I wholeheartedly agree that Kendo is an amazing workout/sport, having done it for the past 30+ years. Also, Atarashii Naginatado.
When I started, at the Orange County Buddhist Church in Anaheim, there were full contact takedowns (think Judo - grab that Men and sweep him!). That has all since been outlawed due to legal and liability issues (and, some say, the dumbing down of the sport). I believe that tsuki (a thrust to the throat) is no longer legal, either. At least it was for the lower ranks that last time I checked.
There are very few groups still practicing the old ways, namely the Japanese police.
Still, the main benefit of Kendo is the "interval training". Just as Hock mentioned this past weekend in the seminar at Master Kloss' dojang, it's the "0-60" that gets you...
And for that, Kendo is superb.
Kelly Knight
