MartialArtsGirl
I tried it at home.

I like the new icon!

Hey, MA Girl, I'm even newer to kendo than you are, I've just returned to practice at Shufukai in Randolph after being away for the summer. I'm just wondering, if you don't mind my asking, how long had you been practicing for before you took your first ranking test? (Sorry to read that it didn't go as well as you had hoped!) I'm not in any rush, to test, and I know it's probably different for everyone, but I just wanted a general idea of what to expect. Thanks!

You should look for KWC women shiai on youtube. They are really scary. tell me after if you think those girls can't take a guy

Sorry to hear about your men . This made me reconsider buying on-line and going myself to a kendo shop (even if it's in another country) to be properly measured or find something that actually fits. Its worth the wait and the money

If you train at Ken Zen tell Takako that Peter from Japan says hi.

edit: Actually, I think she trains at Shido-gakuen. Doh!

Hi! You should check out the book A New Earth By Eckart Tolle. It explains a lot about the ego, and your questions in the Zen attitudes thread. Best wishes

Oh, maybe... I will be in NJ next month, but I'm not sure I will have the time/energy to make it into NYC for iai practice @KenZen

Just noticed that you're in NYC. Just curious, do you practice at KenZen or Shidogakuin? Sometimes when I go home to visit my mother and brother in NJ, I stop off at KenZen for iai class with Parker Sensei. I've only met Shidogakuin's Kato Sensei at seminars.

Good for you MAG! I told you it wasn't going to be that bad. it's all about frame of mind. Adn if you loose you actually gain knowledge, insight & motivation... If you win you gain satisfaction that you practiced well & performed well.

Hey Mag, how was your tournament? I lost first round but almost won. It was fun my first time fighting that taikai as a yudansha(last year I played it as Mudansha & won first place)

My Ai-Jodan Match against an experienced San Dan ready to test for Yon Dan quite a few people thought eventually I would get the point since I was getting 2 to three one flags (I think all the Judges raised there flags at different times--just not all together lol)