Hi everyone, I'm new here, but from what I can tell there are quite a few students of Aikido here so I figured/hoped this would be a good place to get some opinions. I actually have a bunch of questions but will attack them one at a time
Firstly I have been training for a little over 3.5 years now and not long ago graded to 1st kyu, which brings me to my first conern as per the title : I think I am over graded! I just don't think that 3.5 years is long enough to be this high (6th kyu being the lowest in our school). I mean I can apply for shodan in 9months time and I just don't think I have the understanding that should be necessary for this level. I mean I can do the techniques on the cirriculum ok, but surely there should be more required of us than a simple display of rote learning?!?
Plus of all the gradings I have been to in our school I have only seen one person fail because just flat out didn't know his stuff... poor execusion seems to be ok though.
So basically is 4.5-5 years long enough to expect to reach shodan or is it too quick? Plus should we be doing more than simply copying techniques?
Thanks.
Firstly I have been training for a little over 3.5 years now and not long ago graded to 1st kyu, which brings me to my first conern as per the title : I think I am over graded! I just don't think that 3.5 years is long enough to be this high (6th kyu being the lowest in our school). I mean I can apply for shodan in 9months time and I just don't think I have the understanding that should be necessary for this level. I mean I can do the techniques on the cirriculum ok, but surely there should be more required of us than a simple display of rote learning?!?
Plus of all the gradings I have been to in our school I have only seen one person fail because just flat out didn't know his stuff... poor execusion seems to be ok though.
So basically is 4.5-5 years long enough to expect to reach shodan or is it too quick? Plus should we be doing more than simply copying techniques?
Thanks.