Did the unthinkable (my Aikido journey)
- Thread starter TDWoj
- Start date
Purplelotus1
Active Member
How exactly does the testing and ranking go in the art you are taking?
They follow the guidelines of Hombu Dojo in Japan.
6th kyu isn't an official test - our dojo has them as a kind of beginner's test, so that they can see how well you have learned the basics. 5th kyu is the first official test, and you have to know eight techniques, one advanced and one basic ukemi technique to demonstrate, and, in our dojo, there's also weapons requirements - basic kata in bokken and jo.
You have to have a certain number of practice days before you can test. The count of practice days starts back at "1" after each test.
6th kyu - 40 practice days
5th kyu - 60 practice days
4th kyu - 80 practice days
3rd kyu - 100 practice days
2nd kyu - 200 practice days
1st kyu - 300 practice days
Sho-Dan - 400 practice days
Ni-Dan - 600 practice days
San-Dan - 700 practice days
You are tested in your own dojo up to 2nd kyu. Those testing for 1st kyu and above are judged by a shihan. Exceptions for 1st kyu's being tested in their own dojos are those like me, for instance - with physicial limitations, or older students who started aikido in middle age.
It's unlikely I'll be taking any more tests after my 5th kyu test (which will be on March 9). I cannot do the techniques listed in 4th kyu, particularly the ukemi techniques and the suwari waza (from the kneeling position), and it isn't likely even with the number of practice days in between 5th and 4th that I can conquer my body's physical limitations in that time.
With my back as bad as it is, I'm lucky I can still do the little that I am. The damage caused by the accident in class has pretty much taken away any future I thought I would have in aikido. I've resigned myself to going just for the joy of practicing the techniques, for the beauty of the movement, and for the camaraderie of the other students. The cold, harsh reality of my severe physical limitations dictates that I have to give up my dream of earning the skirt (hakama) which in our dojo is awarded at 1st kyu.
These things happen. I can't change them, I can only accept them, and hope that things get better.
6th kyu isn't an official test - our dojo has them as a kind of beginner's test, so that they can see how well you have learned the basics. 5th kyu is the first official test, and you have to know eight techniques, one advanced and one basic ukemi technique to demonstrate, and, in our dojo, there's also weapons requirements - basic kata in bokken and jo.
You have to have a certain number of practice days before you can test. The count of practice days starts back at "1" after each test.
6th kyu - 40 practice days
5th kyu - 60 practice days
4th kyu - 80 practice days
3rd kyu - 100 practice days
2nd kyu - 200 practice days
1st kyu - 300 practice days
Sho-Dan - 400 practice days
Ni-Dan - 600 practice days
San-Dan - 700 practice days
You are tested in your own dojo up to 2nd kyu. Those testing for 1st kyu and above are judged by a shihan. Exceptions for 1st kyu's being tested in their own dojos are those like me, for instance - with physicial limitations, or older students who started aikido in middle age.
It's unlikely I'll be taking any more tests after my 5th kyu test (which will be on March 9). I cannot do the techniques listed in 4th kyu, particularly the ukemi techniques and the suwari waza (from the kneeling position), and it isn't likely even with the number of practice days in between 5th and 4th that I can conquer my body's physical limitations in that time.
With my back as bad as it is, I'm lucky I can still do the little that I am. The damage caused by the accident in class has pretty much taken away any future I thought I would have in aikido. I've resigned myself to going just for the joy of practicing the techniques, for the beauty of the movement, and for the camaraderie of the other students. The cold, harsh reality of my severe physical limitations dictates that I have to give up my dream of earning the skirt (hakama) which in our dojo is awarded at 1st kyu.
These things happen. I can't change them, I can only accept them, and hope that things get better.
Thanks, Aikilove, and yes, that's so true! I never expected to be facing a physical disability that would restrict my movement. I take each day as it comes, offer thanks that I have what I have, and live in hope that I will still be able to do a little of what I have come to love so much.
A couple of updates:
I sent the recording of my 6th kyu test over to my friend's place, and it's gotten lost there... they're still looking for it, so I hope it hasn't vanished altogether. Should have made a copy before I sent it over, I guess.
