My Kendo Life

17-18/04/2017 Seminar after National's

**A/N= Hey peeps, okay just to let you know if you see "(?)", it usually means I don't actually know how to spell that word/words, so please forgive me on that. And "XD" means that I'm practically laughing to myself or something like that .**

Okay, two continuous days of kendo. Let's see if I'll survive the whole seminar alive.

Started both days with a lecture from both sensei, I was mentally counting how many times on both days the sensei said, "seme". What they actually meant was the dominant and the one who is in control of centre. I counted about 55 times, both the sensei and the translator.

Both days started out without any warm up, I guess it really depends on the sensei who teach the group.  There was a mock grading for those who were going for the Dan (Black belt) grades on Wednesday. It was interesting to watch, those of us who weren't going to the grading's (basically some of ACT club XD), we did a little practice with the founder sensei. He was helping us with how we can improve the way we cut and the control of our cut.

I didn't join in till later, I prefer to watch and learn. I did lunging men XD sounds funny, but that seems to improve things quite quickly. The thing is I had someone in front of me, so I was basically stabbing them with a stick to improve my cute style? I think that's right, who knows what I'm trying to say here XD Anyway, the whole group did bokto waza(?) (a form of Kata). I stayed out to watch, I thought that they were going to save Kata for the next day. Obviously not, so I soot back and learned.

After that calming experience, we all had LUNCH!! It was sushi and a pork dish with rice and broccoli. I had the pork dish, anyway. Lunch was nice, I got to chat with other club members that I usually see on a Saturday, but we talk about other things.  It's interesting to get to know those people more and have a good connection with them.

//BACK TO THE GYM XD\\

We get back to the gym and get into armour, I have a breakdown away from the group. Later before everyone started the exercise, I packed up my gear. I receive a few concern "Are you okay?" or "Are you alright?" from officials and other contenders from the National's. Of course each time I said, "Yes, I'm alright. Thank you." I packed all of my gear and went back up to the public viewing gallery to watch everyone and the sensei.

Everyone was doing an exercise to the sensei command and then rotate around to a new partner, then work on the next exercise. Simple as that, I could've done it, but my anxiety kicked in before that. Couldn't wait for the next day, hopefully I can do more that what I did today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay let's do this, I know that I can do it. I arrive at the gym again, but a little late. I run off to the change rooms, get changed and back out. This time I brought a pen to write in my book for the lecture. This time we talked about the three main concepts of kendo/kata.

1. Method of the sword

2. The body

3. The mind/spirit

Official notes taken by me on the day:

"-improve the human character

-practice through the use of a sword

- 1. Method of the sword

2. way you use your body

3. mind/spirit

-apply your body in a natural way to achieve what you're trying to do.

-how you have your spirit is important

-breathing is important

-if breathing is irregular, spirit becomes unsettled

-inhale quickly, exhale slowly"

Well, that was a lot to take in at once, am I right? Okay, enough delay. We got our bokken, went in two separate groups and did KATA!!! XD We did 1-3, the 4-5 and then 6-7, with a few fix-up's in between. At least I finally did something and not sit around on my lazy bum! I think I went into ZEN mode during the whole kata session XD

//LUNCH TIME & STILL IN THE GYM\\

So today I got Chicken Teriyaki Sushi, I thought I got the Crispy Chicken Sushi. Oh well, chicken is still chicken, not going to complain. Went upstairs to the viewing gallery, sat down with fellow members of my club, then others followed. Let's say that Wollongong (NSW), WA and others from NSW joined us for lunch. The talk started with wasabi, then jobs, food in Japan, stuff from the 70's and an artwork of mine.  

I decided to stay out on the afternoon session of the seminar and watch, as always. Apparently they continued the kata, after that they all got into gear and did some exercises. Then keiko (sparing), soooooo noisy )X at least we had fun.