Trapped in the Rank

There is a group - don't know exactly how big - of people like me. OK, who is "people like me"?, ...... Well, those of us who have started Kendo a bit late in life.

What is so Special about it?

There is not much special about it, maybe should I say, that we have had the courage to take the step, start walking the path and stick to it, however, there is a small reality that, sooner or later, it will affect all of us.

Most of the new beginners of my age, are either, just starting, with no rank, or anywhere between Ikkyu and Shodan, that means that we cannot skip the physical mill that the 18 years old have to endure and go through.

This simple fact, if not properly managed, will backfire. For example, I still not fully recovered from a knee injury, caused for countless sonkyo suburi done at a summer camp one year ago.

In some ways, there is some breeze of change. There are, despite slow and a bit resisted, some groups of senseis that have keiko for players 60 years old and above. There is no crazy physical stuff, just pure jigeiko, and a real good one.

Indeed, even if a group is created for players 50 years old and above, we should have to face players ranked anywhere from Godan to Hachidan, but hey!, it will be a healthy beat up!

Now, getting back to the original point. It is extremely important then, not to get trapped on things your body cannot do, or, things you know it will hurt you. Somehow, we need to adapt to wherever is being throw to us, and having always in mind the fact that our career in Kendo can stand longer than in any other Martial Art or sport but, only if we have the means to avoid injury.

Having these facts into consideration then, Kendo will stick to us for a long long time.

Have fun at keiko!