Hi.

[Kendo-girl4000]

Hi,Im Krista.What's kendo like? My mom wont let me join until someone tells me.

[smith]

It's ace, which is to say, really cool, and if you start kendo you'll never want to stop. You get to run around a lot, yell a lot, hit people a lot (in the correct manner of course) and wear the coolest outfit in the known universe. What's not to like?

Tell your ma it's really safe.

[kendomushi]

Most of the people you will meet involved in kendo are very good, respectable, kind people who really love what they are doing and enjoy teaching others. In fact in all my years of doing kendo I've never met a "bad" person.
Practicing kendo gives you a sense of self discipline, respect for yourself and others, and confidence. Physically it can be both an aerobic and non-aerobic work out. Injuries beyond bruises and strains are rare. No one is going to be hitting at you until you are competent with the basics and your instructor feels you are ready.
It can help somepeople blow off stress in a socially acceptable way (sometimes we all just feel like hitting someone/something afterall). And no one uses a real sword against anyone at any time.
All in all, its a safe, healthy, low risk, enjoyable activity great for anyone of any age to be involved in.

[Kendo-girl4000]

Good, well im going to go try to talk mom into letting my join, after all the nearest Dojo to me is in Mattews, thats like a hour or 2 away.. i hope she lets me..:(

[smith]

Good luck kendo girl!

[Tato]

Idea!!!

Bring your mon to this forum, let her ask us, there is a bunch of fine people here who can answer her questions.

Rei

[Kendo-girl4000]

Umm.... Mom doesnt know how to use the computer. She's going to call the guy who owns the DoJo and ask him the questions!! i cant wait!:D

[nodachi]

Tell your mom it will focus you into a healthy activity that will keep you out of trouble... parents like those sorts of things since they worry sooo much, regardless of your age... :)

[munenmuso]

Tell your mom that people in a kendo dojo are good influences. Most of the them like in our dojo are either professionals with reputable positions in respectable fields, some of them are doctors, lawyers, soldiers and so so. No drug addicts!!!

[gill]

Let us know how you get on!

Gill

[Phlebas]

Hi Kendo-girl!

Welcome to the wonderful world of Kendo, if you are able to get your mother's permission. If you do, you will fall in love with this lifestyle... I certainly did.

There is a young girl at my practices (though not as young as you) and she is enjoying herself a lot. She seems a little shy so she doesn't use big kiai and hasn't felt her "fighting spirit" yet but this is only her fifth or sixth lesson. Remember to use your voice! Don't be shy. That's very important. I once heard someone say that Zen and Kendo have the same goal: the elimination of ego. Excessive self-conciousness will interfere with learning in Kendo, and I remember that little piece of advice helped me long ago. I hope it helps you too!

Enjoy Kendo! I hope your mom will let you try it.

[William Honda]

Kendo girl,

I’m glad to hear that your mom is checking out the dojo. It will be a commitment for you and your mom due to the drive. Show your mom the replies that you are getting. It shows the kind of good-heartedness and encouraging atmosphere you will be exposed to. You will meet a lot of good people and have lots of fun.

I’d like to also say that it is very safe (although it does not look that way to the lay person). I have not had any kind of major injury doing this.

If you stay with it long enough, you will also have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and find out that we are all really the same. We just grow up in different places.

William

[William Honda]

Oh yeah!

You get to hit boys.

William