Chip
2nd March 2001, 20:03
Just curious about why you chose whichever sword art(s) you are taking.
I'll tell you why I am if you promise not to laugh. Remember, you promised.
I had previous experience in TKD and Judo before college. When I went off to college I couldn't afford it anymore. So, here I am nine years after high school, 3 years out of college (Just had to get that second degree). I figured that it was way past time to get back into MA. I wanted to find Judo somewhere, but that was not to be. About the same time I started watching an anime series on DVD called Rurouni Kenshin (This is the part where you don't laugh at me). Whithout going into detail it is about a wandering Samurai (actually he's pretty stationary from what I've seen). The more I watched it the more I thought about how I always wanted to take Kendo. So, I start looking around again. Though this time I was determined to find anything I could be happy in. I just needed to start taking something.
After being dissapointed in a few places I came to a school that teaches MJER Iaido (among other non-sword arts). I watched each class with interest, but when I saw the Iai class I fell in love. I was not even aware that Iaido had existed before. Before I went to observe the class I had researched what it was, but I had never seen it before that night. It wasn't kendo, but I didn't care. I had to take that class. I had not been so consumed by a MA since Judo (Which I would still like to take up again someday). I went to the free class with my brother-in-law who had been looking at schools with me. Unfortunately he dicided not to take any classes. Before the class was over I knew I had found what I was looking for. I have made every class but two so far in a four class per week schedule. I used to hate Mondays, but now I love them. It's the first class of the week.
I can't wait for my tax return. So, I can get my Iaito. I don't mind doing the same forms over and over while the rest of the class is doing something different. I am in no hurry. If I did the same form all class long I would enjoy it just as much as if I got to learn something new. Every day I walk into that dojo I feel fortunate to be there. I feel like I'm starting to ramble now so I'll wrap it up here. It's just not everyday someone can say I've found something I want to do for the rest of my life. I wish we had kendo as well, but if I never get to take anything else again I can still be happy.
I just wondered what kind of experience others have had in choosing an art.
I'll tell you why I am if you promise not to laugh. Remember, you promised.
I had previous experience in TKD and Judo before college. When I went off to college I couldn't afford it anymore. So, here I am nine years after high school, 3 years out of college (Just had to get that second degree). I figured that it was way past time to get back into MA. I wanted to find Judo somewhere, but that was not to be. About the same time I started watching an anime series on DVD called Rurouni Kenshin (This is the part where you don't laugh at me). Whithout going into detail it is about a wandering Samurai (actually he's pretty stationary from what I've seen). The more I watched it the more I thought about how I always wanted to take Kendo. So, I start looking around again. Though this time I was determined to find anything I could be happy in. I just needed to start taking something.
After being dissapointed in a few places I came to a school that teaches MJER Iaido (among other non-sword arts). I watched each class with interest, but when I saw the Iai class I fell in love. I was not even aware that Iaido had existed before. Before I went to observe the class I had researched what it was, but I had never seen it before that night. It wasn't kendo, but I didn't care. I had to take that class. I had not been so consumed by a MA since Judo (Which I would still like to take up again someday). I went to the free class with my brother-in-law who had been looking at schools with me. Unfortunately he dicided not to take any classes. Before the class was over I knew I had found what I was looking for. I have made every class but two so far in a four class per week schedule. I used to hate Mondays, but now I love them. It's the first class of the week.
I can't wait for my tax return. So, I can get my Iaito. I don't mind doing the same forms over and over while the rest of the class is doing something different. I am in no hurry. If I did the same form all class long I would enjoy it just as much as if I got to learn something new. Every day I walk into that dojo I feel fortunate to be there. I feel like I'm starting to ramble now so I'll wrap it up here. It's just not everyday someone can say I've found something I want to do for the rest of my life. I wish we had kendo as well, but if I never get to take anything else again I can still be happy.
I just wondered what kind of experience others have had in choosing an art.