Martial Arts Kendo Training?

Question

I am really into martial arts and competitive fighting. I have only taken about 2 (official) years of Karate training, but I am very interested in ALL styles of fighting and martial arts. I recently bought my very first Shinai (Bamboo Kendo Training Sword), and I don't any training/practice sword techniques. I can't afford any books/dvds, or schools right now. Can anyone help me find something on the internet for free that could help me? (Preferably Visual Training I am a Visual Learner.)!

Answer 1

Randall, there is no substitute for face-to-face instruction from a good teacher. If you can't afford a school now, but there's one in your area, see if you can't work a deal. Offer to clean the mats for instruction, or take out the trash, or whatever you can do. A little guidance early on can keep you from learning bad technique that you will struggle to unlearn when you finally do get good instruction.

Answer 2

i only joined for 3 years. love the martial art. too bad i have no sensei since year 2. he's the only sensei we have in the country (pretty small country and not well known) left for a job post in other places. but the advice is, take also kenjutsu and iaido/iaijutsu. kendo only trains agility and precision. to really know how to use a real sword, u must learn either or both of the latter 2. as a bamboo blade is no equal of a real sword. the handles aint the same, the feel aint the same, the centre of mass aint the same. so cutting may seem easy in kendo, but if your arm is not used to at least 1 kg of weight to your wrist, your shoulder will collapse with a swing of even an iaito.