Style change "growing pains"

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[falconflyer34]

As promised in my intro, here's my situation. I've recently moved to Corpus Christi where there is no USAF dojo. There is a Shudokan dojo however. I've been practicing for 3 years. This is a shot in the dark, but does anyone know of any USAF practitioners here in Corpus Christi? I'm certainly grateful I found any Aikido in this medium sized city, but I sure miss the USAF style I'd just started to get somewhat good at. Also, any advice regarding shifting styles about half way to Shodan? This is likely what I'll have to do.
One more tidbit of info. I'll be leaving Corpus in 3 years, and moving to Arizona where there is a USAF dojo that I've practiced at frequently during my visits there. I would likely shift back to USAF when I mover there because I really like the dojo there. Should I just shift to Shudokan while here in Corpus, and try to attain Shodan under the Shudokan style while here for next 3 years, and then back to USAF when I move to Az? Would my Shodan be recognized by USAF? I didn't realize things were so complex before leaving Florida.
Thanks,
Bill

[Janet Rosen]

I'd say, see if the local dojo is compatable at all with who you are, and just enjoy the training and not worry about the rank.

[lifeafter2am]

I agree with Janet. Who cares about the affiliation, if you learn something from that dojo, then that is great in itself. Rank is not necessarily a determinant of skill. I have trained in a few different styles, they all taught me something.

[falconflyer34]

It's the only dojo in town, so I really have no options as far as compatibility. I either practice, or I don't, and of course not practicing is not an option. I agree there's something to be said about practicing without regard to rank, and I know many people who are content with that. But I believe having a desire to move up the ranks is an equally valid attitude. Like with anything else, people are wired differently and achieve satisfaction through different goals. Like they say, whatever floats your boat. Thanks for the discussion.
Bill

[Fred Little]

It's the only dojo in town, so I really have no options as far as compatibility. I either practice, or I don't, and of course not practicing is not an option. I agree there's something to be said about practicing without regard to rank, and I know many people who are content with that. But I believe having a desire to move up the ranks is an equally valid attitude. Like with anything else, people are wired differently and achieve satisfaction through different goals. Like they say, whatever floats your boat. Thanks for the discussion.
Bill

Bill:

My advice? Train with the best teacher you can find in your area, without regard to organization or art.

Your mileage may vary.

Best,

FL

[Peter Goldsbury]

Description:
Aikido Dojo in Corpus Christi, Texas affiliated with Shihan Hiroshi Kato. The Dojo instructor is Sensei Joel Molina. This dojo is a member of the Shudokan Aikido Association.

Hello,

I found the above from doing a check on the Internet.

Hiroshi Kato is a long-time student of the Founder and his organization is affiliated to the Aikikai. If you take your shodan there you will receive an Aikikai membership card and a blue yudansha booklet. Your dan should be valid in any Aikikai dojo (including USAF and ASU dojos).

Best wishes,

[falconflyer34]

Great advice from everyone. Thank you. Peter, that's actually the dojo I'm training with. Sensei Molina is great. Thank you for answering my other question too.
Bill

[Nick P.]

Bill,

With all due respect, what happens after you leave Arizona? What if you can only find, say, an Aiki-budo dojo? My point is that if you are a student of the arts, and there is nothing else to study where you end up, as you pointed out not training is not an option...well, I guess you answered your own question.

[jennifer paige smith]

I believe Lan Powers, an aikiweb member, trains at that dojo. If you see him, tell him Jen said 'Hi'.

[Janet Rosen]

I've taken a few seminars in SF with Kato Sensei over the yrs and have always learned a ton and come away remarkably impressed with the man.

[gdandscompserv]

Bill:

My advice? Train with the best teacher you can find in your area, without regard to organization or art.
What he said.

[jennifer paige smith]

I've taken a few seminars in SF with Kato Sensei over the yrs and have always learned a ton and come away remarkably impressed with the man.

I've also trained quite a bit with Kato Sensei. Our dojo hosted him for almost a full month in 1992/3? when he first came to America. Even as a blue belt at the time he gravitated toward me during that month and went out of his way to throw me during almost every class. I was impressed not only by the obvious power and precision of his technique( and his scary look) but by the uncommon respect with which he treated me, a young woman with little experience but deep ernestness.
After a month of taking Ukemi from him, he was teaching at the Skid Row Dojo , Jim Friedman's previous dojo, and he called me over for a kokyu nage throw. The first throw was' typical' Kato Sensei power and then the next one was a moment wrapped in 'phenomena'. I felt a touch so light as to hardly be described as any touch at all, and then I found myself 8-10' away bouncing(softly) off of a brick wall. I felt I had been caught by a harpoon in the shoulder of my Gi.I heard the words 'one tiny step from O'Sensei' wander through my mind and then I felt my 'breath' wrap around me. I was amazed an exilirated. But mostly it was distinctly the most natural thing I had ever felt. I was prepared to continue training through anything to learn the porthole into this dimension.

I knew to the depth of my soul that I had been taught by a master, one step from O'Sensei, and that that power was embedded in my training so strongly. People would exclaim, often folks much senior to me at the time who had trained with Kato Sensei, "God, where did you learn that?" " I learned it here."I'd say pointing to the mat." It's still here to be learned."

Not to get too personal, I get the feeling here online that folks can think I'm just spouting some spiritual thing I've heard somewhere, I can tell you the truth is that I was a tough kid from a tough life with a serious chip on my shoulder and an extreme skill in fighting. My world was pretty concrete but I have been opened from training so frequently that my world has transformed.I'm still a toughy and I'm working on that. But after walking in this world with Kato Sensei, Anno Sensei, and many others, I have found a voice that has come from this art itself. I learned it through them.

Kato Sensei is worthy of your training. I'd follow this opportunity in your training as long as he is involved.

Best,
Jen