SJI dojo training 28.02.09

I always wonder why Arif really likes to think of himself as "the Kendoka who trains mentally. Mental training? For those of you who have read my last post (about Sasaki-sensei), it is stated that Kendo is a mental pursuit instead of a physical one. Arif is one guy who likes to read suff like the Book of Five Rings and the Life Giving Sword. He studies them deeply in order to absorb what he has learnt in his body.

I'm not trying to be rude or trying to belittle him or whatsoever, but how come he did very badly during the recent grading? If Kendo is a mental pursuit, then how come someone so obsessed with the philosophy of Kendo can do very badly in a simple 4th Kyu grading examination?

This has led me to believe that us, as beginners, should train in the physical sense as much as possible. Do as many cuts as possible, stamping, ashisabaki, until all those things become second nature to us. Until our body strengthens and becomes accustomed to moving like that. Once we reach a certain point where it seems as if we can't improve in our Kendo no matter how hard we try, then only we delve into this philosophy and stuff.

So. About training. The grandpa of the dojo was around! Abul! He introduced a couple of new exercises on our training menu that he had learnt during his time in Japan. One involved doing haya-suburi, but jumping on the same spot. Bring shinai up, and as u bring it down to cut, jump up using the calf muscles.

Really worksout the calves, you guys should try it out sometime.

Then after the usual warmups, class was divided into two. Hakim handled the so called "veterans" and Abul handled the newbies. Oh yea, and today we had a sensei-ni-rei. For the three senseis in front: Hakim abul and Marcus.

Hakim drilled us all through the usual. Joge-suburi, men-suburi. Nothing eventful happened. Except for the stamping training he had in mind for us. Left foot planted firmly on the ground, our right foot was supposed to go very far forward, so far until our left knees almost touched the ground. After a few times, I think I tore a tendon. Walking has then become difficult. It really strengthens the thigh muscles, for faster movement.

Another point worth noting. Most beginners would concentrate on developing the strength in their arms. But the legs too must be equally developped. What is the point of being able to launch super-quick cuts but not being able to move in fast enough to strike?

At a certain point in training I had the extreme delight in having the oppurtunity to ask Abul: "What is your best piece of advice that you would give to any Kendoka?"

His reply went something like this:

"Try your best. Give it your all. Because in Kendo, what you need to do is to give it your all. Lose yourself in the world of the Way of the Sword. Always pay attention. There will come a time when you feel as though you can never improve your Kendo, and that you will feel like quitting, but keep on searching for ways to train. There is always room for improvement in Kendo."

Basically Kendo is like an infinite sphere grid where you can choose to upgrade whatever you want. (If you wanna know what a sphere grid is, then play Final Fantasy X)

I didn't stay until the end, had to leave for my sister's sports day in SK CBN. Michelle was kind enough to accompany me. I was wearing hakama gi plus tare and zekken some more! All the parents were looking at me, shouting for my sis to run faster. haha it was good promo of Kendo. MKA shud be proud of me.