What Kendo Means to Me

This is an evolutionary question, it's always changing with the times.
September 2009:
I joined TaeKwonDo to have something to do with my wife that we both enjoyed. Turns out that it cost way to much and she didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted her to. So be it, she told me that I should keep on doing it because she knew I liked it, and I did but not from those greedy people. I searched for other, more traditional schools and found Mudokwan. I talked to Park Sensei and joined. Why did I join though? Why did I start Kendo, Hiro asked me and my response was that I needed religion. Not some Buddhist prospective but something to dedicate myself to without question and find incite within.

That slowly evolved into something else, I needed get used to being told to do something without questioning the reasons behind it. I'm at times stubborn and jumping when being told to do something was what I needed for sometime. The second reason I was in kendo could be summed into Discipline.

The next turn, I noticed that my frustration was gone. I wasn't frustrated with life anymore, not so much that I needed to take it on a bamboo sword. I believe that was making me a better person, it was helping to make my frustration in life disappear. I was learning to take on certain life problems strategically and avoid some battles that didn't need metaphorically fought. Also giving me the confidence and strength the metaphorically slice down people without hesitation and choose my battles wisely.

Currently what does kendo mean to me? Or better, why am I still in kendo? It gives me a purpose in life, something to look forward to. Also there is a little 'Fight Club' in kendo too. To anyone that knows me they know I am a kendo fanatic at times, but to those who don't , well,.... they just don't know :) Kendo had become intertwined in almost all aspects of my life and i enjoy that very much. It by no means is the most important thing in my life but it stands to me to be very important.

Trail Running

I got off work about 6am from working all night and decided to take Sam to Southeastway Park for a run. I have a pretty good system down, I take a small leash and run it over my should and waist then snap it to another leash that is connected to a harness that he wears. He is doing very well about staying either on my right side or to my back when the path isn't large enough. We started about 7:30am right before light came through the trees. We followed a path as it ran next to the creek and then I make a choice to go into a clearing through the woods then out to a harvested corn field. We ran about a half mile up the field and back and when we came into the woods again I tripped over a root or treeling. I sprained my ankle good but kept going on it. We headed back along side the creek and Sam really did well. He' s a very agile dog and seems to really enjoy running even when it's 33deg outside :/ .

We ran for about 30 mins which is the usual, i don't have any idea what the distance was but I would guess about 3 miles. It's a good time to get out and go.

Part of the Mental

Here is to a full day of hiking with my 2yr old son. He's pretty good about truckin' along and I found out that he can climb the ladder on the big jungle gym and he does it just fine.

Here's to a good day of letting your mind enjoy life.

Missing More Kendo

Practicing 2 or 3 times a week by myself. I've been practicing short controlled stikes without any wasted movement. It's hard to tell if it is effective without a partner. If anyone has time and is available to practice at random time in Indianapolis, just let me know. My life has changed with kendo, as it should. Kendo is the way of the sword and it is a lifestyle.

Jogging Stats

3.5 Miles

9.15 36m.53s 5.69mph
9.19 33.27 6.28mph
9.26 33.3 6.35mph
9.30 30.3 6.89mph
10.7 30.53 6.80mph
10.13 30.12 6.95mph

Recent Activities

In class We're being taught to make a decision. Envision how we want our Kendo to be be before we practice. I get the impression that Hiro Sensei doesn't approve much of 'young' Kendo. He always refers to watching 8th dans, by which do not practice 'young' Kendo. This has been my focus for the past week. Small strikes, that are forward, powerful and to the point. No extra movement, no dodging to not get hit. Forwardness and strength.

An interesting question that I brought to Sensei. Is it acceptable to go to the gym and train for kendo. His reply seemed to be yes. What I have always heard from him was not to treat Kendo like a sport. So going to the gym to be better at kendo rides that line very closely. But, I have a better understanding of Kendo now that my body is able to complete the techniques necessary for the art.

I've managed to begin running. I have never been much of a runner, never more then a mile. Sometime last month I decided to go out. I managed to run 3.5miles in about 36mins. Though this may not seem like a lot for 'runners' but for me this is phenomenal. I've been running at least once a week since then, with our dog sam, and we have managed to bring the 3.5 miles into a 30m23s time. My goal here is to get under 30m and then increase the distance.

No luck on Kyudo practice. I keep trying though. I looked up the cost of the equipment and it totals around $700.00.

Kyudo

For some reason I am getting Highly interested in attempting Kyudo if Master Park would have me. I can't explain the itch but I'm being more drawn to it as the days go on.



I've never really been interested in Archery but this is different. Master Park only practices on Saturdays from what I understand, I wonder if I can manage having Saturdays off..... and Megan wouldn't mind.