[trubreTab]

i can fit my pinky finger in my men grill but for those who cant do that i suggest a chop-stick, i used to carry one in my bag.

[NarhozNic]

Our classes are 2 hours long. but most of the last 1/2 hour is discussion. Like I said if someone was at a point where they really needed water, they could ask, but no one does. I could see 3 hour classes needing a break. I'll ask my sensei more about it.

[Sandra_18X]

Remember, your nose will only itch when you lose the ability to scratch it. Haha, no just kidding, I also use a chopstick.

[Haremporblape]

i use my water bottle straw. its big enough to get a drink with my men on so why not itch my nose too?

pretty gross huh?

[connandoilee]

i can fit my pinky finger in my men grill but for those who cant do that i suggest a chop-stick, i used to carry one in my bag.

Yeah every 1 at my dojo has a chop stick that the keep under their zekken it their face itches.

[heilyprollecyspor]

Yeah, I just ignored them, now they don't bother me. Piggy, you can drink water during class? That's a huge taboo in my class. When I was only a couple weeks into kendo one of the other new students drank during practice, when all the senior students had on full bogu. Though our sensei didn't yell at him, he made it clear that it was not appropriate. Anyone else care to share if they can or can't drink?

[Andrius]

we only drink when sensei says so but we do get ice cold pop after practice though, courtesy of the club. pretty sweet eh?

~taganahan

[nancywind]

Haha, yeah this happens to just about everyone when they first put on men, at least in my dojo. I remember seeing specialty face scratchers at this little shop set up for a taikai last year, but I just use my little finger and go in from the side of the men gane when I get an itch.

[Suentiend]

In dojo where I have trained, there is usually a brief break between drills and jigeiko. Then was always an appropriate time to get water and everyone usually did.

I understand about not wanting to hurt the flow of practice, but if it comes down to people fainting or allowing them to get some water, shouldn't common sense kick in? I can see it being a problem if people are constantly doing it, but within reason, why not?

[Bigroza]

i can go all day and my nose doesn't itch. then as the MEN is completely tied. my nose itches. any ideas on what to use to scratch nose without removing MEN.

[marcusdexz]

My face usually gets itchy when sweat is dripping from my face...
that is so annoying! it stings when it gets in my eyes also.
isn't there something to avoid that? someone said to me to put vaseline in your eyebrows so the sweat goes to the side of your face. maybe I should try that some time...

[JOR4qxYH]

Anyone had someone else's spittle fly into their men when they kiai?

[Sillaycheg]

Yeah every 1 at my dojo has a chop stick that the keep under their zekken it their face itches.

Ahhh, very good idea. I can get heaps of those break apart ones too.

*makes note*

At least I won't have to use a pen or my car keys again.

[c6vkuNRg]

The tenugui should absorb most of your sweat. I know that I sometimes wear it a little higher on my forehead because it is comfortable that way, but if you wear it a little lower, not to the point where it could fall over you eyes of course, it should do a better job of keeping the sweat from your eyes.

[DraidodaRip]

I guess our "no water" comes from our dojo have old school roots. IE predrinking straws. We never have a break, we move from session to session rather quickly. Since those with bogu on can't drink, it is customary for everyone to wait. I guess using water bottles with straws makes a lot of sense. We just don't do it though. Obviously if someone is feeling faint, theyd tell the sensei and be allowed water, but that's never come up. I never have felt the need for water though. I usual drink after, but I'm not dieing of thirst. I just make sure I'm hydrated before class starts.

thanks for the the input... any one else?

that sounds pretty cruel not being able to get a drink. how long do your practices go for? ours last 3 hours.
i guess i like the water because i push myself untill i feel sick and almost pass out then i stop and get a drink of water and continue.

Marsten sensei said something about water breaks awhile back. although i cant exactly remember what he said, i know that he strongly suggested water breaks.

anyway, i dont think its such a good idea that you arent allowed water breaks but if it is your dojos policy, who am i to say what is right?

[emupsMaispubs]

I always get itches when the men goes on, but you just have to ignore and it will go away. Annoying as it is, once I begin drills or jigeiko, I don't realize I have an itch because of course people are trying to hit me. You've got to prioritize what you think about, and thus the itch gets ignored and goes away and cries in the corner since I am not paying attention to it.

[valensds]

we only drink when sensei says so but we do get ice cold pop after practice though, courtesy of the club. pretty sweet eh?

~taganahan

I'd personally skip the POP in favor of water. We've been known to head to a pub for a pint and a cigar after a particularly good session.

[LsrSRVxR]

aaah LoL have the same problem well... since my men is a bit big on me my pink just fits through to scratch my nose with my nail!

or you can use a long sate stick

[johnlohanmclee]

I guess our "no water" comes from our dojo have old school roots. IE predrinking straws. We never have a break, we move from session to session rather quickly. Since those with bogu on can't drink, it is customary for everyone to wait. I guess using water bottles with straws makes a lot of sense. We just don't do it though. Obviously if someone is feeling faint, theyd tell the sensei and be allowed water, but that's never come up. I never have felt the need for water though. I usual drink after, but I'm not dieing of thirst. I just make sure I'm hydrated before class starts.

thanks for the the input... any one else?

[obHQNsY2]

Yeah, I just ignored them, now they don't bother me. Piggy, you can drink water during class? That's a huge taboo in my class. When I was only a couple weeks into kendo one of the other new students drank during practice, when all the senior students had on full bogu. Though our sensei didn't yell at him, he made it clear that it was not appropriate. Anyone else care to share if they can or can't drink?

Why is that though? My guess it maybe is to do with keeping the flow of the training session going

If we have a couple minutes break then maybe I'll get a bit of water, but most times I just have a bit before training begins and a lot at the end.