[Wvq9InTM]

I am interested in participating in kendo. I am an introvert. I don't like socializing or making new friends. I don't talk much and prefer to spend time alone. I just want to learn and practise kendo as an art form. I don't care much about winning because I believe that winning isn't everything. I'm more interested in learning more about myself and the world around me than beating the crap out of someone. Would kendo be suitable for me?

[lagunaEl]

Hi Chris ,

I'd be a great idea for you to join a kendojo

but Kendo is a lot about etiquette and manners also

and it's about to share a lot of experiences so

I think you will learn somehow to overcome your introversion

Good Luck !

[choollaBard]

I am interested in participating in kendo. I am an introvert. I don't like socializing or making new friends. I don't talk much and prefer to spend time alone. I just want to learn and practise kendo as an art form. I don't care much about winning because I believe that winning isn't everything. I'm more interested in learning more about myself and the world around me than beating the crap out of someone. Would kendo be suitable for me?

Chris,

This could be a description of me, and kendo is entirely suitable. It is, among many other things, a journey a self discovery. In a hall full of kendoists, each one is battling to deal with one little problem or another, and the great thing about it is that they are all helping each other out! I won't elaborate further, as I don't want to spoil the joy of that discovery.

[koebforfrn]

I enrolled in a beginners course starting this Wednesday.

[viawbambutt]

since i'm injured i had to teach the newbies class somedays this month. i noticed some of them were really introverted and "shy" too. especially when it comes to kiai. i sometimes tell them kendo is not only about wielding a sword. it is about being a better person...

that means that if you are a bit clumsy, kendo will teach you to be a bit more coordinated and graceful. if you're too stiff and aggresive, kendo will teach you to be flexible and centered. and if you're shy, kendo will teach you to scream your lungs/hara out without caring at all about what other people think.

i'm not sure if any of this applies to you but good luck starting kendo anyway!

[Ornamiviant]

since i'm injured i had to teach the newbies class somedays this month. i noticed some of them were really introverted and "shy" too. especially when it comes to kiai. i sometimes tell them kendo is not only about wielding a sword. it is about being a better person...

Kiai is scary when you just begin your training. Standing amongst people who actually do the right thing ( are a lot faster) and are in bogu. I always felt everybody was looking at me and I was just making a complete fool of myself. It took a couple of sessions before I didn't get that feeling while doing kiai and now in Bogu it's just awesome. You can scream your head off, you don't see people looking because you're only concentrated on the person in front of you (you can't see a whole lot besides him/her). Yep bogu definitely helped my improving my kiai although it still needs a lot of improvement but baby steps, I'll get there eventually.

Welcome to the forum and kendo, you'll love kendo, no doubt about it.

[Khcyhshq]

I am an introvert. I don't like socializing or making new friends. I don't talk much and prefer to spend time alone.

YESYESYES!

I was the same. Introvert, only-child, happy on my own etc etc. I was a hoot around my friends and those I knew, but quite shy with everyone else. Iai, like kendo, at times puts you under the microscope and you become the focal point of everyone's attention (seminars, competitons etc) and it is very character-building.

These days I know so many people by name it is scary. A massive chunk of them is due to budo. On top of this, I now teach - and I have have a bunch of willing students to thank for improving my people-skills even further. I still have no social graces, but that ain't my problem. That's tough shit for you lot...

I just want to learn and practise kendo as an art form. I don't care much about winning because I believe that winning isn't everything. I'm more interested in learning more about myself and the world around me than beating the crap out of someone. Would kendo be suitable for me?

I think your mentality is perfect for the study of kendo.

[Cersdog]

You can be introverted and enjoy Kendo. Your advancement might be hindered in the process though. During practice, you rely on others to help you get the best training that they can give and vice-versa. Outside of practice, the friendship is needed to gain that bond to get that good training. If you stay by yourself all the time, then you won't be able to gain much.

But I wouldn't worry about it too much. There are lots of people who are very shy when it comes to Kendo. There is the kiai, but then the sense that everyone is watching you, especially if you're not used to having people get on your case about correcting your form (this is actually a good thing though). But, over time, you'll probably mellow out and start kiaiing loudly like everyone else and talking to others. I would say that Kendo helped me open up a bit more to new people, amongst other life experiences after high school. One thing that helps me is to throw myself into situations I otherwise wouldn't be comfortable in to really help me out in these cases. But the most important thing is to develop at your own pace, if you stick around long enough.

As for loving Kendo, there are quite a few stages to get through. There's the hurdle of just starting, then the hurdle of working harder with the basics, then the larger jump to bogu. We all hope you will like Kendo, but we also don't want to pressure you into sticking with it if it happens to not be for you.

