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For one reason or another, he decided that he would focus all his energy to "physical" practice.
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Weapons training can be very physical. In defending against ken or jo, nage must cover a greater distance to execute waza.
Using the running example, it would be like training regularly at 20k for a 10k race. In other words, after weapons training, which often also heightens the danger level and awareness, unarmed combat is easier.
Nevertheless, the association I am in, traditionally does not begin to teach weapons until shodan. But, I teach at a college, and the students take many breaks throughout the year (winter break, spring break, mid-term study break, holidays, etc.) We also only practice twice a week when school is in session. Plus, their grip strength seems to be unusually low.
So, during our brief summer training session, we learned basic sword cuts and a simple 21-count sword kata.
All the students were at least 5 kyu (they had taken at least one aikido test.)
The students were very enthusiastic about learning ken. I didn't have to pressure or cajole them. I kept ken training sessions short -- no more than 30 minutes. This was for reasons of attention span and because I wanted their muscles to stay relaxed.
I think the overall benefit was very positive. Grip-strength increased, and now the students have something to practice during their free time or when school is not in session.
We call the bokken our "personal trainer."
I think students who do not eventually acquire at least a minumum level of weapons skills at their dojo are being short-changed. It's an integral part of aikido training.