[Rupeviv]

Ok, I am at a crossroads. I really enjoy kendo; here is the BUT I feel inadequate, like a mooch, and am physically falling apart. I am questioning if kendo is right for me.

I am from Michigan and in my area, we just got a tremedous increase in our heating costs which left me to tell my sensei that I could no longer afford to pay my dues. He being a wonderful man told me that he did not want to lose me because of money issues. I told him I would do extra around the dojo.

To make matters worse I have been battling with plantar faciitis and achilles tendonitis. There are days that I limp the entire day and am in constant pain. I have missed several practices and feel terrible. I work in a factory and have to be on my feet the entire time, I had to go part-time because of a disk problem in my neck.

I am feeling more depressed because there is a tournament that I wanted to participate in but because of the costs was unable to make the funds necessary. I was invited to an all woman's practice; it is about 3 hrs away and cannot afford the gas money.

I am the only girl in my dojo and feel like I am becoming a hindrence. I hurt most of the time, am physically not where I should be, so I get out of breath fast. I work out but it doesn't seem to help with my kendo endurance. We are a very small group and one of the other guys did tell me that I don't give myself enough credit, but I wonder why I keep going to get myself beat up every practice.

I am having a hard time seeing the positive right now as I am sure anyone that reads this can see.

Any girl power might help. I just feel so defeated. Do I need to take a break? I love my kendo brothers and love the art but don't like the pain. AHHHH!!! My heart hurts!!!!

[SerycegeBunny]

We have many people in our dojo, male and female with physical problems/disabilities. Each of them practices to the best of their ability and takes breaks when they need to. Yes, they do get down sometimes when they can't perform to their own expectations but so does anyone. As long as your sensei knows that you are trying your best I'm sure that he will be accomodating to your needs.

[PypeMaypetasy]

Just keep training! Remember that the quality that makes us a good or a bad person in kendo is our hardworking training ethic. If I do a technique flawlessly (theoretical situation, "if I do a technique well" is better worded) I get a nod from the sensei here and that's it... well, sometimes a grunt too. If I do an insanely difficult, long kakarigeiko session and don't quit until they see I am on the verge of death (not really but you know what I mean) then they give more compliments and actually smile and are happy with me. It isn't talent or winning tournaments or anything else that get us credit in kendo, it is that fact that we keep showing up to the dojo. I am sure your sensei understand the difficulties of health and financial problems. I have never heard or seen anyone put down or thought of as a burden because they had these problems. It's only human. However... if you quit and stop coming permanently, I can imagine some disappointment in you from your dojomates and sensei.

To get past the issue of being really hard on yourself, just have fun with it. I am sure that you are being more hard on yourself than anyone else. If you can let go of that for a bit and just attend a practice, work hard, take breaks when you need to, but focus on simply enjoying it, it will help you understand why you kept doing kendo in the first place. Sometimes when I am discouraged at my performance or progress (or lack thereof) I will spend a practice not thinking about how bad I am doing but telling myself that I am just gonna have fun today. No thinking, just doing and having fun. After these types of practices, I remember why I enjoy kendo and the company of everyone in the dojo and it helps to re energize me and become positive again. Go to your next training session when you can and just let it all go and have fun and see if it helps to refocus on why you are doing this...

I'm not a girl, but I hope this helps.

[Xewksghy]

kendo . . . because it is hard. When we expect no breaks and no returns, keiko is at its best. Let it beat as hard as it wants, but don't be defeated. Even if you cannot go to practice, if you cannot go to work, if you cannot stand up, don't be defeated. This is kendo. And you just do it.

(sounds like you've got plenty of girl power, sister.)

[horoshevapola]

kendo . . . because it is hard. When we expect no breaks and no returns, keiko is at its best. Let it beat as hard as it wants, but don't be defeated. Even if you cannot go to practice, if you cannot go to work, if you cannot stand up, don't be defeated. This is kendo. And you just do it.

(sounds like you've got plenty of girl power, sister.)

I think so too, and I think that you should never quit. If your Sensei is an American and he thinks money should never be a question then I think you have the jackpot. This should be the stuff all people should be made of. I guess that it's hard to see the silver linings because it's cold and winter and all that. But keep coming and in the end all your problems will disappear.
Ganbatte!

[brurdefdoro]

Hey there, everyone encounters problems with training throughout practicing the great art of kendo. Just stick in there, I myself am the only girl in my dojo and sometimes i can struggle.

