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Old 12-19-2008, 04:48 PM   #1
Karen Wolek
Dojo: Kingston Aikido
Location: New York
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Shodan

Tomorrow I will be taking my shodan test at the NYA Cmas seminar. Any good thoughts sent my way will be MUCH appreciated!!! I'm excited and nervous and antsy!!!

Karen
"Try not. Do...or do not. There is no try." - Master Yoda
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Old 12-19-2008, 05:19 PM   #2
JRY
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Re: Shodan

all the best!!
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Old 12-19-2008, 06:49 PM   #3
Voitokas
 
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Re: Shodan

Have fun! Smile a little! Show what you think is the core of the techniques. Even when there's just one uke, show that you're aware of everything around you. Think of throwing uke around as making friends (it'll give you something to smile about). Someone already thinks you're ready for the test - you're just there to show them what you know. I'm sure you'll be great!

I am not an expert
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Old 12-19-2008, 08:41 PM   #4
Aiki Teacher
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Re: Shodan

Relax, Breathe, Breathe, Breathe, Breathe!

Don't let the Uke control your actions, you control the pace and the Uke. Most test committees would rather see control than raw speed.

Lastly, Have Fun!!! you will never take this test again!
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Old 12-19-2008, 09:07 PM   #5
B.J.M.
Dojo: Aikido of Center City, Philadelphia, PA.
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Re: Shodan

Good luck!!!

I'm a deshi under Waite sensei and was supposed to attend the seminar but flew home early for the holidays because of a family situation, (I'm from California).

Stay relaxed is the best reply. Seems cliche but it is very true. Don't forget to breathe. Realize the moment; you are finally taking the "big test", have fun....

Own the mat. Show them what you got!

All the best.
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Old 12-19-2008, 10:16 PM   #6
eyrie
 
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Re: Shodan

Karen,

You're either ready for it or not, so just treat it like another training session... and have fun.

Ignatius
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Old 12-19-2008, 10:54 PM   #7
akiy
 
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Re: Shodan

Hi Karen,

I hope that your test goes well and that you come out of it with wonderful memories! I hope you'll share your experiences with us afterwards.

Best,

-- Jun

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Old 12-20-2008, 01:00 AM   #8
ChrisHein
 
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Re: Shodan

Good luck to you!

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Old 12-20-2008, 05:29 AM   #9
grondahl
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Re: Shodan

Good Luck!
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Old 12-20-2008, 08:30 AM   #10
C. David Henderson
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Re: Shodan

Karen,

If you're taking your test as I write this, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. Best of luck.

DH
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Old 12-20-2008, 10:57 PM   #11
Karen Wolek
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Re: Shodan

Thanks, everyone! I passed my test!

Karen
"Try not. Do...or do not. There is no try." - Master Yoda
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Old 12-21-2008, 01:27 AM   #12
Shany
 
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Re: Shodan

cooool! congratulations!!!

A good stance and posture reflects a proper state of mind
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Old 12-21-2008, 03:05 AM   #13
B.J.M.
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Re: Shodan

Sweeeeeet! Good for you.

Hopefully I'll run into you on a Sunday or Monday when Waite sensei teaches at the NYA and you can show off your new hakama!

Happy holidays.
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Old 12-21-2008, 05:37 AM   #14
Voitokas
 
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Re: Shodan

Congratulations!

I am not an expert
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Old 12-21-2008, 06:38 PM   #15
Karen Wolek
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Re: Shodan

Thanks for the congrats!

Karen
"Try not. Do...or do not. There is no try." - Master Yoda
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Old 12-22-2008, 11:04 AM   #16
C. David Henderson
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Re: Shodan

Karen,

GREAT.

DH
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Old 12-22-2008, 12:09 PM   #17
Ron Tisdale
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Re: Shodan

Congrats!
Best,
Ron

Ron Tisdale
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"The higher a monkey climbs, the more you see of his behind."
St. Bonaventure (ca. 1221-1274)
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Old 12-22-2008, 02:36 PM   #18
Randy Sexton
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Re: Shodan

Karen, congratulations!!
I always love your comments on the web and have not seen many lately. I'm very thrilled for you!!
I am looking forward to the day I take my Black Belt test. Thank God I still have plenty of time to get ready.
I'll bet your family is very proud of you.
Give us some details of the experience.

