[smokeberly]

Yes. Do exactly what Neil Gendzwill-sensei said.

Good kendo IS art.

[sttrqiss]

I think it really depends on whether it clicks with you, ie whether it turns out to be something you like to do. If you have enthusiasm for it, then you will be inspired to come to practice. That's when it will help you, because the one truth of kendo is that it doesn't matter who you are or what your talent level, so long as you practice you will get better. You'll get over the hurdles of being criticised, of having to perform drills with other people around, of having to yell really loudly, of hitting people and being hit yourself. All these things you can do, if you only keep going to practice. The first hurdle is going to class. The next hurdle is going to the next class. And so forth. If you stick with it, I think you'll be a more confident person and you'll make some new friends outside of your comfort zone. So stop reading this long-winded reply and get to the dojo!

[AK47rulz]

Hello! My name is Cailtin. I just turned 16 and am starting my junior year in high school. I just joined recently and know very little about kendo, so I have a few questions to ask. Is Kendo right for someone with low self-esteem? I’ve never really done an active sport aside from horseback riding but I’m not sure if that counts. Other then that the only thing I’ve committed to is art, and that always came easy to me. I want something that I have to work to achieve, but I get frustrated easily. Not to mention I’m terribly shy and anti-social when I’m not with my friends. I need something in my life that will help me build confidence. Please help me out, is kendo right for me? Any input or advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Hey, welcome to the forum! Just starting kendo? Me too (the username kinda gives me away...) anyway, yes, kendo should help build your self esteem. Just make sure to keep at it! If you have any questions, feel free to ask anyone (other than me) for advice! You might get frusterated at first, but don't worry. Heck, you should be able to make new friends in the class too..

[vNGiDaFX]

I think i may be ok in that part. My art teacher always has constructive critisim no matter what i do ^-^;;. So I'm kinda use to it. Thank you for the advice!

[beepbeet]

one thing to remember, there will be alot of critisiscm from your sensai, but its nto meant to be rude. he will point out the wrong, and if he doesnt point it out, assume your doing it well hes not being nasty, hes just pointing out what you have to work on

[outsitWrord]

go for it, the thing i find cool about kendo is the whole philosophy of being a better person built behind it. you can definately build more confidence learning this art. welcome to the dark side.

[lookanddiscover]

I think kendo can give you better perspective about what is important, which can sometimes be difficult to figure out in high school.
It's about respect, and if you put in the effort you get respect.
It's not about being cool or being better than anyone else.
It's about everyone being in it together and helping bring each other up, and part of doing that is supporting and acknowledging the things you are good at and giving honest criticism and support for the areas that need work.
Such honesty and selflessness definitely has been a great help to me in my so-far limited kendo career.

It is helpful on so many levels.
Go for it!

[imporrilk]

Hello! My name is Cailtin. I just turned 16 and am starting my junior year in high school. I just joined recently and know very little about kendo, so I have a few questions to ask. Is Kendo right for someone with low self-esteem? I’ve never really done an active sport aside from horseback riding but I’m not sure if that counts. Other then that the only thing I’ve committed to is art, and that always came easy to me. I want something that I have to work to achieve, but I get frustrated easily. Not to mention I’m terribly shy and anti-social when I’m not with my friends. I need something in my life that will help me build confidence. Please help me out, is kendo right for me? Any input or advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

[VitaliyMurnov]

Your confidence should increase with time. Based on what you said, you might have a LOT of trouble with Kiai. It's something that you have to do though. You will feel nervous yelling at the top of your lungs at first. But as time develops, you will form your own kiai and you should be able to do it easily.

Kendo is for anyone that wants to give it a try and has the health capacity to do it. So if you are of average health, then Kendo is for you.

[dserbokim]

I think Kendo is great for increasing self-esteem and assertiveness because a good size part of it is teaching yourself to be alert and aware of opportunities that open up and then seizing it with total committment. Making a good "cut" gives you a very rewarding feeling. You also get hit, and if you persevere, you learn not to take it personally, but instead come to see that as an opportunity to improve.

In what limited Kendo I've seen and studied, I've also found the community to be very close, and yet inviting to newcomers. I've never seen any kind of snobbery or such.

I think another benefit for women in Kendo is that there's not as much body-to-body contact as there would be in an empty-hand style of martial arts. You have shinai and eventually bogu armour, so you shouldn't have the issue of pervs "taking advantage of the situation" as they might in something like a grappling style.