We had a for-the-dojo-only seminar with a sensei who was my sensei's teacher back in the day. It wasn't a big affair like it was last year because we couldn't get the space at the YMCA. It's getting really difficult to find space to hold a large seminar - our dojo is just too small to accommodate everyone. That's one of the reasons why we're looking for a bigger space.
Anyhow, they split the seminar into three sessions - unranked to 4th kyu, Saturday morning (with kids participating in the first hour of the two hour session); afternoon session was 3rd kyu and above. Sunday's session was instructors and by invitation.
This Sensei doesn't stand on ceremony (or rank) when he demonstrates - I nearly had heart failure when he waved me to the front! And I had to do ukemi (fortunately, it was backward ukemi, which I can handle fairly well).
There was an odd number of participants, so towards the end of the second class, I found myself as a loose third person waiting my turn with a pair, and the Sensei sidled up and offered himself as my partner.
My first thought was, "I'm going to die."
And then, recalling what happened the last time an instructor partnered with me, my second thought was, "I'm going to kill the instructor."
Well, he didn't, and I didn't, so no one had to call 911 (whew).
We were working on morotetori kokyuho, irimi entry. I finally figured out I wasn't doing a complete 180. Once I did, everything else went as it was supposed to, and down Sensei went (*gulp*).
I stayed to watch the afternoon class, and came back the next day to watch the instructors class. Very interesting stuff. I was the only one taking photographs, though, so I ended up missing a lot of stuff because I was trying to get good shots (really hard to do, at the speed at which some of the participants were moving).
This week we have another visiting instructor teaching the evening classes. That is one big dude, man. And he remembered my name from last year, and I got picked to demo by him (fortunately, no ukemi required, this time).
Having been picked to demo with these two instructors, I feel like I'm really part of the class now, contributing, as well as learning. I don't expect to be asked again, but for a couple of days, I felt like a real aikidoka (I hope that's the right word).
The CT scan still hasn't turned up at my doctor's office. I'm trying not to future-trip about the results. The pain comes and goes, the tingling in my leg comes and goes, but at least there's no numbness, though my left leg is noticeably weaker now than my right. I'm still struggling with my anger about the accident and its effect on recovery from the slipped disc. This spiritual harmony thing is hard....
I sent the recording of my 6th kyu test over to my friend's place, and it's gotten lost there... they're still looking for it, so I hope it hasn't vanished altogether. Should have made a copy before I sent it over, I guess.
We had a for-the-dojo-only seminar with a sensei who was my sensei's teacher back in the day. It wasn't a big affair like it was last year because we couldn't get the space at the YMCA. It's getting really difficult to find space to hold a large seminar - our dojo is just too small to accommodate everyone. That's one of the reasons why we're looking for a bigger space.
Anyhow, they split the seminar into three sessions - unranked to 4th kyu, Saturday morning (with kids participating in the first hour of the two hour session); afternoon session was 3rd kyu and above. Sunday's session was instructors and by invitation.
This Sensei doesn't stand on ceremony (or rank) when he demonstrates - I nearly had heart failure when he waved me to the front! And I had to do ukemi (fortunately, it was backward ukemi, which I can handle fairly well).
There was an odd number of participants, so towards the end of the second class, I found myself as a loose third person waiting my turn with a pair, and the Sensei sidled up and offered himself as my partner.
My first thought was, "I'm going to die."
And then, recalling what happened the last time an instructor partnered with me, my second thought was, "I'm going to kill the instructor."
Well, he didn't, and I didn't, so no one had to call 911 (whew).
We were working on morotetori kokyuho, irimi entry. I finally figured out I wasn't doing a complete 180. Once I did, everything else went as it was supposed to, and down Sensei went (*gulp*).
I stayed to watch the afternoon class, and came back the next day to watch the instructors class. Very interesting stuff. I was the only one taking photographs, though, so I ended up missing a lot of stuff because I was trying to get good shots (really hard to do, at the speed at which some of the participants were moving).
