New Kendoka-hopeful

[Fantasia]

Hi there!

Very lovely forums, already chimed in once on something I know a great deal about- posture and breathing!

Anyway, I'm 23 years old, and feel like I'm extremely lethargic. I do my job (teaching, which I absolutely LOVE) and I like some outdoor sports (tennis mostly) but in this Wisconsin weather, the tennis season isn't too long, and I feel really annoyed at how little activity I do other times of the year.

So, since I've always been fascinated by swordplay, I thought I'd look into Kendo, and I've liked what I've seen so far.

My question is.... Wisconsin isn't exactly the best place for Kendo, there's 2 Dojo's in the state (listed on the AUSKF and Kendo-usa websites at least) and one of them is limited to students/faculty at a University.

The Sensei at this dojo's credentials aren't the strongest in Kendo. To quote his bio - "Our Chief Instructor, Master Dan Schroeder, is a 8th degree black belt in the art of Shorin Ryu Karate and a Roku-Dan (6th degree black belt) in Okinawan Kobudo (weapons instruction)." It goes on later to state he has studied kendo for several years (doesn't mention how many) under "Sensei Vince Gibbens"

So my question is... is it worth it? My only other option is a much larger Dojo with much better credentialed Senseis, but it's an hour and a half away, and I wouldn't be able to start until December.

Any suggestions? Start locally and if I'm not satisfied study farther abroad?

[nodachi]

Sometimes you can join the university dojos by joining the university's gym. By paying the gym membership fee, even though you aren't a student or faculty, it will sometimes give you the label of being associated with the school and so you can then join the kendo club. Look into it, it may be your in and give you two choices instead of just one.

[Yowai]

Smells bad budo. (http://www.e-budo.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=45)
I'm not talking about wine testing, however.

[PhilMcLaughlin]

Go along and talk to the man

Watch the class - see if you think youd be happy to train there, talk to the students

One of the good things about kendo is that at the very basic level it really doesnt matter too much who you train under

A couple of things to watch out for though

You really want to be looking for IKF (International Kendo Federation) kendo because thats what everybody else does & this is what youd get if the dojo is affiliated to the national organisation

Dont be afraid to ask questions, just be polite about the way you ask them - it isnt absolutely necessary to be a high grade kendoka to teach (but of course thats a good measure of the teachers own skills) on the other hand if the isnt graded at all how can they guide you through the syllabus (beyond the basics).

I suggest go check it out, try a practise - you can always get good feedback here (see the thread on the young guy who found good a good kendo club after asking about how his current teacher wasnt being very open)

good luck !

[Fantasia]

Thank you all very much!

I'm going in to watch a class on Thursday. It IS IKF certified, which is how I found it in the first place.

I looked into the college program in Madison, they absolutely do NOT allow any non faculty/staff/students to be in the club... it has something to do with their practice facility, which is on campus, I think. The only way for me to join the club would be to pay the tuition for the class, which I couldn't go to, and since space is limited, I would probably be kicked out for not showing even thought I would pay. And besides, the club practices are all weekday afternoons which are impossible for me =(

Anyway, I can't wait until Thursday! 2 days away!

[Fantasia]

Ok went to watch last night.

Very satisfied with what I saw, I'll be starting next week Thursday.

Yay!

The sensei and the other kendoka were all very helpful. I got there early, and started talking to the first person with a shinai that I saw come in hehe. The sensei came out to talk to me a few times during class, explaining what they were doing and asking if I had any questions.

And this one guy's kiai was scaring the crap outta me and I was 25 feet away in a chair :scared: :scared: :scared:

They don't rent bogu though... gotta shell out for it a few months down the road. Damn. Oh well, maybe my wife will buy them for me as a Christmas present :glasses: