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Old 01-16-2011, 09:08 AM   #74
Walter Martindale
Location: Edmonton, AB
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 802
Canada
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Re: Is there another solution?

Hi...
Most dojo I've visited have a requirement that - unless you have already met with people in the dojo, or unless you're introduced by a member of the dojo - you watch a session before taking part in one.

I tend to do that anyway - "Hi, I'm new in town and have practiced a little Aikido - I'm looking for a dojo - may I watch a session? Oh, no, sorry, I didn't bring my gi (or some other excuse.) If they don't let me observe a session, I don't bother...

The purpose? To get a sense for how the sessions are run. To see how the sensei/sempai (or equivalent) relate to those with whom they are training.

Perhaps if you had done this you could have decided that you didn't like the way the instruction and individual correction was carried out.

Cheers
Walter

Last edited by Walter Martindale : 01-16-2011 at 09:10 AM.