This week we have another visiting instructor teaching the evening classes. That is one big dude, man. And he remembered my name from last year, and I got picked to demo by him (fortunately, no ukemi required, this time).
Having been picked to demo with these two instructors, I feel like I'm really part of the class now, contributing, as well as learning. I don't expect to be asked again, but for a couple of days, I felt like a real aikidoka (I hope that's the right word).
The CT scan still hasn't turned up at my doctor's office. I'm trying not to future-trip about the results. The pain comes and goes, the tingling in my leg comes and goes, but at least there's no numbness, though my left leg is noticeably weaker now than my right. I'm still struggling with my anger about the accident and its effect on recovery from the slipped disc. This spiritual harmony thing is hard....
My 5th kyu test is coming up on Thursday this week.
Wouldn't you know it, I've got an avalanche of work, so it's unlikely I'll be able to get to class this week.
In other news, I have the results of my CT scan. The news is -
I have four problems. The first two are as a result of the arthritis in my vertebrae, which I knew I had, but didn't know it was as bad as it is. The arthritis is causing something called "spinal stenosis". The bone growth/bone spurs from the arthritis is growing the bone inward, so that it is squeezing my spine. It is also squeezing the remaining discs, and they are all bulging inward, pressing against my spine.
The third problem is that the L4 vertebrae - second from the bottom, above the tailbone - is dislocated, jutting towards the left about half an inch. This is forcing my spine to curve. One wrong move... well. That accident in class in December didn't help, that's for sure. At the moment it's jammed absolutely solid and motionless.
The fourth problem is a birth defect. The opening through which the nerves leave the spine for other parts of the body is too small, and with the bone spurs from the arthritis, is putting the pinch on all the nerves.
Can I still take aikido? was, of course, the first question out of my mouth.
Yes. In fact, I pretty much HAVE to take aikido, for as long as I can, forever, because it's keeping the arthritis at bay.
I don't need cortisone shots - yet. I don't need surgery - yet.
I do, however, need physiotherapy.
Unfortunately, they took physiotherapy off the list of services paid for by our social health care system, so I have to pay for it out of my own pocket.
$45 per 20-minute visit, twice per week for 2 months. Not a lot of money, for some - but it may as well be the price of a new car.
I can't afford it.
I see rich people throwing their money around on stupid, inconsequential stuff, buying things like solid silver collars for dogs, and for the price of just one of those silver collars, I could get the treatment I need so I won't end up in a wheelchair (which is where I'm headed, because even the aikido won't keep the arthritis from severing my spine, eventually).
Some days, it's hard not to be bitter.
But I have my 5th kyu test on Thursday.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Wouldn't you know it, I've got an avalanche of work, so it's unlikely I'll be able to get to class this week.
In other news, I have the results of my CT scan. The news is -
I have four problems. The first two are as a result of the arthritis in my vertebrae, which I knew I had, but didn't know it was as bad as it is. The arthritis is causing something called "spinal stenosis". The bone growth/bone spurs from the arthritis is growing the bone inward, so that it is squeezing my spine. It is also squeezing the remaining discs, and they are all bulging inward, pressing against my spine.
The third problem is that the L4 vertebrae - second from the bottom, above the tailbone - is dislocated, jutting towards the left about half an inch. This is forcing my spine to curve. One wrong move... well. That accident in class in December didn't help, that's for sure. At the moment it's jammed absolutely solid and motionless.
The fourth problem is a birth defect. The opening through which the nerves leave the spine for other parts of the body is too small, and with the bone spurs from the arthritis, is putting the pinch on all the nerves.
Can I still take aikido? was, of course, the first question out of my mouth.
Yes. In fact, I pretty much HAVE to take aikido, for as long as I can, forever, because it's keeping the arthritis at bay.
I don't need cortisone shots - yet. I don't need surgery - yet.
I do, however, need physiotherapy.
Unfortunately, they took physiotherapy off the list of services paid for by our social health care system, so I have to pay for it out of my own pocket.
