SunDash

Hi I'm new here and I'm happy to find such a place where everyone here talks about Martial Arts freely! I would someday like to call myself a martial artist but I never went to a martial art school to be taught. I would love to go to a martial school but I never had enough money to join any (at least those I know of). I have been on an off training schedules on my own time because of things like school work and studying in my way.

I try to expand my knowledge of the martial arts whenever I have the chance. I don't only focus on the physical aspect of many different martial arts but I focus on the mental applications as well! This usually calls for me to buy books about martial art philosophy as well along with many technique books as well. Whenever I find someone who has at least had somekind of experience in the arts, I try to get as much information on conditioning, technique, priority and philosophy and I can. (I try my best not to have a ego) For now, I can practice basic techniques of karate/tae-kwon-do with Shuai-Chaio implications (I hope to blend Shuai-Chaio with Chi-na locks soon). Sure trying to blend Shuai-Chaio with a styles like Tae-kwon-do and Karate is difficult (I realize that Kung fu and Karate/Tae-kwon-do are hard to blend due to differences in muscle tension/breathing patterns/ and general fluent movements), but the throws in Shuai Chiao should be able to match those of jujutsu/judo (which I also notice some Karate schools who try to mix in jujutsu/judo techniques). So, I think I have an idea of what kind of fighter I would like to be but would the idea work and is it possible to do so w/o a teacher at the moment?

Can someone who whole-heartedly practices martial art techniques and the philosophy of martial arts without a teacher consider themself a martial artist? Can he/she consider themselves a practictioner? Or is he/she just a brawler?

Your thoughts, opinions, and criticism will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!!!!