ExpositionFairy wrote:

Today, I hold the rank of sandan (third-degree black belt) in Aikido

*PWNED*

I'm 8th kyu (Yoshokai style), but then, I've only been studying since last September.  My university offers classes, but I might have to join a different dojo next year because I may not be able to fit the class into my schedule.  I like aikido because no one's kicking the crap out of each other... they're just throwing each other across the room. 

Jesus christ you guys.

Shodan in Aikido (This board has a weird pattern) and I studied Capoeira for three years but our school didn't have any official rope rankings so I don't know what I'd hold. I'd love to get back into it but there aren't any schools around here these days and I've been in too much pain. I've also been a pretty avid archer since I was 11 and my bicycle is my main mode of transportation.

That's, uh, it. I used to play scrum half in rugby in highschool but I cared so little about that that I forgot the name of my position and spent the last fifteen minutes looking it up.

Please also a kendo thread for those of us who seriously want to take it.

Your wish is my command!  Are there specific kinds of things you'd like to know about?  I'll try and come up with a good general outline, and also post some links to resources, like how to find local dojos and where to buy equipment (online is your best and sometimes only bet, and I know of at least two really good online stores.) 

For now I'm a competitive sit-on-my-asser.  But I get to blame it on medical problems.

Boy do I hear you there.  I was a lump for a rather large chunk of 2005 after my always unstable health took a hard dive.  Made me nuts (well, more so than I already am), because I really can't stand not being able to do some kind of regular physical activity, and getting back into shape this year was murder.    I also missed my nidan exams in Iaido, and you only get to test up once a year.  But hopefully I'll make it this February!

and I studied Capoeira for three years but our school didn't have any official rope rankings so I don't know what I'd hold.

Ooh!  Capoeira!  I love watching it.  Do you know how the ranking systems actually work?  I've always been curious.

I know Karate and several other Japanese words

But seriously, I have tried my hand at a number of sports over the years including fencing, kendo, wrestling, squash, field hockey and even fulsal but because of situations like cost, gender bias, moving house or in the case of fencing, not been able to see the foil at all, when I put the mask on, I havent been able to stay in any one sport for too long

Tamago wrote:

I know Karate and several other Japanese words

But karate isn't a Japanese word, is it?

Um, I took karate at a local dojo for five years (and I made my black belt, woo hoo!), I've done a lot of swimming, softball, and I'm looking to take ballet really soon. (Not pointe though. That is really hard and would be bad for me all over the place.) I'm excited about it.

But for now...I am also a professional couch potato; I blame it on illness as well. I've been ill sense November. -_-

Um...I took ballet for quite awhile...then I quit because I fell once and it hurt...then I played soccer...but I quit because I didn't like the new coach...for awhile I took Tai Kwon Do...but then some student teachers entered the picture and they were intimidating so I quit...I played basketball some but never seriously...I took fencing last summer but I was afraid of the teacher so I stopped and also I'm not very good at it...um...some informal yoga classes...got bored...uh...

I'm not a very physical person.


I really wish I'd been a cheerleader, though.

Yeah baby! I have muscles! Er... I'm a weightlifter. Or rather, I was one. Right now I'm also a sit-on-my-asser. But I still have muscles. I can move.

ExplosionFairy, you'd kick my ass about 50 thousand times from now 'til Tuesday, but I am a black-belt. I took Zen-Do Kai karate for five years - which is, admittedly, one of those more Americanized mish-mash styles, but it was pretty damn rigorous. It's actually mostly Shotokan, with other styles thrown in where deemed appropriate. I took my test right before college. I won't continue with that particular style, but it's one of the best things I've ever done.

Because I'm into academics hardcore now, I haven't really had the time to pursue martial arts, or any other sport... I really, really, really want to get back into it, though, and I do definitely keep in shape as much as I can by going to the gym. I've got decent muscles and stamina for someone who goes maybe 3-4 times a week. Next semester will be less hectic, so I am hoping to pursue another style, or fencing.

I love being an active person, having a strong body full of energy. I love bicycling in particular - I live in a city, and it's the most awesome form of urban exploration it is. I also try to move constantly - walking everywhere, going up the stairs, etc. I'm restless in general, and I find being in shape does help my concentration and my overall outlook towards life. Exercise is boring beyond belief sometimes, but I find it's totally worth it.

Its damn scary to think that there are so many martial artists in this forum while the only impressive things I can do physically is give a Chinese Burn bad enough to cause a braclet-like bruise around someones wrist and I can headbutt like no-ones business.

I could use help with the whole balance thing. I fell down stairs and sprained both my ankles. I don't get to blame Kozue. (I laughed, it was really embarrassing. Actually I would have broken my head had the guy I was walking with not caught me. Don't even remember his name now, woo I'm heartless.)

We need to have a martial arts forum meet where I watch everyone kick each others ass in various martial arts uniforms.

Remind me to never, ever poke your tummy.