new to kendo new to site!

[De Rosier]

Hi my name is Sarah I am 21 years old, I live in the United States and in the state of Missouri. I am very new to Kendo I have heard of it and seen it like once (at a Japanese festival in St.Louis,MO) but other then that I don't really know to much. I am really into other cultures and I like getting involved in sports activites so that I can learn more about cultures. I would like to get involved in Cricket as well as Japanese Archery (lol but I can't seem to remember what the name of that is maybe someone can help me out)
Anyway if anyone can tell me some information on Kendo and maybe why you personaly like that would be cool information to read. Also just out of coursity, can one get health benfits out of Kendo and if so what are they? the only reason I ask is I notice everytime you go to Karate school, just looking to see what its like I notice that they always try and tell you what kind of health benfits you can get by practicing the sport. lol I guess to try and persuade you more to join the Dojo (not exactly sure on that). I know I will have a fun time on the boards and hopefully this site will help further me in persuing Kendo even more so.

[Charuzu]

Welcome to Kendo-world Sarah ^o^

The art of japanese archery is Kyodo. Rather rare ^_^

I am not a kendoka but I do study Kenjutsu and Batto-jutsu. And I can tell you that I love it with all my heart. I think that you will really enjoy it.
If you don't mind me asking what dojo are you going to?

Also, It has many health benifits. You gain agility, you notice more and you improve your self-image (Still working on that last one though) ^o^
Their are many more but it seems like their are too many to list. However, I can tell you that it will not help you with thing like self-defence.... well anyway
Good Luck !!!!
ヽ（＾ヮ＾*） ノ

[nebosuke]

Just a quick correction, archery is kyudo.

[Charuzu]

Just a quick correction, archery is kyudo.

He he.... Butterfinger typer.... lazy reviewer. Lol, someone should hit me as if I said Nullpo... 笑

[CircleofQuiet]

Hi Sara,

I study kendo, iaido, and aikido. I have found the kendo greatly enhances a cardio work out and of course the mind and spirit. You wrote you were interested in kyudo, so I thought you might find this link interesting.

http://www.indianakyudorenmei.org/

-Jeff

[joekc6nlx]

Hi Sara,

Did you by chance see the demonstration this past week at the St. Louis Botanical Gardens? If you did, which day were you there? You would have seen Shawn McGlough hosting our demonstration. I was the "visitor" from Ohio.

You can reach Shawn by e-mail - mokendodojo@yahoo.com
His dojo is located at Alaska and Walsh, on the northwest corner, the dojo is called Kickmasters. You should be able to find the number in the phone book.

Welcome to kendo, we're glad you were inspired to try it out by watching a demonstration, rather than some movie like "The Last Samurai". Kendo is a great cardiovascular activity, you normally get a really good workout during class. You don't have to be big and powerful, the key to kendo is timing, not strength. I've seen very old kendoists who made younger opponents look silly, simply because they knew the right timing and the proper strike to use.

[SkippyDaStudent]

I know some people from our dojo went to the St. Louis Botanical Gardens demonstration.

But in response to De Rosier's initial request, I happen to study kendo, iaido, and a dash of jodo. I've been doing so for a little over three months now. I started taking them because I was very interested in the Japanese culture. Now don't get me wrong, I still love the Japanese culture, but the reason I continue practicing kendo, iaido, and jodo is for the continual improvement I see in myself as a human being. I've had good friends comment on the change in my behavior ever since I started practicing kendo, iaido, and jodo. I've always been one of those weird people who enjoy learning, and with kendo, iaido, and jodo, there is always room for new learning and improvement. That is what I think keeps me coming back, most of all.

And the people don't suck, which is a bonus. :silly:

[De Rosier]

lol well in attempt to asnswer all the questions as good as possible, no I don't have a speciific dojo I am going to. Unfourently the nearist one to me is 2 hours away in KC,MO. I am thinking I might try and do some research on the sport before hand and then try to join the Dojo up there next semester. Since I am pretty busy with school work right now.Just out of coursity CircleofQuiet is that the clooset Kyudo dojo to MO or do you know if there anre any in the state of Missiouri. And to answer the other question yes I did see shawn and I think I remember you from the festival as well joekc6nlx. I most say I was very impressed with the deminstartion I think i was there on Sunday lol I would have loved to do more of the festival but being a college student it would put a real damper on my budget if I went for two days or the whole thing. (espcially since both me and my mother went and I paid for the both of us).

I honestly did know a little bit about Kendo before I saw the deminstartion at the Gardens from Anime shows. I kind of got the impression that a lot of schools in Japan do Kendo kind of like how we do Basketball and Football (by that I mean extra cricular sports in the school)
Hopefully once I get a lighter lod of classes and a better means of transportation I will be able to go up to the Dojo in KC.