Training in Iaido

Hello All!

Well, its been a long time in coming, but I think thats its time that I post on this site and discuss this wonderful art that I have recently discovered.

I am writing this mostly for those that wish to begin in Iaido. Because although there is a lot of information out there, I am going to use this time to write about my experiences with Iaido and what it has done for me.

A little bit about me. I love martial arts. I have my whole life. I have taken so many different arts that its ridiculous. However, the ones that I've stuck with mostly are of chinese origin. I have taken Gung-fu in a couple of different styles for several years now. In my attempts to discover the 'one' martial art for me, I have concluded what many have said all along...they are all excellent and I wish I would have just stuck with one or two different styles from the beginning.

What led me to Iaido was a need to learn more about the sword arts. I have always loved the Katana and the mystery surrounding this sword. It is absolutely beautiful and at first, I just wanted to maybe begin collecting them. However, I decided that if I was going to collect them I wanted to also know how to use one.

I found the club here in Calgary and went to my first class to just watch after contacting Sensei Gilham. Well...this was just it. I didnt expect much upon going to the class? I was excited to go of course, but for whatever reason I went with a lot of trepidation? But for me, I have to tell you...I loved that first class! And I have since totally enjoyed continuing down this journey of Iaido. Because in the short 4 months that I have been there, my own interpretation of the art has changed a ton!

Today, I'm just going to write to you about my first class, the one that I initially just watched. I did this for several reasons. I first wanted to see how the class was instructed by Sensei Gilham but I also wanted to see exactly what I might be getting myself into! How glad I am that I went to that first class.

Sensei Gilham and the rest of the members of the club were more than welcoming. I remember just sitting and watching the class. It was amazing to me. The precise movements of everyone in the class. The 'swoosh' of the sword through the air. The silence in the dojo. It was peaceful to me. I was entranced. And I know it sounds crazy, but I wanted so much to join.

So I was hooked the moment I heard the noise that the Katana made while it sliced through the air. Thats the simple truth. I had a rush of adrenaline pour through me. I do not know why? I have felt it before...I used to be an EMT. So I was well aware of the sensation. I just knew that I needed to explore it more.

Sounds cheesy I know but its what it was for me. As I found out later, making that sound with the sword is oh so much harder than it looks. But that was my hook in the beginning. And I guess thats whats important. What made me want to get up and go to class? It was the sound of the Katana, but it was also the fact that I was holding and learning how to use this insturment of war. The almost 'coolness' of it all. And yet heres the thing. It is something that I didnt pick up on until a few weeks into my training. It wasnt all about the visceral sensations. There was something so much more that I was slowly beginning to see. It is something that became more important than swinging the sword around and learning the amazing Kata that I am a part of now. It was that I was getting more in touch with me, my center, my soul in a way. It is hard to explain...but everytime I leave class I feel rejuvinated and a sense of peace.

Its crazy! Because here I am learning about how to defend myself with an antiquated weapon in this day and age? Yet, I was walking away with a huge sense of well being, peace, calm, and overall happiness. And my journey has only yet begun. I am so grateful for finding this club to be a part of. It has become a major part in my life. I try to practice 2-3 times per week. Believe me, that is difficult enough when raising a family. But the truth is that I wish I could train more. If I miss it, I feel that loss during the week.

If anyone is reading this and thinking of training...I urge you to give it a try. But give it a real go. Really 'see' what it offers. I know that if you take a good hard look, you won't be dissapointed. For my Sensei and club mates I only want to say thank you so much. All of you have made this a wonderful journey for me so far and I am deeply honoured to be training with all of you.

Ill write some more in the future as things come to me.

Anyways, for all of those looking to take this martial art. I wanted to write about my first experience. Thats just it! I keep coming to an amazing club where I am taught about the art of drawing the sword. Its fantastic!