Doc

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will"
Gandhi
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Old 12-23-2008, 08:57 PM   #19
Karen Wolek
Dojo: Kingston Aikido
Location: New York
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Re: Shodan

Thanks for the congrats. Here's a little summary from my blog on Sunday:

Yep, I tested and I passed. And I am really happy with my test. I don't
remember much of it, but I got to watch it on a video camera screen last
night on the train. Once the test started, it was just me and my (awesome)
uke and I wasn't aware of the hundreds of people watching. I was in some
sort of zone I hadn't been in before, LOL!

After the test, I realized that I had no idea who my ukes were for randori!
After I watched the video, I said, "Oh man, I forgot to look to see who my
ukes were!" Ha!

The waiting was the hardest part, Tom Petty was right about that, LOL. We
got down to the dojo neighborhood around 11:30, got a bite to eat at a cafe
across the steeet, then went up to NYA. The next two hours were dan only
classes, and shodan candidates weren't allowed on the mat due to the crowd.
So we just had to sit around for hours waiting to even train! Once I got on
the mat, I calmed down a lot. LOL, I was training with a sandan friend from
WS and I said that I was really calm. He said, "THIS is calm????" I said,
"Hey, it's calm for me, dude." And he said, "OK, you said 'dude' so you
must be calm." <grin>

I took Sugano Sensei's class (but got off toward the end to eat a bagel a
friend graciously brought for me, I was starving since I hadn't eaten much),
and I took Harvey's class. They were both fun, but honestly I don't
remember very much.

Then we had a break before tests. My sensei came over, reassured me, told
me to breathe, etc... I was pretty nervous now, but really, not too bad. I
was in a group of three when I tested. Right next to me was my dojomate, but I didn't even realize it. LOL! I was in the front by the kamiza
and the testing panel, which consisted of Sugano Sensei and Yamada Sensei.

After that, it's all kind of a blur, but slowly coming back to me. Or maybe
it's just because I watched the video! <grin>

After the tests were over (there were 43 tests), we went out to dinner at a
yummy Thai place. Then we went back to the dojo to the party for a little
while. I got a lot of congrats and hugs and a lot of people said I had an
excellent test. Oh, after the tests, Yamada Sensei said he was especially
impressed by the ladies' tests. Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess I will actually receive my black belt tomorrow at my dojo (I did). And get
to wear my fancy pants.

I really feel good about my test. I was ready.

Back to training tomorrow night! (Had two nights of classes so far this week)

Karen
"Try not. Do...or do not. There is no try." - Master Yoda
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Old 12-24-2008, 10:43 AM   #20
Mary Eastland
 
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Re: Shodan

Good for you, Karen. You rock!!!!
Mary
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Old 12-24-2008, 04:38 PM   #21
Cynrod
Location: Las Vegas
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Re: Shodan

Congratulation Karen .

"For The Secret That The Warrior Seeks: You Must Know That The Basic Principles Lie In The Study Of The Spirit." - Morihei Ueshiba
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Old 12-25-2008, 09:08 PM   #22
Karen Wolek
Dojo: Kingston Aikido
Location: New York
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Re: Shodan

Thank you!

Karen
"Try not. Do...or do not. There is no try." - Master Yoda
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Old 12-29-2008, 10:21 AM   #23
Neal Earhart
 
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Re: Shodan

Congratulations !!
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Old 12-29-2008, 10:37 AM   #24
Karen Wolek
Dojo: Kingston Aikido
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Re: Shodan

Thank you, Neal! Were you there for the tests?

Karen
"Try not. Do...or do not. There is no try." - Master Yoda
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Old 12-29-2008, 11:58 AM   #25
Demetrio Cereijo
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Re: Shodan

Congrats Karen.

BTW, here are a lot of clips of the tests at NYA. Maybe you are in one of these.
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