Want to learn Iaido in York, NE UK - But NO clubs!

[padishah]

Hi all

I have wanted to learn Iaido for almost five years now, but I live in York and there are no places where I can go. The nearest school is so far away the cost would be prohibitive for me by train or bus, I don't drive.

I would be grateful if anyone could point me or advise me as to what I could do, is there anything practical or worthwhile I can learn from home with a bokken, or any resources.

I can't be the only person who is so keen to learn but have nowhere to go. I am really envious of everyone who has the privilege of being able to learn Iaido, I just wish I had the chance! Aikido is the only martial art I can learn here!

Any help, ideas or advice would be most welcome.

Francis

[hamish]

If you really want to learn, then you'll have to travel, even if only once or twice a month. You cannot learn it out of a book or from a video, unless your goal is only to play around with swords in your backyard. You will only succeed in getting bad habits.

You'll find a lot of people hanging out here who travel for hours every week or month for training. Where is the closest dojo to you?

[padishah]

I've just found a number for a place in Leeds, not too far, a bus ride!! I will call them over the next day or so.

Thanks..

[plewis66]

If that's the Leeds MJER dojo, then I would also strongly recommend the DVD you will be able to get from them.

Not as an alternative to attending classes, but if you can only make it every couple of weeks, say, thenit will tide you over.

Actually, to be honest, it's well worth having even if you go every week. It's a superb memory jogger.

[padishah]

HELP!

The details I have is for a club which as far as I can tell closed about a decade ago.

If ANYONE knows of a club or has a phone number for one in Leeds or York PLEASE PLEASE please! let me know.

I cannot emphasise how badly I want to learn, this has been knawing at me for the best part of the last five years, I've made so many calls and checked out so many dead ends I am desparate!

Many thanks
-Francis

[Neil Gendzwill]

You have seen the BKA list for NE England, I assume? If not, it's here (http://www.kendo.org.uk/dojo/england_ne.shtml).

[chidokan]

I've been slow on this... :smiley:
Mark Sykes teaches in Leeds, however has a waiting list as his club is full at the moment. As people drop out pretty quickly though, p.m. me for his phone number.
If you are prepared to travel a little, I am up the road in Darlington, and teach a club in the area most nights of the week.

[JHusch]

Sorry I haf posted stuff for New York in the US not for York in England. Guess I should read better ;)

[padishah]

I've been slow on this... :smiley:
Mark Sykes teaches in Leeds, however has a waiting list as his club is full at the moment. As people drop out pretty quickly though, p.m. me for his phone number.
If you are prepared to travel a little, I am up the road in Darlington, and teach a club in the area most nights of the week.

ok, where can I find more info? prices, place etc..
I knew there was one in Darlington but I could not afford the train fare on a regular basis, once a month maybe but never more than that, that's why I would prefer Leeds, because I could get a bus there much cheaper and so attend 2-3 times a month.

Thanks to everyone who replied

[chidokan]

something appears to be wrong with the p.m. system...
email me on:

chidokan@ntlworld.com

and I will pass you Marks number. I seem to remember the dojo is a bit of a trip from the station, so someone will probably pick you up...

[padishah]

ok, will email you now

[SiMu]

Dang, I wish I'd found these forums before I tried to mail Mark Sykes.

Hope you don't mind if I mail you to Tim :wink:

[chidokan]

make sure you put "iaido" in the title somewhere as I have a particularly evil spam killer which eats anyone not in my address book... :ogre: :smiley:

[SiMu]

Haha, ok, I've sent the request again, thanks in advance :)

[MecnunK]

Hope you guys have been sorted out with Mark's email/details.

Here is a link to the website which also contains contact info for the sensies including Mark's details..


http://www.eikoku-roshukai.com/

[chidokan]

anyone back on the pm system yet???

Anyway, I'll see most of you at the seminar shortly... dont forget your pain killers (I've noticed my knees now start to ache after 4 days training...) and of course your notebooks... :smiley:

[tduffy]

Hi The Jikishin-kai has locations in NY nd NJ

www.jikishin-kai.com (http://www.jikishin-kai.com/)

Respects, Tom

[chidokan]

thats a hell of a long way to travel even in my books.... I can get a Japan ticket and less hassle from Customs for the price of an airfare to NJ! :smiley: It would show dedication to the art though....

