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In universities, YMCAs, sports clubs and private dojos across the US, the sport of Kendo is becoming more popular. “Kendo” Japanese for the “Way of The Sword”, is a modern martial art of sword fighting based on the ancient and traditional Japanese “kenjutsu”. Practioners soon learn that Kendo is physically and mentally challenging. It is a hobby that combines martial arts values and strategy with sport-like physical elements.

People that practice Kendo are called kendōka, meaning “someone who practices kendo”. After study, sparing and much practice, there is a ranking system similar to the traditional karate white to black belt. The beginning grades are called “kyu” and there are six of them. You progress to more advanced stages based on tests from your teacher. After the 6th kyu there is the “dan” level. To be a 1st level dan you must be at least 13 years old. Dan levels generally go up to the 8th level where you must be at least 46 years old and have practiced Kendo swordplay for 10 years after receiving the 7th grade dan.

To find a local Kendo “dojo” (school) you can check sites like the All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF), where you can find news and background information on US Kendo classes, professional tournaments and championships.

Practice sessions for kendōka include warming up, cardio and strength building exercises. Techniques with samurai swords are practiced over and over so proper form and aim becomes perfect. A person must have patience and determination to practice strikes over and over until perfected. Exercises for kendōka help practioners to have explosive strength and launch themselves forward to attack, as well as back up quickly in defense. Kendōka must be in top shape to wield the Japanese swords they carry with precision and dexterity.

A good deck design can add life to your condominium in variety of ways. It is a way you can enhance your experience in outdoor living. Within the confines of your condominium a deck can offer you a feeling of openness, fresh air and a place to relax. However, all the feeling of goodness can only be achieved if the deck design is appropriate. On the other hand if the design turns out to be bad then the whole charm of the condominium will be destroyed. Therefore in order to get the deck design right for your situation you need to consider a few things when you are deciding to design your deck.

Expanding The Deck

When you are adding a deck to your condo you need to take some social factors into consideration. First of all you have to familiarize yourself with the rules of your condo association, whether you are allowed to create a deck or not and if so, what are the specifications that you have to adhere to regarding the use of decking material etc. You also have to ensure that you are following all building codes of your area. And the most important factor is that your neighbors are not going to lodge any complain against your deck.

After you have confirmed that your neighbors have no objection and you deck meets all other norms, then you can take the next step and start the process of deck design.

Privacy

When you are relaxing on your deck, you would not like to be disturbed by prying eyes because most of the times decks generally are an open affair. More often than not decks are located quite close to each other which give the opportunity to peeping toms to get their fill. Therefore it becomes necessary that you have some kind of covering to insulate your deck from prying eyes.

There are some materials that you can use to achieve the purpose.

• Bamboo – bamboo plants can be used creatively to create a natural barrier that will keep you screened from your neighbors. You can install long boxes all along the edge of your deck and plant bamboo in a creative way. The best thing about bamboo is that the plant grows fast and is bushy and you get your privacy without much delay.
• Hanging plants – you can place hanging plants high up with trailing that will create the privacy in a beautiful way. You can try non-aggressive ivy and fuchsias for your deck design.
• Trellis – incorporate trellis in your deck design which will create a shady effect to the deck without blocking it fully. You can even add climbing vines like passion fruit to get good coverage. You can either opt for perennial plants or change them according to the changing seasons.
• Curtains – there are lots of colorful fabrics that you can choose for curtaining your deck. You can choose the fabric according to the décor of your deck.

Decoration

Deck decoration can be given some personality instead of making it drab and boring. You can use colorful pots for your plants to match your deck design. You can also use Christmas lightings like string lighting around posts and rails to light up the evenings. You can also add some comfortable sitting arrangement to relax like chairs, loveseat and a coffee table.

Deck design can be what you want it to be, it is fun and you can use your creativity to get the best results.

Tags: bamboo plants, deck design, open affair