My fitst class

[morpheus]

I attended my first class Saturday. The class is located in Lexington, KY (Central Kentucky Kendo Club part of the AUSKF). It was very intimidating. We were allowed to observe on this first occasion to determine whether we were interested. There were about 50 people who were split into three groups: beginner, intermediate beginner and advanced beginner. The group consisted primarily of children. The class was conducted all in Japanese, the non-Japanese participant followed along based primarily on the physical performance of the techniques by the instructors. Although the instructor's would come over and offer specific instruction to the English speaking students when it appeared they were having difficulty grasping a certain concept. Out of the approximate 50 people in attendace there were only three non Japanese participants. Four people were offering instruction, one of which was not Japanese, he was utlized primarily as an uke for the children. We had a great time and was very disappointed to hear they did not have class this upcoming weekend due to a Japanese Holiday, nonetheless I can't wait.
Jeff

[Jerry Wellbrock]

Jeff, Welcome to the East Central US Kendo Federation. You are very fortunate to have found the Central Kentucky Kendo Club. The group of instructors you have there are very talented and very good people. I train in Covington at the Northern Kentucky Kendo Club and we have recently lost our Sensei who has returned to Japan. We are lucky to be able to have another Sensei come to help us out and occassionaly we get together to train with the group from Central Kentucky. I am sure that we will be meeting in the future and hang in there with the language difficulty. Just watch your Senseis and try to do as they ask and if you don't understand ask. Congratulations on your first class and good luck with your training. Jerry Wellbrock :old_man:
I attended my first class Saturday. The class is located in Lexington, KY (Central Kentucky Kendo Club part of the AUSKF). It was very intimidating. We were allowed to observe on this first occasion to determine whether we were interested. There were about 50 people who were split into three groups: beginner, intermediate beginner and advanced beginner. The group consisted primarily of children. The class was conducted all in Japanese, the non-Japanese participant followed along based primarily on the physical performance of the techniques by the instructors. Although the instructor's would come over and offer specific instruction to the English speaking students when it appeared they were having difficulty grasping a certain concept. Out of the approximate 50 people in attendace there were only three non Japanese participants. Four people were offering instruction, one of which was not Japanese, he was utlized primarily as an uke for the children. We had a great time and was very disappointed to hear they did not have class this upcoming weekend due to a Japanese Holiday, nonetheless I can't wait.
Jeff

[morpheus]

Jerry~
Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I am very excited about beginning down this path. I currently train in Aikido in Louisville, and feel these two arts will be a great fit. I was quite intimidated as I first arrived at the dojo and had no frame of reference for what I was experiencing. Myself and two other fellow Aikidoka will be starting our training together. As far as the quality instructors, I was only able to speak with Imura Sensei, but there were two others. Do you know their names? Maybe one day I could drive up to Covington to visit your dojo.
thanks Jeff

[Jerry Wellbrock]

Jeff, You can contact me by email at docjpw@fuse.net or call me at 859-491-1266. The best time to call is Mon-Thurs between 8AM and 5 PM. I do not know the names of the other instructors in Lexington but two of the guys who occassionally visit there are Frank Victores form Northern Kentucky and a Ben Hubert who is a Yondan from Louisville. Perhaps someday there will be enough folks from the Louisville area to have a kendo club there. The groups from Lexington, Northern Kentucky(Victores Sensei and Kotani Sensei), Monroe, Ohio headed by Steve Johnson and Miami Valley Kendo Club(Ariga Sensei) all are affiliated within the East Central US Kendo Federation headed by Ariga Sensei,7th Dan. We get together a couple of times a year for special events and training. Usually at Christmas time and also New Years Day in Monroe. Drop me an email anytime. I will look forward to meeting you. Sincerely Jerry.
Jerry~
Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I am very excited about beginning down this path. I currently train in Aikido in Louisville, and feel these two arts will be a great fit. I was quite intimidated as I first arrived at the dojo and had no frame of reference for what I was experiencing. Myself and two other fellow Aikidoka will be starting our training together. As far as the quality instructors, I was only able to speak with Imura Sensei, but there were two others. Do you know their names? Maybe one day I could drive up to Covington to visit your dojo.
thanks Jeff

[morpheus]

Jerry~
Once again thanks for the information. I wonder what would constitute enough interest, there are three of us who will be driving to Lexington every Saturday. I would not be surprised if I could not find enough interest in my fellow Aikidoka, but one would need an instructor.
Don't be surprised if you receive a call from me in the near future with an endless supply of questions. Do you have contact information on Mr. Hubert?
Jeff

[Jerry Wellbrock]

Jeff, I am working on that for you. Please contact me by email at docjpw@fuse.net as that is much easier for me and I check email several times a day. I am not always checking the forums. Jerry
Jerry~
Once again thanks for the information. I wonder what would constitute enough interest, there are three of us who will be driving to Lexington every Saturday. I would not be surprised if I could not find enough interest in my fellow Aikidoka, but one would need an instructor.
Don't be surprised if you receive a call from me in the near future with an endless supply of questions. Do you have contact information on Mr. Hubert?
Jeff