[juliannamed]

...just wait for the time when you're practicing your kiai while driving...

Y'all do that, right?

[PVaQlNaP]

...just wait for the time when you're practicing your kiai while driving...

Y'all do that, right?

Well, I used to do practice while riding my Harley (hey, what better practice that trying to out-kiai a set of straight pipes on the open road). then one day, this bug with a death wish . . .

I kiai with my mouth a bit less open now. I tell myself it helps with the breathing.

YMMV

RC_Kenshi

[wCYvMKAc]

...just wait for the time when you're practicing your kiai while driving...

Y'all do that, right?

When I first started, I did that for a few days because my kiai was too weak in the dojo.

This is a curious thread. I would not have thought of extrovert/introvert as something of significance, one way or another, to Kendo. But there's been enough comments about it to make me rethink that.

[Ibrattnofich]

When I first started, I did that for a few days because my kiai was too weak in the dojo.

This is a curious thread. I would not have thought of extrovert/introvert as something of significance, one way or another, to Kendo. But there's been enough comments about it to make me rethink that.

That's because whether or not you are introverted or extroverted doesn't really come into the equation much other than the interpersonal relationships in and out of practice with fellow kenshi. It really mostly comes down to whether or not you like Kendo. Then the relationships will develop in accordance to dojo rapport.

[hacyOrgachbic]

Introverted people I suppose are self-motivated by their nature so deciding on a course of action will most likely be followed through with sincere effort. If you want to pursue kendo as an art and not a sport, that is fine. Though it is said that kendo is about self-improvement, pursuing it solely for a self-centered reason alone misses out on the improvement that can only come with interaction among others. You become a better person by helping others in practice improve themselves as well. Practice kendo to triumph over yourself.

[LoloLibia]

Sure, anyone can start kendo. Enjoying it is probably more personal and complex, but if you start going and keep coming, you'll know for sure sooner or later.

Food for thought, though: I'd say that achieving some mastery of kendo (or any budo) requires folks to change somewhat, including 'personality', to fit their budo. I'm not sure I'd say there's one specific personality that fits, but there are those that don't.

John "overthinking probably an element that doesn't"

[Mehntswx]

It sounds as though you are a good candidate for Kendo as others have mentioned.

I used to be similar and I wouldn't really interact with others very well, but I did enjoy sports and games. The interest in the activity will give you the opportunity to be around others, you will have fun with the activity, and then you'll just naturally make friends with these people because you practice with them on a regular basis. I've never connected with anyone randomly or via 'hi how are you' type interactions because I am just not friendly in that way. All my friends, and I kinda think of my kendo friends as family since we've trained for so long together, have been made via an outside common interest.

Go for it, if you think Kendo will be interesting, try it, and the other stuff will naturally work itself out.

[abishiots]

To hit and be hit is a wonderful cure for shyness.



"Adversity introduces a man to himself"- unknown author

[8cyVn4RJ]

I've seen many introverted people enjoy and gain benefit from kendo. Some become less introverted, others continue to keep to themselves. But bear in mind that kendo is a group activity, not solo practice. So to a great extent you will rely on and help other people.

[Kt-viagra]

Welcome, I think you will be in good company.
I abhor crowds- hell for me is Disney
I backpack solo, including mountains.

I have never played team sports, always individual competition, sometimes as a team but each match is between individuals.

Kendo is you and Aite, nothing else exists between "Hajime" and "Yame".
Focus on form rather than winning and you will enjoy for a lifetime.

[katespepach]

...just wait for the time when you're practicing your kiai while driving...

Y'all do that, right?

As long as you don't practise your taiatari while driving...

Like many people, I was very quiet as well when I first started, but that eventually changed as I got more comfortable. Kendo is like 90% partner work, so you will have to learn how to work together as a group, because being a bad motodachi (defending partner) means you're not letting other people practise properly. Give it a year and I'm sure you'd be so much more confident.

If you want to you can be one of those quiet ones that just go there to train, arrive and leave without saying a thing. But you'd be missing out so much, the social aspect of Kendo is one of the greatest things to get into, and there's nothing quite like annoying your seniors/teachers with "that's what she said" lines. (Outside the dojo of course.)

[VYholden]

out of curiosity, since everyone was mentioning ki ai. Well, I haven't got to that level as to where I need to shout my ki ai, cus I'm still in the 3 weeks beginner training(and I think I'm a bit shy about attempting that as well) But my question is, is there a certain way you have to ki ai? or is it just based on how you want to ki ai?