I just finished reading all of the chapters of your uchideshi experience.  I thought I was only going to read maybe a chapter or two and come back to it later, but I ended up reading them all in one sitting.

I really enjoyed your thoughts on training and chapter 8, “Sport and the Religious Experience of The UFC” was excellent.  I immediately attempted to get my roommate to read it, even for someone who is not a martial artist I think it is a very valuable piece; she declined.

You’re discussion around “traditional” training were something dear to my heart, as while I have not been training that long, I’ve moved, I feel pretty quickly from “traditional” to “modern” martial arts.  I orginally started with traditional jujitsu.  I had some problems with it initially but felt these problems could be solved with simply putting more time in on the mat.  And I did.  And I loved it.  I was also that kid who stayed after class to practice my ukemi, and showed up to every class sensei scheduled.  I was obsessed and couldn’t get enough training.  I searched for uchideshi programs that I could be a part of as soon as I made shodan.  I talked about going to Japan with my sensei after reading “Angry White Pajamas.”

I had serious problems with the training however, as principles were inconsistent and I worried about my own ability to catch a punch in mid air, but I did love the crispness of the techniques and as you stated, even playing around with aiki and aikido is still really fun from time to time.  But I also wanted some effectiveness and I didn’t feel my sensei’s increasing statement’s of “trust me” were enough.

So I moved onto arts with resistent partner’s and loved it.  I really enjoyed your disection of classical arts.  I think I’ve done pretty well in the new areas I’ve explored but it is because of my background in classical arts that I’ve done so.

I guess this long diatribe is to express how much I enjoyed reading your articles and apreciated the sentiments expressed within, as I was able to relate to them and it was wonderful to hear these thoughts expressedly so eloquently.  I was wondering if you have any plans to start up an uchideshi program?