A Kenpoist cross-training in Jujitsu: My first promotion

[Ceicei]

After being a white belt in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu for a year and four months, I finally became a yellow belt. Trying to learn the Japanese terminology wasn't easy, and it was a challenge for my instructor to try to make sure I understood how some of the moves are done, the philosophy, and history of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu.

I'm deaf, and the only adult female in his class. We do have two teenage females and the rest are adult males. My instructor also has a beard and a mustache which makes lipreading hard. In spite of all that, I can see he is a good instructor who is trying really hard to convey the information.

I am probably the only person in his class who remained a white belt the longest. It doesn't matter--I wanted to be sure I knew the stuff before being promoted. Part of the delay is also because I put off taking the test. Even then, I still wasn't entirely sure by the time my instructor thought the delays were going on long enough, he wanted to test me anyway.

I didn't feel confident with Jujitsu. I love Kenpo and I feel so comfortable and at home with Kenpo--there I feel assured and in my element, I feel like I am among "family". I still don't feel comfortable or confident with Jujitsu. I'm never sure with the culture and the procedure, whether I may say or do something to offend. Maybe someday, I will feel as comfortable with Jujitsu as I do with Kenpo. In spite of how I feel there in Jujitsu, I have very good partners, and my instructor is patient.

I also wanted to be sure that just because I study in Kenpo doesn't mean I can move ahead [quickly] in another style. It was a challenge for me mentally since I kept seeing things with a Kenpo view. It was not until recently, I finally was able to view Jujitsu upon its own merits and for what it is, rather than thinking of how I can use it as part of my Kenpo. For now, I am starting to really appreciate Danzan Ryu Jujitsu more. When I become more experienced later on, I will be able to blend them better. For now, I am able to focus more upon Jujitsu and I think my Jujitsu instructor sensed that too.

I brought some flash cards with me that I made recently showing the Japanese terminology used in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. When my instructor saw me reviewing with them before the test, he decided to use these cards as part of the test (since saying them to me would be meaningless as I'm so nervous I probably couldn't even lipread him at all).

The best part, however, was after the test, he took my flash cards and finally wrote down underneath these words the meaning and breakdown of these Japanese words. Now I finally understand what they mean, instead of just trying to memorize the words to represent something without knowing the meaning behind them.

I think that day of the test, we finally understood how to work together and help each other. It wasn't easy--we both are very different (my learning style vs. his teaching style)--we knew we would eventually make our training experience work out somehow.

Things are getting better. I definitely feel like I earned my yellow belt.

- Ceicei

[gakusei]

Omedetou! (Congratulations)

It sounds like you have a good teacher. Training in a Japanese dojo does have a completely different feel. As you are now aware of. I agree on keeping the arts separate for time being.

[flying crane]

wow, that's very impressive. I didn't realize you are deaf. If it was brought up in other threads, I guess I missed it somehow. That's a tough obstacle to overcome, and I am sure many teachers would be intimidated by it, and perhaps reluctant to keep you on as a student. Looks like you and he are committed to working together, and you've shown the patience required to get thru it. Congratulations, both on your training, and in finding a good teacher!

[Rob Broad]

Congratulations.

[Texas Kenpo]

WOW! CONGRATULATIONS!
In these days of instant gratification many people would not have the fortitude to stay with it for 16 months in order to achieve their first promotion in rank. WELL DESERVED!

[NickName99]

Way to go!
Thats really outstanding, keep up the good work and keep us posted!

[John Brewer]

Congratulations! Good job making sure it works!

[ronin6]

Congrats!!!

[Celtic_Crippler]

That's truely awesome, Ceicei and a fine example of an indomitable spirit!
Congratulations and keep up the good work!!

[Sentinel]

Way to be, Ceicei! Congratulations!

[Kempojujutsu]

Congrats. Say with it. Jujutsu will help your Kenpo. Here is a link for Danzan Ryu Ju Jitsu with many of the techniques listed. Hope it helps http://www.danzan.com/HTML/mokuroku.html

[Arizona Angel]

Congrats, CeiCei! That is an accomplishment!

[Ceicei]

Congrats. Say with it. Jujutsu will help your Kenpo. Here is a link for Danzan Ryu Ju Jitsu with many of the techniques listed. Hope it helps http://www.danzan.com/HTML/mokuroku.html

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much for that life-saving link!!!

- Ceicei

[Ceicei]

Thanks to all of you for your congratulations!

- Ceicei

[Kempojujutsu]

Ceicei,

Glad I could help you. Here is another link to Judo Info, which has animations and video's to different throws, chokes and locks. Danzan Ryu is very similar to judo. http://www.judoinfo.com/techjudo.htm

[Ceicei]

Ceicei,

Glad I could help you. Here is another link to Judo Info, which has animations and video's to different throws, chokes and locks. Danzan Ryu is very similar to judo. http://www.judoinfo.com/techjudo.htm

Thank you so much for that link too! I really enjoy the videoclips. They helped me to understand the difference between similar throws and watching the timing of how they are done. These clips will help me understand better when taught in class.

- Ceicei