Test passed!

[ironphoenix]

I passed my shodan (first-degree black belt) test in aikido yesterday, after about 15 years of practice! I'm still in Montreal for day 2 of the seminar where the tests are held, feeling a bit stiff and sore from the 5 hours of practice yesterday; it'll ease up once I get back on the mats and moving, and I have tomorrow to recover.

Comments

[resonant.livejournal.com]

Hooray!
5 hours is a lot to do all at once!

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Well, there's a substantial break for lunch :)

[metawidget]

Congrats; that sounds grueling! Enjoy the sore, the recovery and the achievement.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[xiphia.livejournal.com]

Woohoo! Congratulations!!

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks! *hug*

[xiphia.livejournal.com]

Does this mean you get to wear the spiffy black pants now? :p

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

My fancy-pants for aikido will be indigo... the presentation will be next Monday.

The fancy-pants I wear for kenjutsu are black.

[xiphia.livejournal.com]

The critical point is that you now get fancy-pants, woo! :D

[khall.livejournal.com]

Congratulations. That is a major accomplishment. It is so odd how...we do these things and then...90% of the world doesn't care. If that makes sense. It's like the store clerk and your boss and the guy walking down the street should all know. Should be told. But...that would be weird. Which is weird to me.

K.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

We are unaware of so much about each other... everyone has stories that are too seldom told.

[oni-neko.livejournal.com]

Congrats! enjoy the rest of the seminar and Montreal in general.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

*kiss* Thanks! It's easy to enjoy!

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

Woot! Congratulations!

I have a dumb Aikido question for you: How much practice do you get against people who have practiced offensive strikes/grapples before reaching your current stage?

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

It varies by dojo, of course, but we are fortunate to have several folks with considerable skill in "hard styles" to keep us honest. Our head instructor is one, with 10 years of taekwondo background; we also have a couple of students who actively practice and teach karate, as well as others with colorful histories.

[ragnhildr.livejournal.com]

Yay! Go you!

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[anvil-rage.livejournal.com]

Congrats, my friend!!

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[j-v-lynch.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks!