A few questions about training outside of planned sessions

First of all I wanted to thank you for putting this website up, it has been an inspiration for me to make my first step in the way of the sword; I just started attending a dojo nearby.

I'm eager to improve and I have few questions about training outside of the dojo.

I have a garden in my house and I was wondering if I could train there: it is flat, a bit softer than wood but with very low grass. Will it damage my footwork?

Also do you have any suggestions for the duration and routine for a beginner's training session?

Thank you for your time.

Best regards,

a beginner in the way.

Answer: Thank you for your question and kind words! You have learned some basics in suburi such as joge buri, zenshin kotai shomen uchi and so forth, correct? My suggestion is to go over what you have learned from your instructor at home.

Now it is hard for you to practice footwork of kendō since it involves sliding. Of course, you have to perform suri-ashi (sliding) in the previously mentioned suburi. But if you do not have wooden floor, then here is what you should do.

- Do not lift your right toe (it is easy to do so when it is hard to perform suri-ashi)

- List your feet when moving a little enough to glide forward and back (imagine that a hang glider is gliding over really close to the land)

If you lift your right toe up when you move forward and it becomes your habit, it will be very hard for you to improve your kendō in the future.

Hope this helps.

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer and Terms of Use | COMPENSATION AND AFFILIATION AFFIDAVIT | Contact.