I want to learn how to use a sword skillfully, im 16 yrs old. I was wondering aside from just joining a gym, what can I do myself to prepare my self? Im pretty fit, I work out, im healthy. But what other things can I and should I do?
2007-12-16 06:15:15 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
Read books on the subject, like which sword art do you want to learn in particular? There's the Japanese sword arts like kendo and iaido; Chinese sword arts (including tai chi), Korean (Kuk Sool Won) and European sword arts like fencing.
2007-12-16 09:46:11 · answer #1 · answered by Mushin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read up on swords and forms. Ba Gua Broadsword, Tai Chi straight sword are some of my favorites. Buy a sword or find a way to try a few to see what kind you like. You will change and get more as you get older and into more forms.
Stand in any good martial posture with the sword and learn to relax in that posture, learn the weight and length of the sword and how to relax when you are holding outward or moving it around. the longer you stand the more things you will find that need to relax.
Practice to relax all these things sinking, rooting, breathing, seeing, thinking...
Learn to be so comfortable that you are always easily aware of the where the tip of the sword is, where the cutting edges is, where the weight of the sword is, your grip on it, the connection of the sword through your body and where it connects to the floor - and to your opponent.
Then it doesn't matter what sword form you do :)
2007-12-16 17:44:20 · answer #2 · answered by billypea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there
There are lots of different styles of sword arts like my good friend Mushin has mentioned. Books are always a good starting point. There are so many things to look at when using swords from, Mochkai (ways of holding), Kamae (stances), 10 directional ways of cutting, iai (drawing), Sabaki (body movement) etc. Its hard to really say whats best to start with but without an instructor i would say practise moving whilst keeping your centre of gravity in one place and keep your body at the same height/level. If you pick up a bokken chances are you will holding it wrong and as a result all your cutting and drawing will be incorrect from start to finish. It is true that the sword is a very limited weapon but you must apply the correct principles in order to understand it. People say that the sword doesn't have its place in modern society. But the principles you learn from it certainly do!
Best wishes
idai
2007-12-17 11:02:19 · answer #3 · answered by idai 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take Aikido. There you would learn some sword and bokken skills. BUT you could also translate those skills to open hand techniques. That would be more beneficial since, now days... people dont carry swords around.
2007-12-17 01:39:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Learn to balance your inner self and study the sword techniques
2007-12-16 14:18:04 · answer #5 · answered by Live.Laugh.Love 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get a wiffle-ball bat.
Dude - you're getting redundant - you already ASKED a similar question. Add details to the question and save on your points.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlFGTTgEFOxcfN.70bQt4Frsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071216105610AAYK1ZG
2007-12-16 14:19:39 · answer #6 · answered by thedavecorp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Practice sitting in seiza.
2007-12-16 17:09:19 · answer #7 · answered by lee49202 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