Y'all are right...bogu=different world

[Morvran]

My bogu set came in late last week and I brought it into practice at our club today. Mondays are very informal, so even though I just brought it to get thoughts on the fit and make sure I was doing everything correctly, they told me to go ahead and wear it at practice.

You guys were right...it's a different world in bogu. First of all it just felt weird having all the stuff on. I felt uncoordinated and out of sorts during simple drills at first, and never did get completely comfortable with my movement. The men hits didn't hurt, but the kote hits were horrible. Very painful (many of them anyway), and I'm bruised and battered as I type this.

Most interesting though was the brief moment of claustrophobia I got after a quick by intense drill. I was very tired, and suddenly felt like I needed to get the men off my head and get air...not so easy with everything tied on lol. The moment/feeling passed quickly though and didn't come back.

So anyway, long to short, it's definitely a different sort of kendo in bogu. I liked it, but it made me respect the movements and footwork more, and actually caused me to want to *not* wear it until I'm better prepared...well I'll wear it on Mondays with our small group, if just so others have another body to hit, but I'm in no rush to get into it in formal practices. I'm ready to wait. :happy:

Oh, and I'm getting a wrist guard. Ow.

[Ignatz]

. . .I liked it, but it made me respect the movements and footwork more, and actually caused me to want to *not* wear it until I'm better prepared...well I'll wear it on Mondays with our small group, if just so others have another body to hit, but I'm in no rush to get into it in formal practices. I'm ready to wait. :happy:

Oh, and I'm getting a wrist guard. Ow.
You are on the horse now so why don't you just stay on it? The only way you will get used to it is by doing it regularly.
Don't give up.

[joekc6nlx]

You guys were right...it's a different world in bogu. First of all it just felt weird having all the stuff on. I felt uncoordinated and out of sorts during simple drills at first, and never did get completely comfortable with my movement. The men hits didn't hurt, but the kote hits were horrible. Very painful (many of them anyway), and I'm bruised and battered as I type this.

Most interesting though was the brief moment of claustrophobia I got after a quick by intense drill. I was very tired, and suddenly felt like I needed to get the men off my head and get air...not so easy with everything tied on lol. The moment/feeling passed quickly though and didn't come back.

So anyway, long to short, it's definitely a different sort of kendo in bogu. I liked it, but it made me respect the movements and footwork more, and actually caused me to want to *not* wear it until I'm better prepared...well I'll wear it on Mondays with our small group, if just so others have another body to hit, but I'm in no rush to get into it in formal practices. I'm ready to wait. :happy:

Oh, and I'm getting a wrist guard. Ow.

Not to say we told you so, but.....We told you so.....:smiley:

You may have felt breathless because you were feeling the weight of your do on your chest. You have to remember to breathe, and that's not always easy to remember, especially when you're getting whacked on the head, and you can't seem to get enough air. It takes a bit of getting used to, it was the same for me, and now it's just part of kendo. Imagine if you were a samurai and had to wear not only your yoroi, but also that uncomfortable mask over your face.

If your wrist is hurting from strikes to kote, are you sure your partners are hitting in the correct spot? They shouldn't be hitting on the hand, just on the buton. But, if you feel it's needed, by all means, get a wrist guard. Better to have it on and feel a little uncomfortable with it than to keep getting hurt every time some newb hacks at your wrist.

[k3narki]

First of all, congradulations on your first training day with bogu!

Everything you mentioned in your post, pretty much all of us can relate to. Especially the part regarding co-ordination and fundamentals. From reading your post, your bogu is still new so once it's broken into, things should be abit more comfortable for you.

Here are some links to breaking your bogu.
http://www.halifaxkendo.org/men.html
http://www.chibabogu.com/catalog/information.php?info_id=14

[JSchmidt]

You need to make sure that the kote is shaped to fit you, by adjusting the kote-him.
Too loose, and it will do nothing to protect, same goes with too tight.
Talk to some of the seniors in your dojo and get them to help you out.

Jakob

[Morvran]

Ayep, I haven't adjusted it yet, and nothing is broken in (except my wrist lol), so I'll work on adjustments this week. Regarding the kote hits, I was definitely hit iin the wrong spot a few times, in the gap between thumb and first finger, though I think at least once it was on purpose b/c I'd hit him there. The other times were all just above my wrist, right on the bone. I'll see what adjustments I can make.

