to it, besides I find it hard to imagine myself without "doing" kendo.

[cesarekim]

Couldn't imagine waking up without the wonderful scent of 4 bogu drying somewhere in the house. I'm sure my wife could, though...

[Fonsz]

A few years ago I had a 'farewell' discussion with someone who quit Kendo after about 10 years practice. She said she couldn't get any 'inspiration' out of Kendo any more. I on the other hand thought (and still think) that it was something of a mid-life crisis. She said that she admired my commitment to the "sport". I told her that Kendo isn't a sport but Budo, and also something that has become a part of me. A big part at that. I also told her that I personally thought it rather uncool to quit at which time she got angry because I didn't understand her.
I do Kendo because I am.:ko:

[Shazzanzzz]

I started because I thought it was fun, kept doing it because it is fun. People i know from kendo is what that makes it fun though... But people are leaving around me.... So hopefully I can stay motivated. I went through one year where kendo was more of a responsibility to me more than something I enjoy, and I really didn't have much fun doing that.

[kurisu]

In response to some threads recently and my own interview with Kenzen. I'm interested in finding out what motivates people to keep going to practice.

This is aimed at Dan grades because this is about people who have already stuck at it a while.

Cheers,

So a 2 year nidan stuck it out more than a 5 year ikkyu?

[shred_lord]

kurisu,

The Mudansha/Yudansha distinction is simply convenient. I know you have a very low opinion of people like me and that's fine. But if you want to have that argument, please take it to a new (or at least relevant) thread.

[Lady_Kitsune]

Helps me with my character and helps me relax... I know they are weird reasons, but that's it

[kurisu]

kurisu,

The Mudansha/Yudansha distinction is simply convenient. I know you have a very low opinion of people like me and that's fine. But if you want to have that argument, please take it to a new (or at least relevant) thread.

No, it has nothing to do with you. Forgive me if I have sounded this way. I just was pointing out that rank has nothing to do with commitment and time spent.

[Curtis]

Because it has become an incurable disease. I tried to quit a couple times, but alas I could not.

If not kendo then I would have found something else.

[shred_lord]

@ Kurisu: Had a long post... but I'm not getting drawn into that debate. It's a generalisation, you choose whether to vote or not.

@ Everybody: Interesting results so far, keep em coming. :)

[Inner_Silence]

what means "Yudansha" ???

[Lady_Kitsune]

I'm not sure if it's this, but I think it means the subtitle you have under your nickname

[Badtz-Maru]

Great topic.

I've done Kendo for a long time and I am involved in so many aspects of it that I would create a gigantic void in my life. Not to mention the fact that I have embraced the "path" or "way" aspect of it that it has become hard for me to leave that path.

I train under the great Tagawa Sensei, I assist at one dojo, I have my own dojo, I compete 6-7 times a year in both individuals and teams, I am the VP of Education of my federation, I have many friendships that are Kendo related, it's the only physical exercise I get, it fuels my motivation, my students feed my determination...

So if I stopped now, I'd end up with a ton of free time. Heck, even now in my free time I'm on here talking about Kendo. I am in so deep and it is such a great part of my life that there is no way I would want to quit. Seeing what lies ahead for myself and some of the people I train with is too exciting for me.

[Neil Gendzwill]

what means "Yudansha" ???Those who have dan, in other words, shodan and up. Mudansha means kyu grades.

[nebosuke]

Free Beer?
:D

If you think the beer is free, it just means your turn to bring it is past due.

[enkorat]

I think I've stayed not because of one reason, but for a lot of reasons. If it were only one reason, my motivation would be relatively unstable as my life changed.

My regular line of work as a graduate student in the sciences is a very "philosophical" enterprise. Lots of thinking, lots of arguing that makes the flames on Kendo-World seem like mild disagreements, lots of egos clashing. Sometimes I see brilliant people. Other times I have to deal with people who obviously believe they are brilliant.

Kendo is good exercise and keeps me mentally stable because it lets me express unhealthy emotions as physical exercise. It keeps me humble because "getting better" is measured by tangible landmarks, and there is always something to improve on. It keeps me compassionate because I see where I used to be in some beginners, and I remind myself of what I used to be, and not get too high on my own horse.

I've stayed in Kendo because my instructors are very blunt, straight forward and honest people. Being around such people gives me role models in how to be a more honest, straight forward person in my life.

Kendo reminds me that I need to confront the things I fear, doubt, or don't expect in my entire life as whole. It reminds me that I have to face such things with resoluteness.

It reminds me that I am not perfect, but by hard work, dedication and patience I can do better.

I enjoy Kendo because my senseis and my sempais are all down to earth people who aren't out to boost their own egos and flash their ranks around like badges into the VIP area. Being around people who are competant, self-confident, but humble is good for me.

[kuzu70]

Kendo is BADASS!!
There are no words to describe the feeling when you get a clean ippon or you learn something new or you see your students improving or you give it your all in kakarikeiko, etc. You get my drift.

[Charlie]

A lot of great answers, especially, for me, Badtz-Maru's and enkorat's and Neil's - but also kuzu70s: I was thinking one good reason is because I cut a good men, kote or doh and it felt so good I wanted to do it again. So just as the surfer constantly seeks the perfect wave, I am hunting yuko datotsu.

I think most people do kendo for the exercise, lifestyle, spirituality and character-building, but also a host of other reasons that are part of who we are. I started doing martial arts generally nearly ten years ago when I quit smoking and committed to being healthy and because I always wanted to try martial arts. Combative sport is my personal favorite category of sport and kendo is my favorite combative sport. If I didn't do kendo, I'd do judo, kickboxing, kung fu, mixed martial arts... something. But kendo has me by the heart, so kendo 4 life.

