[brurdefdoro]

mind me asking, why are you not in the beginners class? only training with the big boys on tuesdays when there's a beginners class on saturdays? surely you'll learn faster when being thought at your own level.

[viagracheapest]

MSPaintclock, if you require further proof, then please do come along on tuesday, and il be there

Not sure MSPC will be able to attend, being in Blues Brother county an' all. I'm sure if he visits the UK, your dojo will be the first port of call...

one thing ive been told i do do (that i wonderd if others did when they were beggining) is hitting too hard, if i try and hit lighter, my kiai becomes weaker.

Yeah I had this, so I cut hard and fast but I targetted a foot or so above shomen - this gave me the chance to slow the kensen down so it didn't knock motodachi into the dojo floor, without slowing the cut or reducing the spirit that went into it.

EDIT: Is Duncan your sensei?

[Kliopeion]

...that he put us as beginners in at the deep end it's also possible that he went for a sink or swim technique.

I find that there's something very unsettling about that statement.
My first question would be; "sink or swim" from what?
Is there some sort of hurry?

~Is there an evil Ninja Clan nearby that might attack?

[PypeDeft]

~Is there an evil Ninja Clan nearby that might attack?

...aquatic ninjas?

[tevyrefficy]

Did someone say: Neenjas?

....NEEEENNNJASS??

NNNEEEEENNJAAAAAAASSS~~!

[hechicxxrr]

You found Yoda at last, good for you.

On a serious note: welcome to kendo world.

[MadMark]

nope, our sensei is Mr P Wright, i dont know his first name, ive never asked, and its not really any of my business

That'll be Phil Wright then. It's no secret or 'not your business' to know your teacher's name. Don't be afraid...

[yharmon6614]

I hope that kendoka_han gets inspired by your comment and gets his butt to the dojo which is as it appears not far from him.

[BitStillrhile]

It is usually considered a bad idea doing kendo exercises outside of the dojo, like suburi, when you are still pretty new. This is for your own good if you do daily suburi by yourself, you can, and probably will, develop bad habbits, as there is no-one there to guide and correct you.
It is alot harder unlearning bad habits that just learning correct ones
but as always, ask your sensei!