Comments for Older Newbies to Kendo

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Sep 13, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Kendo as a way to bond with family.
by: michelle

Thanx for sharing your dad`s story and inspiring all of us newcomers to kendo who are a little older.

I started to learn about kendo cuz my sons -13 and 16 - are interested but they have had no training - so I thought if I could teach them summa the real philosophies and etiquette as well as learning some proper training methods, that they would gain self-awareness and develop more self-discipline. 

The more I learn about kendo though - the more I wanna learn it for myself. I just had my 40th birthday - n - I think learning something completely new to me now will keep my spirit feeling young and give me a way to stay connected to my sons. 

I?m a single mom -n- I have tried my best to raise my kids with respect of self and others - but after moving 5 years ago from an urban community where single moms are the norn to a small city where we are either pitied or shunned - we could all use a way of getting our focus back to accepting who we are - both strengths and weaknesses.

I hope we can learn to practice kendo with respect for what it really is and gain new insights about ourselves and each other through our learning process.  I?m glad to hear Hiro?s dad?s story and how they shared something they both love.

Kendo-Guide.Com: Thank you for your comment. And I have to say, 40 is not old!

Kendo surely gives me strength and it always tells me the right path. It is hard for me to live as kendo teaches me but it surely helps me a lot. I am sure it does the same to you and you sons.

My father was a good kendo mate of mine.  And he was a good sempai of life. I still think what he would tell me to do when I encounter a problem.

My father taught me a lot through his attitudes towards kendo, even though he was way behind me, technique wise.  Your sons will learn from your attitudes towards kendo. You don?t have to tell them. They look at you and follow your teachings that you show them through your kendo learning process.

And welcome to the kendo world!
Jul 19, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Do
by: RR

Onegaishimasu!

As it is my sudden visit to your site, and having just a few minutes before my first training today - a mix of breathing exercises, unpo movements with breathing the Jikishinkage way... -

I will just add to many beautiful remarks already put here a short notice: the first forty years represent our childhood, the second the adolescence and the third forty years are meant to be maturation: all three stages being just the introduction to life.

Do not hesitate to begin or to continue anything you deeply feel having the quality of truly being alive. Moreover, do not make excuses and even do not try - just do, trying to improve with every minute, working consciously, cutting your own ego so deeply that it touches the soul.

Domo arigato gozaimashta

Kendo-Guide.Com: Thank you for your comment. Your comment is not only for those who are wanting to start kendo at their older age but for everyone of us.

Looking for and making excuses not to do what we want to do and what we have to do.

I am sure that your comment encourages many people.
Jul 17, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		thanks
by: chiara

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement and for giving your different perspectives on this.

Best wishes

Chiara
Jul 16, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Dusting Off an Old Comment...
by: Santiago B Tejada

When I first read the article about your father on June 15, 2008, I commented:

"Hiro,
Very nice article about your father Mr. Shigesaburo Imafuji. May his soul rest in peace. I will use his example as my guidance since I started practicing kendo a year and a half ago (I am 54 years old now.)

I?m certainly very passionate about ?the way of the sword? and as well as your father did I have read many books, manuals and articles about it and collect many instructional videos. It certainly helps me the fact that I have always practiced other forms of martial arts since very young age, but the love for the art is the strongest force behind it.

Once again thank you very much for the contribution you are making by bringing Kendo to all of us who may not even have proper conditions nor cultural environment to live the way of the sword. Keep it coming because we are listening, practicing and learning from your teachings as well as others.

Best regards,..."

Today in July 2009 at 55 years old I still continue to practice Kendo like there is no end ahead of me. Practice it and enjoy it.

Kendo-Guide.Com: Again, thank you. You always encourage me with your message.

Jul 15, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Older newbies
by: Tim

I have just started Kendo aged 50. In the last 5 years, I did very little in the way of exercise.
For me getting fit is the goal, and kendo allows me to do this as it is interesting and also gets your brain working as well.
This is what gives me the motivation to put the effort in to the lesson. It is hard but enjoyable and fun. Good luck

Kendo-Guide.Com: Thank you for your comment. Kendo indeed does make us think a lot. Kendo stimulates our brains. I think that is one of the most interesting aspects of kendo.
Jul 15, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Kendo Oldie
by: Tony

I started Kendo at 38 without any previous physical activity and, of course, it was and still is hard training for me. I lose my breath faster, use more elbow and kote pads and complain more about bruises than the other 20-year-olds in the dojo. But overall this hasn't been an impediment.

I have noticed an advantage though. I don't want to prove myself, I have some age-related wisdom and can be more patient than the youngsters, and this has helped me advance in unexpected ways.

Use your age to your advantage, I know this can be done in Kendo.

Kendo-Guide.Com: Another good comment. Thank you! Kendo is not only about physical endurance and strength. That is why many people in different age groups can enjoy kendo and train together. I think it is one of the beauties of kendo. :)
Jul 01, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Conditioning
by: John M.

In addition to the comments already left, I can share with you my experience. I started Kendo at age 47; wasn't terribly in bad shape - had given up Karate about 7 years before.

But the key for me in Kendo training was additional conditioning that I also did every week to supplement kendo practice. In fact, Kendo was the motivation to go to the fitness center for additional conditioning. Two other aspects was going to Kendo regularly (without missing as much as possible) and positive motivation.

Some Kendoka I see who are older, it seems to me are held back because of poor conditioning. So adding some extra conditioning will really help, as it seems you are already doing. You also display a very positive outlook which is really good. Good luck and Gambatte!

Kendo-Guide.Com: Thank you for leaving a warm gambatte comment. For me, it is very important to go to the gym as well because I cannot train regularly, especially with my bad shoulders, back and knee.
Jul 01, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		feedback for your answer
by: chiara

Thank you very much for responding to my question and thank you particularly for sharing your Father's inspiring Kendo journey. It sounds like he was a very special person indeed and his story has certainly changed how I should think of myself at the beginning of such a journey and not regard myself as too old to achieve anything significant.

Now all I need to do is find a Dojo!

Kendo-Guide.Com: Thank you for your comment. To me my father was a good example of how I should live. And I sometimes ask myself, ?what would he say to me now??, when I face a difficulty. I am glad that his story inspires you. I am sure that he would be very happy too.

Good luck with finding a dojo!
Jul 01, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Welcome to Kendo
by: Juan

Don't worry about age or physical condition, as soon as you start to train you will know your limitations.

I'm 40 and I have been doing Kendo for 5 years. I wasn't very fit at first but you will find out that the more you do it, the stronger you get.

Kendo will be a great choice. Welcome.

Kendo-Guide.Com: Thank you for your warm welcoming. And I would like to welcome you to the kendo world. Welcome!

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