Park Kendo

[Kenshi]

I have not found a dojo in my area for my age group 15 and over but I have found parks giving lessons for my age group is it a good idea to sign up and would I be trained the same as if I was in a dojo ????

[nodachi]

I would say that you never know until you go and see for yourself. The location is not so important as the teaching that you are recieving. The footwork will feel a little different, but I say give it a shot. See who is there and their qualifications and if you like the atmosphere. Then decide.

[Inouye02]

where you from kenshi ?

[Winter_Wolf]

Hi,
Kenshi, i'm close to 15 (16, but oh well!!) and I've been able to train at the YMCA w/ a bunch of older guys, so are you sure you have to be the same age as the people you train with? Oh yeah... what's park kendo? (if it's kendo in a park outside then i'm gonna hit myself).
Thanks,
W.W.

[Kenshi]

Yes it is kendo in a park and i would have no problem practicing with people older than me its just that i dont know if im old enough to join i have sent e-mails to some dojo's and they have not emailed me back :(

[Kenshi]

I would also like to add the fact that I am a begineer and I think it would be easier for me to practice with other begineers

[Neil Gendzwill]

Don't sweat it, 15 is a perfect age to start kendo. People start older and younger but I don't think any dojo will have a problem with a 15 year old starting. Makes it easier in some ways, it's not hard integrating a 15 year old into a mostly adult club but try doing it with an 8 year old!

What you should do is call them up. Not everyone in the kendo world is comfortable with email even if they have an account. Find out when they practice and ask permission to come watch. Decide for yourself if it's something you want to continue with.

[sminki]

Don't forget to take some time to do due diligence on the person who would be your teacher. Ask him/her whether there's any association with your regional kendo federations, his/her rank, background, etc. Be nice and polite about it, obviously. Just make sure the would-be-teacher is not one of these self-proclaimed samurai grandmaster ninja friend of Bruce Lee types.

[Old Warrior]

"samurai grandmaster ninja friend of Bruce Lee type"

Now, that is something even I could aspire to achieve.

[Kenshi]

Thank you for your help :)

[Inouye02]

you can always look the Dojo up over the internet if you dont want to ask , if it's in the US it should be under AUSKF..

[OneTrunks]

wow... I'm just considering getting into kendo, I'm fifteen, and what's the first thing I read on these forums? "15 is a great age for starting kendo"
sweet

[kendomushi]

Any age when you are able to try to do what you are told, and follow instructions is a good age to start kendo. One of the dojo I go to here has children as young as 5 in the class. Then again I have met 40 year olds who cannot behave and participate, they were still too young to start kendo.

[OneTrunks]

he he. thats funny. I know people like that. I'm generally pretty good at following directions. plus, that's one of the reason's I'm interested in starting - trying to improve my reflexes and such physically (and mentally, for that matter)(and beleive me... the way things happen at my school, good reflexes would be helpful... too many people have randomly tripped and fallen on me :hurt: )