Kendo and Commitment

[Sinta]

Kendo and Commitment. How commited are you?

I decided to make this post to, i guess, ramble and lift some weight of my shoulders. Since the first time I've ever seen Kendo 6 years ago, which was when I was 12 years old in a commercial, I've always wanted to do it. Problems was, that at the time I was living abroad and hopping from country to country. I could hardly find the time to be rooted to a dojo, much less find one.

But now 6 months ago I've finally found one and have decided to make the time fit into my schedule just for it. I took the beginners course and was there for the 8 weeks almost always 2 times a week. I loved it and enjoyed it.. but moving to the later of the 8 weeks just before Christmas (and after a lot of stress at the office and exams at school) I began to have problems. The last class before Christmas Vacation I had to go home early, because I was just not up for kendo at that time. I was feeling sick, weak and had a hard time breathing, much less shouting out my kiai.

2 days before the class after Christmas I was sent to the ER with an asthma attack. After 8 years being clean of such attacks, I took the brunt of it with no medicine at hand to quell it. After that little scare, my mom believed I had an asthma attack on the kendo class before Christmas vacation and decided that I should take things slower. So I also booked myself for another class for Tai Chi at least once a week (not on my kendo days).

Still it was around 3 weeks before I could get back to Kendo. If it wasn't for my sempai, who kept emailing to check if i was alright, i doubt I would've given it a 2nd thought. But indeed, I pushed myself again to get back up and for the past few weeks been going to Kendo for at least once a week. I still feel weak now and then and really out of practice, that the frustration destroys my enjoyment for Kendo at times, but my commitment to it keeps me going. I'm thinking now of going twice a week so I can keep up with the other students.

Yet there are days, when I can't seem to push myself. Work at the office hasn't gotten any easier and my exams haven't gotten any less stressful. All day I would look forward to going to Kendo class later that night, but an hour before the class I have to push myself to go.

I know I'm commited, and I love the sport. I want to keep trying to be better, no matter how slow I go. I've read a few articles and it seems the hardest part of Kendo is not the training.... but getting to the class. The commitment to keep going.

"It doesn't matter how slowly you go, so long as you don't stop"- Confuscius

Your thoughts on this and how commited are you?

[kendokamax]

That's a nice story!

I agree it's not always easy to go to every class. Personnaly, I like kendo a lot, but still sometimes I don't want to go to practices. The thing that pushes me the most is thinking about my friend at the club. Thinking that if they make the effort to come to practice I should also do the same. Same thing goes when practicing kendo. I'm a "lazy" kendoka I never do suburi by my own at home or anything like that, that's why I need to go to the most practices possible so I get pushed by others to reach my limit. It's always easier to push a bit more when you are doing it in a group.

Also one reason why I go to classes the most often possible is because I always want to progress. And also want to influence others to come more often (hopefully) to practice. So like that in the dojo everyone pushes in the same direction and progress faster!

Sadly, I can't go to more than 1 class per week now (only 2 more week of hell left!), because i'm working at the same time as kendo practice on week days. But this is for paying my trip to budo university. So kendowise it's a good cause hahaha. Going 1 year in japan mainly for kendo is I guess also a proof of commitement ...but many people on the board here are freaks that did or would do that if they had the chance.

anyway it's all fun.. there is also people that dont have too much commitement to kendo in the dojo, but these people are good for keeping some kind of sanity in the club members.

[Karaken]

Sinta, you wrote..

Problems was, that at the time I was living abroad and hopping from country to country. I could hardly find the time to be rooted to a dojo, much less find one.

I don't move much but if I do, Kendo dojo is probably most comfortable place you can find in a strange place and make friends real quick. Heck, they might help you to settle down as well.

For me I started Kendo as a replacement for health club. Those running machines were boring.. Now here I am after 6 years, I don't need motivation to go, I need more time to practice.

If I hear many people on this forum correctly, once you pass the stage of being a beginner ( Shodan? ), you are not going to have a problem motivating to go to dojo. Either you love it or you've already quit..

Take the center - keep it there..

[Sinta]

kendokamax:
Thanks for the advice about going as a group. I'm actually trying to get my brother and a cousin into it, so that they can drag me to training (kicking and screaming if they have to) when I'm not in the "mood". So far my brother seems interested in it. Who knows! It'll most likely be easier when I move to England next year. I guess I have also a bit of problem with the instructions all being in German (a language with which I only have 5 years of experience in). Thanks again ^-^

Karaken wrote:If I hear many people on this forum correctly, once you pass the stage of being a beginner ( Shodan? ), you are not going to have a problem motivating to go to dojo. Either you love it or you've already quit..

