About this blog..

This is a blog that I started in April 2006, just after I first put on my bogu (kendo armour). It collects the advices given by more experienced kendo practitioners as well as those from my own experiences. Both technical and the mental aspects of kendo are written in the blog. I hope someone will find them useful or interesting at least!

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Recent progress


Previously, I mentioned in the article on passing my 3rd Dan the things I wanted to work on. From then on, I have been working on these skills. Indeed, the foundation to all possible improvements are the kihon kills built up before now, for example, footwork, kamae, simple men/kote/do strikes, and kirikaeshi, etc. So, I sincerely advice all beginners to work on them step-by-step patiently and persistently. Especially, for the adult beginners, who usually tend to THINK more than to DO, sometimes you just have to switch off your brain and follow what the sempais and senseis are telling you. Perhaps, my past articles on kihon (basic) practice would help.

Recently I've become more aware of how my body postures can affect my striking range and the various wazas. No wonder athletes or students on sport sciences can learn kendo faster, because they are trained to understand and use their bodies well. Other people might start late, but with determination and perseverance they can still succeed.

Now when watching senseis or sempais fighting, there are things I can see which just didn't register in my mind before.

Kendo has just become more and more interesting.

To whose who find it difficult to make to the training for whatever reasons, please don't give up and keep on practising!!