[Anamehuskeene]

So heres the deal.
The shower at the dojo I practice at is broken. It only puts out cold water...and I mean icy cold water. I've tried a few times and I can only last 2 or 3 seconds before I give up. This in itself isn't the problem...The problem is, I take the train home and the trains are almost always full.

Do I a) Suffer and take the shower or b) Stink, and make others suffer

What would you do?

[Niiinioa]

I'm tempted to include a buddist quote here about suffering but...Nah!

If you keep taking ice cold showers you risk your health in the long run I think. If you expose other people to your body odours then that will be icky but not bad for anyones health.

[outdog]

ha!

imagine that you have the same problem, but instead of a dojo, you are in a motel with some girl

THAT would be a dilemma....

[Poohoppesmase]

I've got the same problem (they're going to demolish the dojo next month ). I'm not a big fan of a cold shower, So all I can say is: Stink away

But what do you mean? Don't you fellow passangers enjoy the smell of sweat and smokey deer leather?

Small tip: Ever heard of deodorant? Use it!

[PhillipHer]

wow, a dojo with a shower! I'd love one of them!!

[seekfrieddy]

I second fred's wise opinion thou...

[kylsq0Ln]

ha!

imagine that you have the same problem, but instead of a dojo, you are in a motel with some girl

THAT would be a dilemma....

Ahem.
When it was my turn, the cheap motel 's water heater broke down and persisted for about 2 hours. couldnt wait anymore so....
I showered even though it was icy cold. Had to hide under the covers for an hour or two to warm up.

[OnlineViagraCheapestFREE]

You are in Japan, so make everyone suffer on the train, you stink like kendo bogu...so that is OK.

You could stink of beer, sochu or my favorite Japanese train friend(s), the ones havn't discovered the purpose of toliet paper (or are too cheap to bother with it)!

[Allorneadesee]

So heres the deal.
The shower at the dojo I practice at is broken. It only puts out cold water...and I mean icy cold water. I've tried a few times and I can only last 2 or 3 seconds before I give up. This in itself isn't the problem...The problem is, I take the train home and the trains are almost always full.

Do I a) Suffer and take the shower or b) Stink, and make others suffer

What would you do?

I make 'em suffer. I've even considered giving out free kendo hugs to all the fashion model wannabes.

If you're really selfconscious about it go to one of the end cars that has fewer people and stand in a corner. I find that once people see the shinai and bogu bag they tend to hang back so you should have your own little area to stew in.

[Poeetiol]

Try this, and then shower when you get home...

[DoctorTentonyya]

wow, a dojo with a shower! I'd love one of them!!

Man, I thought exactly the same. our new venue for during the week only has a toilet.

Anyway, if you dont want to take a cold shower, bring a towel and have a wash the old way (using a bar of soap and the sink), do your hands, chest and armpits, that should take away the worst of the funk. I have done this before, and dried myself with a tenugui

[Extinimot]

It brings to mind an ancient chinese proverb.......

"If you must suffer make others suffer as well..." Bring on the STINK!!! I love the smell of wet bogu, hakama and gi.

[Narkeere]

When I used to do Judo eons ago, we used to shower with well water afterwards. During the summer, it's fun. But when winter comes and snow covers the well, we had to break the ice to get some water. Steam coming from our young bodies made foggy all around. Some days it was like -20 centidegree outside. I am not telling you to get sick but endurance thru suffering is what MA is all about. If pain or environment stops you ( like injury, cut, broken arms etc :-) then you are defeated and your opponent won. Anyway, it feels so good after taking a cold shower if I remember correctly. Why forego such a good thing? Once you get used to it, it won't be that hard. Until then, get to shower quickly after practice before you get cooled off. It'll help somewhat.

[Nurba]

Try this, and then shower when you get home...

I second that... is not like a shower but you won't make ppl suffer for at least an hour (more or less the time this things last when you've not shower yet), I think is time enough for you to make it home and get a warm nice shower.

[Peterli]

I've got the same problem (they're going to demolish the dojo next month

Why?? Are they going to build a new one?

[eduptultyt]

I know its a cliché..but doesn't the japanese think Gaijin smell bad enough as it is? Perhaps that should be included in the equation.

[enteltcheft]

bring a towel and have a wash the old way .

I agree with the previous. You'll feel fresher but not be frozen.

(Me, I've never had a problem with cold showers. Very bracing.)

[SawbasyWrab]

go commando and bring a deordarant spray.

or if you wanna be even cleaner. Bring two towels with you. One, you wet and wet your body and somewhat clean it with... and the other to dry yourself.

[Stoottnoiciek]

I'm tempted to include a buddist quote here about suffering but...Nah!

If you keep taking ice cold showers you risk your health in the long run I think. If you expose other people to your body odours then that will be icky but not bad for anyones health.

Sorry for the thread hijack, but I've searched google a few minutes and seems there are mixed opinions on cold showers and health benefits/detriments. What kinds of long term risks are you referring to?

I'm just curious because my quick search seems to lean towards more cold shower benefits than not. Then again, it's kind of like asking for medical advice on a kendo forum

[u2ZQGC6b]

What you should do is fix the problem at the dojo. (Not only would it show good initiative on your part, but just think how highly everyone else will think of you - even though the latter is NOT why you should do it - you should be doing it for the benefit of your school, fellow students and instructors.)

If that is not possible then you could use a wash cloth and get that wet and then scrub yourself with that (ie sponge bath).

Also, try to realise that the more trials and tribulations that you put yourself through the stronger of a martial artist (and person) you become (as long as it is done with the right spirit/ettiquette).