Layout of a Kendo class?

[Nukie]

I'm interested in learning a weaponry art, such as Kendo maybe.. .. but am curious as to what kind of fitness is done in these classes?

i'm currently practising muay thai on tuesdays and thursdays and am considering Kendo on a wednesday night..

what is the general layout of such class? mainly warmups and warm downs with some weapon training in the middle?
or is there a section of the class devoted to a strenous workout?

i can understand this will vary from instructor to instructor but i assume theres a basic layout that all instructors stick to?

[Virtuous]

From my experience you're expected to stretch out before class.

Then a warm up usually consists of practicing each cut 10 times per student.

Then practice drills till the end of class.

Usually once a week or so the class would warm up as usual and then do some quick drills and then sparring till the end of class.

[Hyaku]

It depends on the frequency of practice. I would have said 100 suburi not 10.

The main thing you must consider is that you are trying to extend forward body movement into a weapon. So its not at physical as what you do now. Main thing to warm up are the legs particularly achilles.

As mentioned its lots of training with very little Jigeiko (free practice). It takes a long time to learn the basics before you are "unleashed" upon each other.

Give it a try?

[Virtuous]

I would have said 100 suburi not 10.


10 suburi per student, 14 students = 140 suburi :)

yeah, 10 is just getting started

[Nukie]

yea cheers for the info.. i'll maybe give it a try!

is it mainly sword then or does it consider other weapons as well?
i don't know the weaponry arts at all..i'd just really heard of kendo..
i'd quite like to learn a range of weapons.. any ideas?

[Virtuous]

Kendo is Kenjutsu modified for sport so it is all sword.

[Oxymoron]

Yup, Kendo translated is roughly "The Way of the Sword" therefore it revolves solely around the sword. Usually you'd do a warm up at the start of the class, mainly stretches etc., then you would practice your suburi, many, many times...

Kendo is practiced using a bokken, an edged wooden sword used for your kata, and with a shinai, a collection of four bamboo (very rarely carbon, if you've got dosh to chuck around), which is used to whack people with (admittedly not quite as simple as that ;) )

Kendo is probably not as physical a martial art as you're used to with Muay Thai as precision is generally more important than power...

Your best bet would probably just be to go and check out a bunch of different martial arts and decide which suits you the most... Good luck (especially if you choose to go with Kendo :D )

[cloudgodd]

Originally posted by Virtuous
Kendo is Kenjutsu modified for sport so it is all sword.

actullay kenjutsu is a modified ver of kendo.....

[xLJx]

actullay kenjutsu is a modified ver of kendo.....
huh? I thought Kendo came from Kenjutsu... from what I know, Kendo is the brainchild of someone (don't know who) who wanted to turn swordsmanship into a sport...

[Nukie]

If you are more interested in a martial art with a sword similar to the katana, you might want to research Japanese Kenjutsu or Iaido, or Korean Haidong Gumdo.

Well to be honest, I only chose Kendo cuz it was the only one I could think of that specialised mainly in weaponry. With doin Muay Thai i'm not bothered about learning any new striking or clinching techniques.. nor am i wanting another strenuous workout.

Does those other arts, kenjutsu, iaido, or haidong gumdo cover any other weapons? Such as handling knives, sticks..etc..?
I'd quite like to learn Krabi Krabbong but not many Muay Thai clubs cover this.