Way of a Swede (from 8 kyu to...)

[sensei8]

Yes, I would like more training sessions and two dojos each week to choose from to maybe be able to increase the amount of training each week. But today we were back in our club dojo, my daughter was happy, enjoyed the session a lot and was more committed than any session last semester. Maybe she needed to ”see the grass on the other side” of the proverbial fence to really appreciate the training of our club. She really enjoys to keep performing techniques on her dad as well .

I told C I afterwards that she had been thinking about quitting but now have decided to continue in our club. He answered that they will make sure to take more care of her progress as well and help her improve at her current level.

Of course it’s a challenging situation for her. Today we were all teenagers and adults, only brown and black belts - and my little brave 8-yearold with her yellow belt with a single stripe.

Anyhow, the decision has been made, the semester fee has been paid. And I will keep cherishing the father-daughter-time we will keep having together each Saturday.

Bruised but happy after three rounds of ”full contact” kumite with three different partners before the advanced session ended, I can finally definitely say: Spring semester of club training has begun!

Brought a big smile to my face while reading your post, Wayofaswede. Seems that you and your daughter have many years together on the floor. I loved it when you said that your daughter was on the floor as a yellow belt amongst the brown and black belts which speaks in volumes about the CI and the dojo.

Train hard and train well.

[aurik]

Yes, I would like more training sessions and two dojos each week to choose from to maybe be able to increase the amount of training each week. But today we were back in our club dojo, my daughter was happy, enjoyed the session a lot and was more committed than any session last semester. Maybe she needed to ”see the grass on the other side” of the proverbial fence to really appreciate the training of our club. She really enjoys to keep performing techniques on her dad as well .

I told C I afterwards that she had been thinking about quitting but now have decided to continue in our club. He answered that they will make sure to take more care of her progress as well and help her improve at her current level.

Of course it’s a challenging situation for her. Today we were all teenagers and adults, only brown and black belts - and my little brave 8-yearold with her yellow belt with a single stripe.

Anyhow, the decision has been made, the semester fee has been paid. And I will keep cherishing the father-daughter-time we will keep having together each Saturday.

Bruised but happy after three rounds of ”full contact” kumite with three different partners before the advanced session ended, I can finally definitely say: Spring semester of club training has begun!

I'm glad to hear that you and your mini-me were able to decide on continuing with your current club. Honestly, when I was a low-rank (white/yellow belt), I would always enjoy training with the right black belts, because they would always give me pointers and help me improve my technique. So hopefully your fellow advanced students will give your daughter the same treatment.

Good luck on your training this semester, both of you!

[bushido_man96]

That's awesome! Glad you two are getting to keep at it together!

[Wayofaswede]

Thanks, bushidoman. All support during the ”bumps” along the MA road from you and the others here means a lot

[bushido_man96]

Thanks, bushidoman. All support during the ”bumps” along the MA road from you and the others here means a lot

I appreciate that.

[Wayofaswede]

…and thank you Sensei and Aurik, missed that you had posted (blame it on the phone display )

[Wayofaswede]

Finally back in the dojo for first autumn semester session. Missed quite a few sessions this spring due to drumming in a music show and gigging with the band.

Happy to go there today with both my daughters, my youngest soon-to-be-7 is also thinking about joining the club

Wish you all a great autumn semester. Happy training!

[sensei8]

Being in a band as a drummer just seems so darn COOL all the way around. I'd to the gigging too because the dojo can chill for a moment. Great news about your 7-year-old might be joining you all on the floor.

[bushido_man96]

I agree! Great to have the family on the mat.

[Wayofaswede]

Thanks a lot Sensei and bushidoman. This was a weird semester: Most of the time I have only been able to train one hour/week at the club - the club now actually only offers one 2x1h-session/week - due to having both daughters with me (my youngest one will probably take a break after Christmas).

Nevertheless, I was allowed to test for 1st kyu. My oldest daughter for 6th. Last week has finally been karate intense with kata and bunkai runthroughs and studies every day.

The test was today and - long and very challenging story short - we both passed. I was even allowed to go directly from 2 kyu to Shodan-ho!  Such a great ending to an uneven year when it comes to actual club practice. Glad to at last have some news to share, hope you all have had a great semester. 
 

I really like the new design of the forum

Edited 18 hours ago by Wayofaswede