Drive vs. Karate first?

[Drew Waits]

Well it appears that I am just out of luck. Yeah there are 3 dojos within quick driving distance of me is that Karate outlet, the place that wants me to hand over 6 years of my life before I could even start Iaido, and the 3rd only offers infrequent seminars. So I'm bone. The closest real Iaido dojo is an hour away and I'm not sure I can make that haha. What do you guys think? using a book or going for the hour drive?

[rottunpunk]

I would go for 1 hour drive and see what you think.

real life over a dojo is much preferable...unless its terry pratchett.

But have a talk with the far away dojo, and see what they say and what they are like.
If you can get a club name/details put them on here to see if anybody else has experience with them.

If you want to do iai material things like money and time and distance should not get in the way
good luck

[pgsmith]

The closest real Iaido dojo is an hour away and I'm not sure I can make that haha. What do you guys think? using a book or going for the hour drive?

I would advise against starting with a book. Japanese swordsmanship is NOT a natural act. The muscles used and the way you use them for proper sword use are not used for much else in our modern society. This is why people say that you will develop bad habits trying to learn on your own. In my opinion, you would be much better off if you talked to the sensei that is an hour away, and work out how to make it there for his class as often as possible. Then you can get a book or video that the instructor recommends and use it as a training aid to help you remember what you've been taught rather than to try and learn on your own. It is possible to learn correctly in this way, although it will take you a lot longer than being able to attend training regularly.

An hour's drive is not that bad for good instruction. It's 48 miles from my house to my dojo. Let us know what dojo you are talking about, and chances are we can tell you whether it is worth the drive or not.

P.S. An hour is easier than moving to Japan, which is what several people that I know did for good training.

[Drew Waits]

I suppose you are right, and I have monthly business in that direction that doesn't have a set time so possibly I could hit two birds with one stone. The name of the place is Virginia Beach Kendo & Iaido. The headmaster is Jon Anderson. It's licensed by the SEUSKF, so its sponsored by them. But does anyone have firsthand experience with this dojo?

[dillon]

As the SEUSKF is a regional affiliate of the AUSKF, that should be a very good lead. As you said, you can go out for business as well so not really taking you too far out of the way so that really would cinch the deal for me assuming I like the practice (do have a look before starting).

If regular attendance will be patchy because travel will be difficult then you can bring this up with the sensei. Maybe he knows somewhere closer he can recommend or give you "homework" for when you can't make it to practice. 99.99% of the kendo/iaido practitioners out there have a life outside of the arts and will understand that real life comes first (but budo definitely comes before loafing around and making excuses).

So go have a look, good luck and let us know what you think!

[Drew Waits]

I will! If I ever get an email back from the Sensei! Haha. I found their facebook page too so hopefully I can get in touch with the younger members as well.

[Kendoka]

Drive for 20 minutes.