[yoda-waza]

I stick with kendo for pretty much the same reason I started it. It appeals to me. It's kind of like a marriage in that you fall for someone/something, commit yourself to it and, in doing so, a large part of who you become developes over time through it. Not that I'm choosing drapery or raising kids with any dojomates mind you....

[Theodore]

I voted helps me unwind. I have an intense job (physician) without a lot of physical activity to counter balance the mental effort. Kendo is a chance to concentrate on the purely physical.

[A Wadlow]

"you need it because you are weak"

So I clicked "other"

[yohed55]

I picked "I do kendo" because that best describes me. Can't see myself without it, etc. etc.

[Sutemi]

I picked "I do kendo" because that best describes me. Can't see myself without it, etc. etc.

Agreed. There should be an entry up there for "'because everywhere else I look like a weirdo when I stamp my feet."

Seriously though, I really continue to do it for the calm you get afterwards. In mokuso after a 3 hours practice filled with keiko and kakarigeiko, I feel amazing. The day after, I feel springy and attentive.

[RC_Kenshi]

I do Kendo because I am.:ko:

Kendo ergo sum?

[MikeW]

I chose 'because I do kendo' because it encompasses everything. Really the only two reasons listed that don't apply to me are: ' Because of Pear/Parent pressure' and ' For the competative aspects'.

[Kuri]

It helps me get up in the early morning (asageiko) and there is nothing better than a cold beer or two in the evining after training.

[dohrt]

Out of the 8 possible answers, only two of them are untrue for me (I am not a sensei so I don't have any students, and I have no peer/parent pressure). The rest are all reasons that I do kendo. However, I put "other" because of the coolest reason of all:

I get to wear blue !

[michaelm]

For the opportunity to overcome immense adversity in an environment insulated with reigi.

[Charlie]

Sounds like "I do kendo" and "for fun" are two ways of expressing the same thing!

[bullet08]

So, what do you do once you gotten one of those?

take her into a room. take her bra off. then take that bra and make sling shot out of it and go bear hunting. if she calls you back, tell her you have a kendo practice.

pete

[Fonsz]

Kendo ergo sum?
Yes that's it "Kendo ergo sum!" That has a nice ring to it. It covers it all I would say. Thanks for the educated translation.

[MAZ77]

Free Beer?
:D

Free because you do not bring any. Tsk tsk.

I go because its what I have done on Friday for as long as i can remember....i dont remember fridays before kendo.

[MAZ77]

If you think the beer is free, it just means your turn to bring it is past due.

Beat me to it....

[The great I AM]

I clicked because its fun, but my first motivation was simply wanting to do what I watched my sempai doing when I first started. We all did some suburi with a bokuto for an hour, then we all sat at the side and watched the seniors bashing seven bells out of each other. I saw that and immediately decided I wanted to do that. These days I watch DVD's of kendo and think the same thing......anyhow, getting to the stage I7m at now has been "fun" so I chose that one. As to what will happen from here on in....well......we'll see!

[Sutemi]

Yes that's it "Kendo ergo sum!" That has a nice ring to it. It covers it all I would say. Thanks for the educated translation.

What's funny is that were there to be a verb or Kendo in Latin, it'd probably..well...be Kendo.

Verbs that are 1st person singular almost always utilize the "-o" ending, regardless of conjugation (so long as it's active, present, indicative).

So, yeah - Kendo ergo sum. I practice kendo, therefore, I am.

Wow, a chance to use 4 years of Latin.

[Karaken]

How about "All of the above + More"? I started Kendo because it was an exercise that wasn't boring but it became much more than that. I knew teaching is twice learning before Kendo but Kendo teaching brought me to prove to myself how truth that statement is.. Maybe it's not that I do Kendo. Maybe it's Kendo does me...

[shred_lord]

Maybe it's not that I do Kendo. Maybe it's Kendo does me...Haha, I like that :)

[phillyTSK]

I consider Kendo as a measuring rod for seeing where I am psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually.

It helps me in my work and other areas of life.

I also am the type of person who needs some kind of special exercise. It also helps me stay up beat.

I also find my sensei very helpful to me in general.

[Mudansha]

Because I believe in Kendo!

[John W]

How many things in life unite in one moment body, mind and spirit? Well quite a few but are shinai involved????

[A Wadlow]

I was thinking about this again the other day. Is doing it to beat people the wrong mentality?

I would say for me its 60% wanting to beat people and 40% is me punishing myself by doing something that has no end and in every way is there to be difficult.

But if it is why you STICK at kendo, it would be because I try and quit (a lot) and people won't let me.

[MrChow]

I think its an awesome physical activity which sure as hell beats going to the gym in the fun stakes, yet lets me get a decent exercise quota in for the week.

In the past year and a half, I've been through two major slumps in my enthusiasm for kendo (all because I kept thinking I wasn't progressing as fast as I should/want be/to), onset of plantar fasciitis and I still can't get enough!

Bring on keiko tommorow night!

EDIT: Just noticed the OP wanted only yudansha to reply. My answer stands, I'm not yudansha but I've been training for 3 years, thats a while imo. (Not a long time I know)

[Lucien]

Because the people I most admire do kendo.

[bullet08]

every time this thread comes up, i start singing..

"I am stuck on Band-Aids, 'cause Band-Aid's stuck on me.."

pete