[Shemker394]

Wlecome to the forum,

I've you...

It should be: If you ...

There are a few other typos, but I’m to tired to fix those. Sorry.

[Juersdodfs]

If you'd taken 10 seconds to hit the link, you'd see that what they offer is an MSR class which is seperate from the aikido instruction.

I did, but aikido has a different sword curriculum (depending on style and dojo) than iai. Different foot work, etc. I just wanted to point that out.

[Sopsneork]

I think you should visit other dojos besides this one as well for comparison. This dojo have no affiliation with the AUSKF

The magic red flags of several styles and no formal affiliation pop up, but the instructor only teaches kendo there, and as I recall, a 4-dan instructor is required for AUSKF recognition. So, they may be on the level...

I'm still really, really new to this, but my experience has been that kendo is commonly much more sparring and combative than internal. If you did TKD with a lot of sparring, you might have a good idea what to expect from it. I suspect kendo is a lot more physical than fencing. Looking back on my first day of free-sparring (jigeiko), it feels like I spent half the time clinched like a over tired boxer in tsuba-zeriai...

Oh, to have discovered this young... Like you, I've been interested for a long time, but never knew there was a real dojo in town or where/how to look. I'm 34 and just started a few months ago with my sons. Physically, it's very challenging as I haven't done much in the past 10 years, but I think I'm hooked...

If you enjoyed free-sparring in the past, and have an interest in weapon combat style consider it... If you really don't like the physical nature of sparring, but want to work in style and form, iaido would likely be more appropriate.

[inofindy]

It's not the physical aspect of sparring that I dislike. I just am looking for a quieter physical activity than what I've done in the past. Fencing and TKD were both heavily physical and emphasized sparring over everything else.

I'm looking for a quiet meditative practice that doesn't require a lot of equipment or even other people to do it properly, but still has a clearly martial basis.

We'll see though. Perhaps after watching some kendo matches I'll become interested in the sparring aspect of it.

[feannigvogten]

I'm looking for a quiet meditative practice that doesn't require a lot of equipment or even other people to do it properly, but still has a clearly martial basis.

We'll see though. Perhaps after watching some kendo matches I'll become interested in the sparring aspect of it.

Oh yeah. You'll definitely want to check out iaido first then. And to keep your options open with kendo, it'll be a good idea to join a dojo that teaches both iai and kendo. That way, you don't have to join an entirely new dojo if you decide down the line that you'd like to do kendo.

[Feflyinvelf]

http://www.neaikikai.org/

Anyone know of this dojo?

Sure, that's the New England Aikikai aikido school. Founded when the late M. Kanai-sensei relocated to New England, having been convinved that dozens of diligent aikido students awaited better instruction. Program with a long history, having trained many folks who now teach across the New England area (and further afield as well). Direct connection to aikikai hombu aikido program.

They teach, as when Kanai-sensei was present, a version of Muso Shinden-ryu iai as a program separate from aikido.

John "uh, yeah, now I notice Neil's already made these points ..."

[agildeta]

"I could not find any info on Osamu Sekiguchi, 3rd dan(According to the website) who seems to be the sensei of that dojo. So, I've no idea who they are. Someone else here may know."

I have never personally been to this dojo, but I have seen some of their members and Sekiguchi sensei at a few events. From meeting these people at tournaments and gradings, it seems as if they are on the level. They may be a little smaller than some of the other dojo in the area, but I could be wrong on that. I don't know of many people visiting them often, but being in Salem and the other dojos being south of the Mass. Pike or way out in Amherst, the traffic situation and getting back and forth from elsewhere to Salem is probably the factor that discourages more visiting, so not the quality of instruction or the dojo as bad, but just laziness in dealing with annoying traffic when there are other places to practice at that are much closer.

Thank you so much! I knew someone should know. Cool. Then by all means, visit this dojo and ask some questions and see what interests you, FiveMiles-san.

Kaoru

[addyta.org]

Thank you so much! I knew someone should know. Cool. Then by all means, visit this dojo and ask some questions and see what interests you, FiveMiles-san.

Kaoru

Shodokan is a very serious dojo - they have a long history of excellent judo and aikido instruction, and a kyudo program as well. I've only been up there once to do kendo, and it was when the program was just starting, but they have pretty high stardards, so I doubt you'll have any worries.

John