$45 per 20-minute visit, twice per week for 2 months. Not a lot of money, for some - but it may as well be the price of a new car.
I can't afford it.
I see rich people throwing their money around on stupid, inconsequential stuff, buying things like solid silver collars for dogs, and for the price of just one of those silver collars, I could get the treatment I need so I won't end up in a wheelchair (which is where I'm headed, because even the aikido won't keep the arthritis from severing my spine, eventually).
Some days, it's hard not to be bitter.
But I have my 5th kyu test on Thursday.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Well, I passed my 5th kyu test.
Whee!
Again, I surprised the heck out of everyone - including myself. People kept coming up to me afterwards, in a steady stream, and they all said the same thing, "amazing", "you did really well", "great technique". One comment I got was that I was able to correct my mistakes as I went along - so if I did a technique once, and made a mistake, then the next time I did it, I corrected it; compared to the guys who were testing for 4th kyu, they made a mistake and then just kept on making the same mistake.
Something that's not on the test requirements is the "do another technique from gyaku hanmi" and "ai hanmi". I was terrified I was going to blank out, but then I remembered, "just do a ten kan and something will come to you," and it did.
Someone told me afterward that my weapons technique was better than the guys testing for 4th!
I know it sounds like I'm blowing my own horn, but if you knew what a struggle it's been for me the past few months, with my back problems and financial difficulties and just all around stress and depression, having this kind of positive reinforcement really does a lot for my general state of mind, and for uplifting my spirits.
Not to mention the fact that never have I ever done anything physical that I was any good at - until now.
I don't know if I'll be able to take any more tests - my back may not allow it - but at least I have this little bit of success to carry me through for a while.
Thank you, everyone, for your support. Keep your fingers crossed that I will be able to continue practicing aikido!
Whee!
Again, I surprised the heck out of everyone - including myself. People kept coming up to me afterwards, in a steady stream, and they all said the same thing, "amazing", "you did really well", "great technique". One comment I got was that I was able to correct my mistakes as I went along - so if I did a technique once, and made a mistake, then the next time I did it, I corrected it; compared to the guys who were testing for 4th kyu, they made a mistake and then just kept on making the same mistake.
Something that's not on the test requirements is the "do another technique from gyaku hanmi" and "ai hanmi". I was terrified I was going to blank out, but then I remembered, "just do a ten kan and something will come to you," and it did.
Someone told me afterward that my weapons technique was better than the guys testing for 4th!
I know it sounds like I'm blowing my own horn, but if you knew what a struggle it's been for me the past few months, with my back problems and financial difficulties and just all around stress and depression, having this kind of positive reinforcement really does a lot for my general state of mind, and for uplifting my spirits.
Not to mention the fact that never have I ever done anything physical that I was any good at - until now.
I don't know if I'll be able to take any more tests - my back may not allow it - but at least I have this little bit of success to carry me through for a while.
Thank you, everyone, for your support. Keep your fingers crossed that I will be able to continue practicing aikido!
ORANGATUANG
Wildfire
Well done TD... Continued success..
Thanks, Heather and Pandora! Yes, it is good for the mind, that's one of the reasons I chose aikido over other martial arts.
Same thing happened at this test as on my last one - I can't remember what I did! But my friend was able to come, and she said she recorded it on her digital camera, though she's not confident she actually did record it... but if she did, and if I can, I will try to get it from her (and my 6th kyu test, if she ever finds the dvd!) and try to post it somewhere on the internet.
Same thing happened at this test as on my last one - I can't remember what I did! But my friend was able to come, and she said she recorded it on her digital camera, though she's not confident she actually did record it... but if she did, and if I can, I will try to get it from her (and my 6th kyu test, if she ever finds the dvd!) and try to post it somewhere on the internet.
Pandora
Member
That would be great TD! I never did any martial arts in my younger years, although I used to use their exercises - strengthened my arms and shoulders
for swimming and lifesaving.