Part of the reason I felt uncoordinated too is that my skin tore a bit again on my left foot and could tell that I was favoring it at times.

But anyway, Ignatz I'm not going to stop, I just respect the footwork more. My advantage is that my Monday group is one where I can wear it and get experience with it, while my Thursday group is a completely different group of people, and I'm not in bogu there...actually no one wears it on Thu. anyway b/c their bogu practice is on Saturdays. Thus are for beginners and technique.

[hunnysan]

much congrats to you...and keep on trucking

[bullet08]

for your wrist problem.. if you are just being target for others, turn your wrist in when the strike comes so you will recieve it on the meaty side of the wrist. get the wrist guard that really helps. when in ji-geiko.. i don't think you want to let someone hit your wrist. make sure not to give opening to your wrist. keep center, and do not let them see your men.

pete

[Morvran]

for your wrist problem.. if you are just being target for others, turn your wrist in when the strike comes so you will recieve it on the meaty side of the wrist. get the wrist guard that really helps. when in ji-geiko.. i don't think you want to let someone hit your wrist. make sure not to give opening to your wrist. keep center, and do not let them see your men.

pete

Aye thanks...this is from kote drills where I'm providing a clean target.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Aye thanks...this is from kote drills where I'm providing a clean target.There are no kote I'm aware of that provide adequate protection against repeated kote drills, especially if beginners are involved. If I know we're doing those, I get out my pad.

[tango]

+1 (to Neil's statement)

[Morvran]

First of all, congradulations on your first training day with bogu!

Everything you mentioned in your post, pretty much all of us can relate to. Especially the part regarding co-ordination and fundamentals. From reading your post, your bogu is still new so once it's broken into, things should be abit more comfortable for you.

Here are some links to breaking your bogu.
http://www.halifaxkendo.org/men.html
http://www.chibabogu.com/catalog/information.php?info_id=14

I just noticed that you'd provided links...I already had the halifax document, but I couldn't remember where I'd seen info on the kote, and that's the one! Thank you!

[egtirello]

I remeber when I first go in bogu thet my wirst were all bruised from kote drills, but for now I rarely get one hit that hurts like that( althoug kote always feel hard, specially with beginners hitting you ), I think that you need to create some resistance(?) to the hits.

[LarsCW]

Congratulations on your first practise in bogu.

I'm about 6 months in bogu yet and in not too much time you'll get used to it.

Just as Neil mentioned if you know you are target for longer time then get a pad on cause your kote won't protect enough, I've learned the hard way and had to cool my hand and wrist with ice packs to get the swelling out before the next practise on thursday.

It got even worse hit that practise when a sempai decided to tell me I was holding my kote wrong once taking a hit.

No pain no gain, I clearly learned the hard way:D

[NGeorge]

Morvran,

Are you starting to get used to the Bogu yet?

[Frame]

Most interesting though was the brief moment of claustrophobia I got after a quick by intense drill. I was very tired, and suddenly felt like I needed to get the men off my head and get air...not so easy with everything tied on lol. The moment/feeling passed quickly though and didn't come back.
.

Aye, had this same thing when i started, but it passes and when i stopped for a week due to coursework i remember putting my men on and thinking "oooh yeah, i'm home"

[thirdegreesidek]

Hello Joe, I am interested in your program there or the one in Monroe Ohio. Could you give mew a time to speak with you in person. A location of your club from Cincinnati i 75 etc.

Thanks thirdegreesidek

[Morvran]

Morvran,

Are you starting to get used to the Bogu yet?

Just had my second bogu practice last night, and everything went much better. The dojo was hot and muggy, and the floor was sticky, but I didn't get that claustrophobic feeling this time. I actually felt great in it. I think it also helped that I'd broken in my men a bit and the men buton was not impeding my arms anymore. I think having a week of good fundamentals practice (sans bogu) boosted my confidence.

I picked up a wrist support thingy at a sporting goods store, but I forgot to put it on before we started. Kote drills hurt alot again, but I think it's mainly b/c of one guy who seems to just bash my wrists like he's trying to take my hand off...or trying to shock the shinai out of my hand. Either way, I won't forget the guard again next week lol. Though I'm not bruised today like I was last week.