Just be optimistic and stick in there.

Best wishes

Sarah

[HowardtheDuck]

Question: does your employer pay for your health insurance? What are the doctors telling you about your injuries? What are they doing about it?

Your sensei sounds to me as if he/she is an extremely understanding person. Even if you can't make it to every practice, try to keep yourself in shape with suburi. Go the practices that you can go to, but don't try to make it if it's going to put you in financial straits.

If I can't go outside to practice footwork with the shinai, I kneel on my living room floor and do suburi. I've had surgery on both of my feet, will probably have surgery again on the right foot, and I'm scheduled for a knee replacement in April. I've been severely injured during a tournament, but was able to return 6 weeks later to resume my kendo.

It's understandable to feel depressed when you can't do what you enjoy doing. Standing all day on a concrete floor in a factory is no fun - been there, done that for too long myself. Perhaps though if you were able to at least do suburi, either seated or kneeling, you would be able to keep your swing progressing and not lose the muscle tone and muscle memory of what you've been taught.

Can't give you any girl power, I'm not a girl, but I have a pretty good idea of what you're going through. Keep trying, don't give up!

[ZESINTERS]

Number one your sensai sounds like a good man.

Slow down some. If your hurting, and kendo is the reason, throttle back the practice some. I can sympathize with the pains trust me. IF your not were you need to be physicaly, and are having pain, explain that to your sensai and cut back on the intensity of your practice(ie if practice is three hours, cut it back to two then work back to that third).

Dont stop completely unless it becomes an asolute necessity. Trust me you wil regret having to.....

[UncoonsKala]

No point in repeating what the others have stated so hang in there and always try to focus on the positive side of things.

[viagracheapest]

Im sorry, im not a girl, but I try to give you some insight.

Kendo is awesome, its addicting, and it is very good for you, but sometimes you need to take a break from it, because it can be negative sometimes. I dont know your situation as well as you, so its up to you to say whether or not it is posotive or negative. If kendo helps your health and at this moment is an integral force in your life, then keep on trucking and pray for the best. If kendo is hurting you, and your financial situation, then take a break. Kendo is a life long art, theres a lot of time for practice, time off cant realy hurt you that much. Sometimes the only way to improve is to take a break.

But, if you do take a break, try and rehabilitate any problems. Think about what you could do when you come back that willl keep you from going back to the bad aspects. Good luck.

Ahmed.

[Muramoursuard]

There are several problems I'm hearing and each of them has its own solution.
- Money shortage; Since your sensei is supportive, this is the least of your
problems (I know it doesn't seem like it and it probably causes a great
deal of distress). While participation in events outside the dojo is enjoyable it
is not necessary. As for feeling like a mooch.. just tell yourself that you
will make this up. Your idea to make this up by doing things around the
dojo is great, and sends both your feeling and the message to your sensei
that you just need help...for now.
- You have plantar fascitis. This is an incredibly painful injury. I've had it
when I was a runner. You should treat this:
o Massage the bottom of your foot with ice... after each practice.
o Look at: http://www.medformation.com/ac/crssm...pain.exercises
for exercises and stretches you can do to relieve thepain.
- You have achiles tendonitis if you can, tape this with a so-called
achiles lock; See
http://www.athleticadvisor.com/image...TAPE%20RSH.pdf

- The disk problem in your neck... Check your posture in a mirror.
Play around with balancing your head on your neck. In many cases
correct carriage of your head will help your disk problem.
It also helps your kendo.

Finally, I agree with the guy that said you don't give yourself enough credit.
More than 1/2 the guys I know going throught what you're going through...
they'd have dropped a long time ago. You're still at practice, still trying,
still giving what you can. Do what you can, but don't be afraid to skip chunks of the practice if you need to. I know all the kendo senseis in MI, they will
all understand, and be supportive.
Ganbatte.
Ron Fox
Michigan State University Kendo Club
Head Instructor.

[libertiespana]

Maniclady,

I know of the dojo you are refering to and also know the sensei is a very good person. As for eveything else, I agree with the above sentiments. If you are in the Detroit area, or anywhere else in MI for that matter, the kendo clubs would love to help out in anyway possible. Keep doing your own kendo! That means whatever it means, but keep doing kendo. Good luck, and I hope you can come down, at least for the camraderie, to the Detroit tournament. Good luck and best wishes. Cheers!