[tduffy]

LOL! I thought the heading of the Message said NEW York. Not just York. LOL my bad. sry. lol

[SiMu]

I'd just like to say thanks Chidokan and MecnunK! :)

I attended the Leeds dojo for the first time on Monday and met Mark. From what I could gather the dojo was quieter than usual as some regulars were recovering from the 4 day seminar :wink:

Partnering with Mark for some Bokken work at the start of the lesson was a little intimidating at first, but after overcoming my initial nerves I settled right in and enjoyed it immensley... I even bought the DVD (which was well worth it).

I'm already counting down the days to the next lesson, so thanks again for helping me get in touch.

[ZealUK]

Hey Simu, I was the guy who helped with the hakama.

I think it will be a bit busier next week when the senior students turn up.

[chidokan]

shame you couldnt get to the big seminar, Iwata sensei was his usual awesome self.
I'm off to bed, my head hurts with too much info after the 4 hour question session in Scotland... :sleeping: and I've been up since 5 am to get them all to the plane...

[ZealUK]

It was a distinct pleasure to meet the Japanese sensei, especially Iwata sensei.

Tim, imagine how Yuriko san feels - she will have a headache in two languages! :D

[SiMu]

I am disappointed that I missed the seminar, I would have liked to see the Japanese Sensei's (even though I would probably have understood very little).

Thanks ZealUK for the Hakama lesson (and Obi lesson) :) next time I'll hopefully remember to wear something else underneath instead of having my boxers on display :redface:

One question (although I will speak to Mark Sensei about it), how soon do you think I should look into purchasing an Iaito?... Just as a guideline really as I am aware I shouldn't rush into things, I just get a little over enthusiastic at times :wink:

[ZealUK]

I think most people just wear boxers under their hakama!

I'm not really in a position to give advice on purchasing Iaito or anything, speak to Mark at the next training session. We usually go to the pub afterwards for a quick drink and a chat. This is usually a pretty good time to get questions answered if you don't have time at training.

Alex

[chidokan]

Order now, and by the time it comes you should be about ready to use it if you are practising regularly...

[MecnunK]

I agree with Tim if you are serious then start looking into iaitos and ordering now. I ordered mine almost as soon as I started because I knew immediately that I would stick with iaido. I will probably get it in December if I am lucky!!

If you feel the same way, it is time to start looking. Lots of useful stuff on this forum as well as Swordsforum.com. Just type iaito in the search box and you shall have hours of fun reading and digesting information on various brands as well as the things you should be looking for in an iaito. Ofcourse Mark will also help you.

[chidokan]

and dont dare order one of those 'sharp' Kill Bill ones off Ebay :ogre:
I just had a guy come up to me at freshers week at the Uni saying that the one he ordered was blunt and he wanted to sharpen it. And could he join my class?
I suggested the local psychiatric unit would serve him better... :confused2

[` ` `]

and dont dare order one of those 'sharp' Kill Bill ones off Ebay :ogre:
I just had a guy come up to me at freshers week at the Uni saying that the one he ordered was blunt and he wanted to sharpen it. And could he join my class?
I suggested the local psychiatric unit would serve him better... :confused2
hahahah A Kill Bill 'Iai sword'

I guess the 'tester' session with the freshers will be much more fun than I expected. Oh and one more thing: Did the guy mention HOW would he sharpen his err.. 'iaito'? :confused2

-b

[chidokan]

I now have a vision of walking into the mettallurgy lab and finding him in there with a file... :confused2

[SiMu]

and dont dare order one of those 'sharp' Kill Bill ones off Ebay :ogre:
I just had a guy come up to me at freshers week at the Uni saying that the one he ordered was blunt and he wanted to sharpen it. And could he join my class?
I suggested the local psychiatric unit would serve him better... :confused2
I was actually thinking more of a stainless steel Highlander lookalike :wink: j/k

Mark mentioned that the club armory is being updated and I should wait and see what they get in, apart from that I've just been looking at Tozando, Swordstore, and Nine Circles.

To be honest I want a cheap one to start off with then order a nice one when a) I can afford it and b) I am confident I won't hit the floor as often and damage it

[SiMu]

Actually, while I'm here what do you think of this package from e-bogu?

http://www.e-bogu.com/Iai_Combination_I_Best_choice_for_people_starting_ p/ebo-com-iai-iaicombo1--.htm

It seems to have everything I need for a pretty good price.

[chidokan]

Ive seen the sword before, they are ok for beginners. Overall package price is good, though check how much shipping and our ripoff government tax will cost extra to it. I got really stung for some gi from Japan.....so it may be cheaper to get a similar setup from nine circles. I'd ring and ask if I were you.