[digitalthinker]

I just received my bogu on Saturday and had two practice sessions since which involved the usual drills and then a whole load of keiko.

I have to say, I too have found it to be a whole new world as everything I knew suddenly flew out the window. That, and the fact that there's now someone throwing strikes back at me makes for a whole new experience. My judgement of distance too has suffered a bit as I can no longer wear my glasses under the men so I might need some time to get used to fighting "blind".

I thought one of my primary weaknesses during the keiko was coordination of movement, it didn't feel like the whole body responded together. Would anyone reccommend any kind of activity to try to get used to all the extra equipment and different range of mobility, or should I just wear the bogu for a couple of days straight until it becomes second nature? (Picture armored kenshi going grocery shopping for the image I'm trying to portray :D).

[Lloromannic]

There are ways to wear glasses. You can get one of the thin titanium frames. Several bogu vendors sell frames made for use within the men too.

[digitalthinker]

It might be a bit out of my price range as the bogu itself put me back a bit ;)

I was thinking of just sucking it up and getting contacts, although I'm a bit paranoid of playing with my eyes.

[Lloromannic]

If you can get contacts go for it.

[Kitsune]

So anyway, long to short, it's definitely a different sort of kendo in bogu. I liked it, but it made me respect the movements and footwork more, and actually caused me to want to *not* wear it until I'm better prepared...well I'll wear it on Mondays with our small group, if just so others have another body to hit, but I'm in no rush to get into it in formal practices. I'm ready to wait. :happy:

Oh, and I'm getting a wrist guard. Ow.

Congratz!
Like Ignatz said, stay on it you'll get used to it. The first time I was like you, but, things will change and you'll see that sooner than later you'll be so fine that you won't practice without bogu again

[jediado]

I just received my bogu on Saturday and had two practice sessions since which involved the usual drills and then a whole load of keiko.

I have to say, I too have found it to be a whole new world as everything I knew suddenly flew out the window. That, and the fact that there's now someone throwing strikes back at me makes for a whole new experience. My judgement of distance too has suffered a bit as I can no longer wear my glasses under the men so I might need some time to get used to fighting "blind".

I thought one of my primary weaknesses during the keiko was coordination of movement, it didn't feel like the whole body responded together. Would anyone reccommend any kind of activity to try to get used to all the extra equipment and different range of mobility, or should I just wear the bogu for a couple of days straight until it becomes second nature? (Picture armored kenshi going grocery shopping for the image I'm trying to portray :D).

After a good deal of practice you'll get used to moving in it and your form outside of bogu will slowly come into swing while in bogu. If you do bogu practice a lot weekly you'll get used to it a lot faster.

[Kitsune]

There are ways to wear glasses. You can get one of the thin titanium frames. Several bogu vendors sell frames made for use within the men too.


You can also use carey frames like me, plastic or some nice contacts.... Anyway, the men is really good, so you won't have any problem with your glasses anyway.

[Alison2805]

contacts work fine for me. Kendo is the only time I wear the damn things! The only irk about them is my eyes sting if sweat runs into them.

[nodachi]

The sweat in the eyes will sting whether you have contacts or not... although rare for me, I hate it when it happens...

[Neil Gendzwill]

Contacts are the best solution, cheapest too unless you have astigmatism. Kitsune, the quality of the men doesn't have anything to do with whether or not glasses will fit - most peoples glasses just don't fit. If you have an old pair you can try removing the arms and replacing them with a strap. You might need to jury rig something on the bridge to keep them from being jammed into your face - commercial frames for the men either clamp onto the inside or have a strap and a bar attached to the bridge to keep them away from your face.

[Kitsune]

Wish I could say that contacts are the cheapest solution here in Chile...:disapp: Yes are the best solution, but for now glasses for me are allright

[Neil Gendzwill]

Wish I could say that contacts are the cheapest solution here in Chile...:disapp: Yes are the best solution, but for now glasses for me are allrightGet fitted for your contacts by your optometrist and buy your first set there. Once you have the brand and specifications, you can buy them over the internet for cheap, lots of good reliable suppliers.

