#5.dan

8 hours of hard training.

2 hours of godokeiko.

2 bottles of old exclusive scotch

2 hours of sensei notes on what you should focus on in 5 dan.

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1. Presence.

2. Conversation.

I posted a while back about how I found that I needed to retrain my mind, to get back into the mental space necessary for progression. I found myself getting too relaxed in my mental preparation. 

Well this also extended to my physical conditioning. With a broken ankle, followed immediately after completing physical therapy with a broken wrist....it took me nearly two years off of full intense practice. 

I need to prepare for my GoDan attempt in another two years. I recently learned one of my good friends, who I thought for sure was going to pass 5.Dan on first attempt, indeed failed. 

If I stand any chance, not only do I have to get my mindset correct. I need to get my body ready as much as I can. I’m older, started Kendo when I turned 32, and now time is setting itself into my joints. I don’t nearly have the jump, the speed, the endurance and the recovery I once held. 

These aren’t excuses-- they are changes. I have to adapt my training and techniques to this “new” body. 

The point is to never stop trying to improve, that is why we do Kendo. It’s a functional part of our like. Our Kendo Life is fused with our daily lives. It modifies how we approach everything else throughout our interactions with the world. 

I’ve begun 45 min intense workouts 5 times a week,  Monday-Friday, with two Kendo courses on Wednesday and Sunday. Saturday is my rest day. On top of trying to do all my other work. I wake up at 5:45am and go to bed around 11pm. 

I’m developing my Cardio for the first few months....trying to shed pounds and getting my lungs used to endurance training. Large muscle groups first. Then starting in October....I will feed in the weights. 2/3 and 3/2 patterns of cardio/weight days. 

So here in America, there aren’t the vast Kendo resources found in Japan for Dojos and Instructors, and the Kendo in America although still developing is a very small community, so when you hit YonDan - your title of Sensei is cast upon you. Of course I understand that I’m still a beginner in the development of Kendo, and YonDan is far away from “sensei” title in Japan. But here I am.

It took me 10 years to cross to the other side of the floor. There are people that may believe I don’t belong on that side. But the panel passed me on my first attempt - so I have to carry that forward as a positive.

But now I have a duty.

A sensei came up to after the test and told me that my pursuit towards GoDan is not just  about “Your Kendo”. GoDan needs to start showcasing your contributions to the Kendo Community, your dojo, and the spread of Kendo Education.

So what I predicted would happen, advanced members are leaving the dojo for a more advanced sensei near us. I am left nearly alone at the Dojo trying to run everything.

 I couldn’t quit our dojo - we have 13 beginners who are eager to learn. If I quit the dojo would have to shut down, and I cannot do that to everyone.