I have started Tai Chi which is so calming and feels like dancing - Yoga always had me in fits of laughter - I just couldn't keep in some positions for very long or keep still. Guess I'm a movement girl LOL! I do hope your bones become stronger. Can the doc reduce those spurs? Might help - my older brother had them operated on and reduced by laser. Now he goes for real long walks and cycles for miles each day - he is older than me! Keep it up TD!!!!
for swimming and lifesaving.
I have started Tai Chi which is so calming and feels like dancing - Yoga always had me in fits of laughter - I just couldn't keep in some positions for very long or keep still. Guess I'm a movement girl LOL! I do hope your bones become stronger. Can the doc reduce those spurs? Might help - my older brother had them operated on and reduced by laser. Now he goes for real long walks and cycles for miles each day - he is older than me! Keep it up TD!!!!
ORANGATUANG
Wildfire
Me too Pandora thats as far as i got to thinking about it...My neice who is 10 wants to go to learn martial arts down an local place..she aint to young is she?..Isnt Tai Chi an relaxing like thing ..maybe i should try it...maybe..
Pandora said:
At the moment, the doctor says just doing the aikido will help with the arthritis. It won't stop the bone growth completely, but it'll slow it down, and keep me flexible. He doesn't recommend surgery just yet. (Thank goodness; even the thought of surgery gives me the willies.)
Tai Chi, by the way, is a martial art; I've seen it done. Very interesting, as it the martial aspect of it is also done in slow motion. But Tai Chi is very good for developing muscle strength and stamina. I wish I could do it, but here in Toronto, it's very expensive.
ORANGATUANG said:
We've got kids as young as 5 in our kids aikido class. Mind you, ones that young have attention span issues...
Tai Chi is a good one to do. It also develops muscle strength and balance.
Pandora
Member
TD and Heather - you can rent Tai Chi videos. Some of them are very good - that's how I started. Yes, it is like a slow graceful dance. I also use it because I have left side balance problems after a minor stroke a few years ago. I very gently and slowly stretches the muscles and you don't feel as though you have been run over by a train the next day LOLOL!!!!!
ORANGATUANG
Wildfire
I will go check out my local videos stores Pandora ...really TD 5 years old ..just my oldest brother has moved down my way and his daughter has taken an interest to martial arts..she is an tough little girl no way does she take any crap from bullies at school..wonder who she takes after in that sense?..no crap from any one..who knows down the line she might teach her auntie some moves..thanks girls..
Sorry TD, I have been away from the boards for a while (up to my neck in work for the moment).
Congratulations on your grading!
I'm very happy that aikido helps you in your every day life. The only realy worth while spin off of aikido in my mind!
I also have had time to do an examination of my own. For 2 dan. I passed, and it looked good according to the onlookers. But reading your posts make me feel like my 2nd dan is a fart in space compared to your 5th kyu and general achievements, concidering your physic.
Stil, try not to think of yourself as: - I will be happy with what I have, since I have my disabilaties etc. It will only hinder you in whatever you do. (I know... easy for me to say!)
/J
Congratulations on your grading!
I'm very happy that aikido helps you in your every day life. The only realy worth while spin off of aikido in my mind!
I also have had time to do an examination of my own. For 2 dan. I passed, and it looked good according to the onlookers. But reading your posts make me feel like my 2nd dan is a fart in space compared to your 5th kyu and general achievements, concidering your physic.
Stil, try not to think of yourself as: - I will be happy with what I have, since I have my disabilaties etc. It will only hinder you in whatever you do. (I know... easy for me to say!)
/J
"Yes. In fact, I pretty much HAVE to take aikido, for as long as I can, forever, because it's keeping the arthritis at bay. "
My Husband has arthritis in his hip and the doctor told him to keep it up as it is keeping his hip working vut at some point he will need a new hip :-(
He has a friend who stopped when he was diagnosed with arthritis and a year later he was worst. The doctor told him to go back to Akidio.
I hope you are well.
My Husband has arthritis in his hip and the doctor told him to keep it up as it is keeping his hip working vut at some point he will need a new hip :-(
He has a friend who stopped when he was diagnosed with arthritis and a year later he was worst. The doctor told him to go back to Akidio.
I hope you are well.