[Kitsune]

Well, Thanx for the tip, but if I get a pair here in Chile would be for good (I don't use disposable contacts but the others) and I already used them in my life (being using since I was 14) but they're really, really expensive now (240 US dolars more or less)

But I'll have them but not now cos I don't have the money (I went to my doc to have my order to make them, don't worry):D

[Neil Gendzwill]

I don't use disposable contacts but the othersWhy not use disposables? They are available now even for people with astigmatism although I believe not in the daily wear version. I have astigmatism and use the "one month" disposables, but seeing as I only use them for kendo I get at least 6 months out of each pair. You can get a box of 6 pairs of toric disposables for around $CDN120 through the internet. The advantage of them is that they are more comfortable and if you lose or damage a pair it's not that big a deal - just open up the next package.

[Kitsune]

Cos I can not use contacts all day long I had an injury that made me use glasses again and my doc said you can only use contacts 8 hours a day no more cos your eyes would not resist more hours and I now that disposals are 24/7 so I can not use it anymore.

I only have short-sightedness so I don't have problems to have the others the ones I can use just 8 hours a day (perfect for training)

[Neil Gendzwill]

Cos I can not use contacts all day long I had an injury that made me use glasses again and my doc said you can only use contacts 8 hours a day no more cos your eyes would not resist more hours and I now that disposals are 24/7 so I can not use it anymore.There's no rule that says you have to wear disposables 24/7. I put mine in, go to kendo practice, take them out again, maybe 3 hours total. I have them in a total of 6 or 7 hours each week. Like you, I can't stand contacts for work.

If you are simply near-sighted, disposables are cheap as dirt through the net.

[Kitsune]

Great then I'm going to ask... Hut one more thing how long I can use them util I have to throw them away and do you have to buy a set or you have to buy them a pair a month

[Neil Gendzwill]

The daily disposables come anywhere from 10 to 90 lenses in a box. As for how long you can use them, it's up to you and how comfortable they feel. Like I said, with the monthly ones I get about 6 months with just kendo practices. I'm sure you could get a few kendo practices out of a pair of the dailies.

Here's an example of one of the many web suppliers (http://www.visiondirect.com/).

[Kitsune]

Excelent thank you very much!

[DarQik]

I was thinking of just sucking it up and getting contacts, although I'm a bit paranoid of playing with my eyes.I was terrified too, but glasses were too much of a pain for sports so I did the contacts route. It really was not the horror I expected it would be. You get used to it. Start slow a couple hours a day to get used to them and practice putting them in and out. Stay clean, follow the procedures, and you'll be nice and safe. (Don't overwear them, let them dry out on your eyes, etc. Basically, don't do bad things.)

The disposables do sound nice. It's not much fun to lose a $100 lense and go crawling around the floor for it. It's been years since I wore some (lasik). I wore soft lenses, and tried a couple sample pairs of disposables. I recall that they felt a lot softer/watery than the soft contacts. The reuse issue is about build-up and durability. You don't want stuff growing on the lenses and getting in your eyes. If you only use them occassionally and sterilize them for storage, you should be able to use them for quite a while.

The optometrist should teach you everything you need to know about contacts when you purchase them and answer any questions you have. (Then take the perscription and shop around.)

[digitalthinker]

I'll deffinitely have to look into it then. Fighting a blurry opponent isn't so bad, but I can't seem to judge distance nearly as well. I'll give it a few more practice sessions to see if I can get used to it, otherwise it might be time to see ye olde optometrist.

Thanks for all the great info folks!

[DarQik]

Fighting a blurry opponent isn't so bad, but I can't seem to judge distance nearly as well. I'll give it a few more practice sessions to see if I can get used to itI'm sure you can adapt to it.:wink: I'll tell you this, before contacts I did some sports playing blurry just fine, and it was quite an adjustment to get used to the clarity when I got contacts. Sometimes it still feels odd to see the court lines clearly...

[bullet08]

so far i have not had any issue with wearing glasses and men. when i ordered my bogu, i told them that i wear glasses, and requested that men should fit with glasses on. and it feel just fine with my frame and my men. only thing is when i'm not moving around, it gets foggy.

pete

[digitalthinker]

I initially tried wearing glasses, and it fits but if for any reason the men shifts, then my nose will feel it. I also had the problems of fogging up. Guess at that point I wasn't able to see much of the opponent at all :D