[DagoIgnog]

I have been off Kendo since last October, started with a pulled muscle and seems to have affected my shoulder. THINK I am ready to go back after lots of physio even though my shoulders still "click". I also have 2 children under the age of 2 in the house which has also complicated things - the youngest is 3 months old today.
These forums have kept me feeling involved in the world of Kendo but I do know that ultimately Kendo is not something you read about so I need to get back.
I am posting in the hope that by putting my pen to paper I now have to step up to the plate and get to Kendo THIS WEEK !!
I know the first session back is going to be HARD which is probably why I have found excuses the last week or two not to go.

Anyone else had a year off and how did they find going back ?
Any encouragement words of wisdom to get me back in the dojo much appreciated

[Pharmadryg]

Any encouragement words of wisdom to get me back in the dojo much appreciated

Because, if you don't we shall give Commander your home address...

[GDRussiayear]

...ultimately Kendo is not something you read about so I need to get back.

This is one of the most sensible and thoughful things I've seen written on this forum.

Anyone else had a year off and how did they find going back ?
Any encouragement words of wisdom to get me back in the dojo much appreciated

The longest layoff I've had was one month. Have you been in contact with your dojo during your layoff? That might help in getting back. I've had to take several breaks since because of injury but going in to mitori always helped keep my motivation to get better and get back high.

[Romobencience]

Anyone else had a year off and how did they find going back ?
Any encouragement words of wisdom to get me back in the dojo much appreciated

I was out a year and a half with a near fatal condition. Among other things I lost about 100 pounds and my stamina was completely gone. I stayed in touch with my dojo but I felt uncomfortable when I saw my mates because I was so sick and they were concerned that I would drop dead at any moment.
I went back in February when I could barely hold a shinai. I asked that people not be so concerned about me just that I be allowed to stop when I felt it was necessary. I can now do almost a full class and have participated in three tournaments (with spectacular losses I must say) I will do a two or three minute keiko then sit down for a couple of minutes then do another one. Sometimes I even take my men off for a couple of minutes. Not things tht I would ever have considered before I got sick but things are different and sensei understands. I have asked that nobody go easy on me because that would do me no good.

I think the trick is to slowly get yourself back up to speed then, and only then, can you go back to pushing yourself to failure.

I'm especially concerned about the "click" in your shoulder. I don't know what it is but pushing yourself too hard at an early stage would be a mistake in my estimation.

So talk to your sensei and ask him if it ok to step out of line now and again until you get bck to 100%. If you hurt yourself by pushing too hard too fast you serve no good end.

[Janarealiti]

My sensei says that "the hardest part of kendo is getting to the dojo". I cannot agree with him more. It's never too late to get back in (if you want to that is). Some of my dojo mates came back after 10 to 12 years kendo hiatus!

[Breilopmil]

ignatz thats a really ace testimony. glad you're on the mend.
scottish dude, just take it easy and slow for the first couple of sessions.
if your shoulder injury is kendo related you need to find out what made it bad in the first place and stop doing it.
i think mine was due to over-extending because im short and we were allways told that beginners need to do big cuts not little tappy things
good luck with going back
oh and i noticed this is your first post
have you voted for my gecko yet (see link below)
dont get sidetracked by the hedgehog and dog mind.
the only alternatives ill allow you to vote for are captain sausage, and louie because hes poorly sick. thankyou kindly

[alskdjreyfd]

Hmm. If your shoulder hurts after an extended period of time when you use them during suburi or anything of the sort, I'd recommend to see if your physician will accept kendo as something do-able in your current state. No one wants you to get over-worked the first practice and put out of commission for more time afterwards.

I wish you all the luck and I hope you can get back into Kendo for good. Happy training and update us on how you're doing.

[aburva.org]

Louie's doing ok now though, but vote for him anyway.

Nice to see he has friends on Kendo World







That is all.

[BalaGire]

I look forward to meeting you.

[ENGINESSQ]

the longest i've been away from kendo was 3 months because of plantar faschiitis. during this 3 month hiatus i was in the physio just like you but i also decided that i should workout at the gym too so when i come back i wouldn't be lagging behind.

i never had second thoughts of coming back to kendo. i love kendo so much that i went there just to watch.

~taganahan

[Anfester]

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement etc. I am just back from my first practice in 10 months and it was really really good, my footwork is all over the show and everyone else is 10 months better than me but driving home the world was a nicer place and I am back !!! I will now try post more on these forums, I feel like I am back in Kendo land again.... I had no problems with my shoulder - guess that physio paid off. I damaged my shoulder initially by overdoing it at a seminar so I will pay closer attention to what my body is telling me even if I have a bunch of Godans and above shouting at me... ;-) My kendo although not brilliant was OK and I felt that I gave as good as I got, I remember now why I love doing Kendo - I think I lost that in between shoulder pains and having new babies in the house.

[jenilopaz]

YOUSHA!!
Ganbare!!!!!

[fruttomma]

well I made it back tonight !! I really enjoyed the practice as well ! My shoulder was fine through out and it looks like that physio paid off. Driving home I felt content and the stars seem to shine a little brighter. I think I forgot how much I love Kendo in between having new babies in the house and the rest of that nonsense which is life.
Thanks again to everyone for the encouragement and expect to see more of me on these forums - I don't feel like I have to be a casual bystander anymore. It was a bit tough seeing how much better everyone had gotten so quickly - is ten months really that long - and a few people are up a dan or so so I have lots of work to do but I will try and remember that ultimately it is yourself you are fighting all the way.

[ansarigf]

did not mean to post twice but thought I hadn't posted the first time as I got logged out....

[RafaelYV]

heyo
congratulations. and glad you're back into kendo
remember, if they're godan they should be at the level to know when to stop shouting at you (usually when youve stopped moving and you're face is the same colour as your bogu i think is the preferred stage )
new babies eh? babies spoil everything

[illetrygrargo]

I'm glad to hear you're doing well. And like you said, it's good to be able to escape all the stuff outside the dojo for a few hours. Although I find myself being able to cope with a lot of nonsense that life throws at me by applying some thinking that Kendo forces upon us.

Good luck in the future and I know you can continue on. We kendoka have something about preserverance (I think it comes from being whacked in the head countless numbers of times and still trying to see if you can get one good hit in...) Happy training.

[Sxscdergh]

Well done on your return to Kendo.

Oh, and btw - the best username on Kendo World by a mile...