Really? Well I hope that's true. Coz I know I'm not going to quit. I heard it gets easier after being a beginner. When you got the basics down. Question is, when do you pass the stage of being a beginner? I've been into this kendo for 6 months now. Sure still 6th Kyu :) Thanks for the advice again.

[nodachi]

You never really pass the stage of beginner, potentially. You will always have things to correct and work on. Until you come home from a practice saying that I did everything well today, then you still have more to learn. The head sensei in my club can still give a list of things that the rokudan sensei in my club needs to work on. Thus, it is a good mentality to always consider oneself a beginner. That way you will always push yourself to correct your mistakes, ne?

I think it gets easier once you have been doing it for a few months. Then your muscles start to get stronger and instead of saying I need to fix EVERYTHING, you can concentrate on the bits and pieces that need to be fixed. Physically, kendo is difficult. I think it always will be. That challenge is what makes it fun. But the mental feeling of easiness that I get is from focusing on a few particular points each week in my practices. If you try to fix everything at once, it is all a mess. My brain goes nuts. If you try to correct one or two mistakes at a time, it is actually possible to fix them. Then when they are okay, you move on to one or two different mistakes. After a few weeks, years, decades, then you will be perfect!!! Or at least that is the goal. :)

[Lukas]

That's nice thread!
I was thinking to start simillar one myself as recently I have simillar problems -
after coming back home (1,5 hour in overcrowded train with angry and tired people like me coming back from work) I was so demotivated to take another hour by bus and trum for training (and this were Fridays!) that I stayed home sleeping.
But then everytime I get angry on myself - lazy man! Others COULD come why you couldn't!
Surely I am tired but anyway giving up leaves me bitter feeling.
I read on this Forum that people travel much larger distances and it takes them longer to go for keiko - then why I failed?!
Kendo is a harsh way but I understand that the most important is to keep going and stick to the routine of hard training. Since my training is only twice a week (in a city where I work) I decided to take one more training in another city (my home city, where I come back every day-140 km :( )
I remember that after every training for which I had to force myself to come I felt very proud of myself that this time I overcame my weekness.
What is more that as before training I was explaining myself that I am too tired to go - then after keiko I'm so fresh that can take a bike back home
;)

So two things which keep me going, apart from Kendo itself, is that I like that feeling afterwards - that I managed to survive and feel even better now and secondly - that my friends count on me to come, as we are teammates.

Uff, telling all that helped me, hope that will also help you :)

Regards
Lukas

[mingshi]

Question:

Is it necessary to get ROOTED in a particular dojo?

Seems like it's not gonna happen for me. I don't BELONG to any one in particular.

Thoughts?

[Sinta]

Originally posted by nodachi
You never really pass the stage of beginner, potentially. You will always have things to correct and work on.....After a few weeks, years, decades, then you will be perfect!!! Or at least that is the goal. :)

I know what you mean ;) I'm like that in things that people say I excel on, such as art. I still find myself learning something new and improving myself, I consider myself still a beginner. I guess with that perspective you're humbled and value each lesson taught.


Originally posted by Lukas
But then everytime I get angry on myself - lazy man! Others COULD come why you couldn't!
Surely I am tired but anyway giving up leaves me bitter feeling.......I remember that after every training for which I had to force myself to come I felt very proud of myself that this time I overcame my weekness.

I couldn't put it better. That's exactly how I feel. When I miss a class, I kick myself and beat myself to a pulp, with thoughts coming back, saying how weak I am. But when I do go, and take a bashing of a training, I feel proud that I was determined and got through it. I just wish my other side wasn't such a good arguer that it's always a battle before a class. But that's going to stop now.


Originally posted by mingshi
Is it necessary to get ROOTED in a particular dojo?

Out of the topic, but oh well. No I don't think it's necessary to be rooted in a particular dojo. I know of a 6. dan (or is it higher?) Swiss Kendoka who taught himself for 2 years before reaching 5th dan I believe.

But the camarade in the dojo does help encourage your kendo spirit. It's the friendship that is built within that also helps a kendoka learn and motivate himself to become better.

Also you become more active in Kendo when you're part of a dojo. My dojo might be hostinga kyotai soon, and I'm going to be the first ones willing to provide a hand. We also have a school sport week here, where kids from middle school, lower and high can try out kendo. Our senseis are supervising it but members can volunteer to help. We're getting a good lot of students signing up and helps promote our kendo and our club.