-eric

[Carfanate]

There are several problems I'm hearing and each of them has its own solution.
- Money shortage; Since your sensei is supportive, this is the least of your
problems (I know it doesn't seem like it and it probably causes a great
deal of distress). While participation in events outside the dojo is enjoyable it
is not necessary. As for feeling like a mooch.. just tell yourself that you
will make this up. Your idea to make this up by doing things around the
dojo is great, and sends both your feeling and the message to your sensei
that you just need help...for now.
- You have plantar fascitis. This is an incredibly painful injury. I've had it
when I was a runner. You should treat this:
o Massage the bottom of your foot with ice... after each practice.
o Look at: http://www.medformation.com/ac/crssm...pain.exercises
for exercises and stretches you can do to relieve thepain.
- You have achiles tendonitis if you can, tape this with a so-called
achiles lock; See
http://www.athleticadvisor.com/image...TAPE%20RSH.pdf

- The disk problem in your neck... Check your posture in a mirror.
Play around with balancing your head on your neck. In many cases
correct carriage of your head will help your disk problem.
It also helps your kendo.

Finally, I agree with the guy that said you don't give yourself enough credit.
More than 1/2 the guys I know going throught what you're going through...
they'd have dropped a long time ago. You're still at practice, still trying,
still giving what you can. Do what you can, but don't be afraid to skip chunks of the practice if you need to. I know all the kendo senseis in MI, they will
all understand, and be supportive.
Ganbatte.
Ron Fox
Michigan State University Kendo Club
Head Instructor.

I agree with everything here and I'd like to add something, Kendo World has an article submitted by a reader on the website on Heel injuries and their treatment with acupuncture and magnetic theraphy. Perhaps it would help, my sensei suffered from plantar fascitis and took the article to the acupuncturist and it worked for him.

The article is here

[GroosteFoessy]

Thanks everyone!! I am feeling better. I went to practice today and did what I could. Everyone is very supportive. I just get into occasional ruts. I really appreciate the encouragement. I will keep going even if there are times I need a break. I will be at Detroit to cheer on my kendo brothers.

Thanks again!

[vforvandetta]

Quit. It's the easy way out. Take up jogging when you recover.

[papadopul]

I would recommend watching for a while. When you can't get around don't force the issue. Go to practice sit your butt on a chair and watch people's foot work and waza. If you watch with a critical, analytical eye you might actually learn something. This all while healing up so you can apply what you've learned.

But' don't let Kendo stress you out. The rest of your life sounds like its stressful enough.

[lh88gFzI]

My sensei once told me "it's when you feel like quiting that you'll learn even more (if you continue)."

Now he was and I am talking about the "mind" problem, not meaning "force yourself to continue if your body suffers too much", that would be dumb.

[mikefertynnz]

Oh.. poor thing. I know how you feel, being a girl and living in MI. This winter's been horrible, hasn't it? Sometimes I can't help but feeling a bit inadequate as well, I often have a difficulty with stamina and strength (especially in doing lots of suburi). Take care of yourself! Health comes first. Enjoy kendo ^_^

[DoctorBeny]

I am the only girl in my dojo and feel like I am becoming a hindrence. I hurt most of the time, am physically not where I should be, so I get out of breath fast. I work out but it doesn't seem to help with my kendo endurance. We are a very small group and one of the other guys did tell me that I don't give myself enough credit, but I wonder why I keep going to get myself beat up every practice.

Adding to what've been said, I'd say try not to think so negative about being the only girl in the dojo, as it is more or less a norm outside of Japan... But if you are doing to seminar/ competition, you'll know that there are quite a lot of girls altogether, and that they are also training so hard. You really have to investigate into why you are behind everyone else (different level, injury, fitness, etc), instead using the girl=weak excuse. I have the same problem, but really, doing some exercises regularly on the days not training will help in the long run. Takes about a few months to see the improvement, so it's not a miracle you're looking for.

Anyway, if you keep on practising, the solution too all of these will come up sooner or later. Good luck!

[hellenmoranov]

Sorry to hear about your problems. If you don't have health insurance, you might want to check with AUSKF... if you're a member of AUSKF, the insurance covered for kendo related injuries and stuff... I think. The AUSKF website wasn't seem to be working, I would look up some info about the insurance policy AUSKF have or contact someone about this, so you can get something done about your health issues at least. Don't know if it'll be any help, but I mean at least it doesn't hurt to ask.

Good luck, hope your situation will get better soon or if you pray for me to win the $300 mil powerball... I'll make things better, kekekekeke