[Marine_Boy]

It is easy to become committed when at a young age. But when one gets older other factors do kick in like a naggy housewife:D

Not that I have that much commitment outside training at the moment, but I know that things will change in my lifestyle and when it does, I'll let you all know if I am still committed to MA. But I predict that I will.

Stan

[James]

Originally posted by Marine_Boy
there is also people that dont have too much commitement to kendo in the dojo, but these people are good for keeping some kind of sanity in the club members.


This is a good point, everyone can contribute to the dojo whatever their strengths are. Commitment with most of us will waver, or be tested by our personal/work - you know when it is a valid reason or you are just being lazy.


Originally posted by Marine_Boy
It is easy to become committed when at a young age. But when one gets older other factors do kick in like a naggy housewife:D


Get a wife who does kendo. They still nag about your oji-waza of course, sorry dear.

Mingshi, interesting question (rooted to dojo), deserves it's own thread.

james

[Sinta]

Originally posted by James


Get a wife who does kendo. They still nag about your oji-waza of course, sorry dear.


Interesting. I've been nagging my boyfriend to give Kendo a try ^-^ He actually does Karate Waduryu (I think that's how you spell it.. if not... sorrysorrysorry -_-~) At least I got him to agree to come with me when I visit the Bolton dojo this Easter... *hinthint to the ppl there* Don't let him get away!!! I think he'd be good at dojo :)

[Karaken]

Interesting.. I tell my wife and two daughters that they'll be so cute in white bogu but they think Kendo is something very Macho that Dad is clinging to - not to forget that he's a male..
Come to think of it, maybe they're right but not for being male but for being alive..

Keep the center..

[Inouye02]

Get a wife who does kendo. They still nag about your oji-waza of course, sorry dear.


hahahaa, now why would anybody want their wife to do kendo and nag them at that too ...isnt the home stuff urusai enough to begin with ??

[Inouye02]

i'm glad my wife doesn't do kendo , thats why i'm gone 3x's a week to nigeru from her monkuing ...hahahaha

[kendomushi]

All you need is a spouse that accepts you as you are. He/she might not like you spending time on kendo or might complain about your waza, but if they are upset about such a thing you have more problems than can be solved by a strong commitment to kendo.
Trust me, I've been through 3 bad marriages. :p

[Inouye02]

after 16 yrs , she better accept things now ..j/k she's cool she encourages me to go keiko, sometimes i take my son also

[Inouye02]

damn !!!! i gotta get her a aniversery gift too this week

[Marine_Boy]

But I'm not MARRIED!!!

[Old Warrior]

I guess I'm really lucky on this issue. The dojang is 5 minutes from my house and the class begins at 6:30PM. This means I'm gone and home before my wife notices I'm missing. And, the best part was when the boss said (after 4 mos./ 3days a week of classes) "Your clothes are fitting much better, you've really slimming down". Of course after 20+ years of marriage I think she's glad to get rid of me for a while, especially when I'm doing something healthy.

[Atama]

Migshi: "is it necessary to get rooted in a particular dojo?"

I don't belive it is as I have found that traveling to different dojo vastly improves my kendo.

As for the commitment thing, I have never had a problem getting myself to the dojo I love kendo and wish i could train 24/7.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Try adding a couple of kids into your life and see what your chances of training 24/7 are. Fortunately for me I have an understanding wife, so I get in twice a week practice plus 2 or 3 weekends per year.

[kendomushi]

You really do need to have a home or main dojo, to be rooted in one dojo for lack of a better pharse. But you also need to do as much traveling practice as you can get too. The more people you practice with the more you will grow in skill and confidence as a kendoka. This is a natuarl progression as in the idea of shu-ha-ri.
Shu - be rooted in one dojo, take everything your sensei teaches you as sacred and inviolable.
Ha - realize that you are not an exact copy of your sensei and and that some of what he does just doesn't work for you.
Ri - still value all that you have learned before but begin making your own path, your own understanding and approach to kendo that works best for you.
Only by having keiko with a wide variety of people can you find the insights to make this last stage happen. Even in kendo vairety is the spice of like. lol :p

[Sinta]

Originally posted by kendomushi
You really do need to have a home or main dojo, to be rooted in one dojo for lack of a better pharse. But you also need to do as much traveling practice as you can get too. The more people you practice with the more you will grow in skill and confidence as a kendoka. This is a natuarl progression as in the idea of shu-ha-ri.


Woo.. i must be going the right way for it then.. *looks at her list of dojos in countries to be visited ^-^*