Learning martial arts by yourself

[jubaji]

How is that an insult? Allow me to elaborate. Generally speaking when you tell somebody that by x point they should be able to do y it has a negative connotation and makes them feel lacking.

Haven't you admitted several times that you are lacking in this area? Are you insulting yourself?

[jubaji]

When it is then augmented by a rhetorical question asking them if they disagree it forms an insult. Yes we cant always be concerned about hurting people feelings but the rhetorical question following that comments demonstrates that it was a well thought out insult.

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....................................
It does?

[jubaji]

No, when you tell somebody else this and then augment it with a rhetorical question it forms and insult.

Now you are using your own arguments to prove your own arguments? Can't go wrong there, I guess..............

[jubaji]

Anyways are you a hs wrestling coach jub?

Not currently.

[IPON]

Okay let's break down the above comment. By age 16 i should know how to spell and don’t i agree with you? When you say that by age 16 i should know how to spell, you are calling me stupid. That's the insult, and i returned the favor.

H2H I would have to agree with Jubaji on this one you are reading too much into his post. What he wote did not imply you are lacking in ability, intellegence or aptitude. He was saying "you write terrible and by 16 you should know how to write so stop being lazy or stop playing around becuase it is becomming irritating not funny". You assumed stupid.

Now let's end this before it turns into the H2H "fun with phonics show"


PS H2H don't make excuses by saying "i'm only 16". it will not set a good theme for your life.

[Naif]

I'm in a very similar situation to you. Although I live near two dojo's, I'm on a financial constraint so taking up martial arts under the eye of an instructor is not an option for me at the moment. I wanted to teach myself however much I could, but I realized that ultimately I was just messing myself up. So I just basically practice stretching and body conditioning through some light weight training and basic excercises such as push ups, sit-ups, and running. This I can only assume will make learning martial arts slightly easier because as of now, I'm a lot more in shape (no more being short of breath, greater flexibility and agility, more strength and speed). I also gained a lot from this, mentally as much as physically. I realized that learning how to do martial arts isn't just for the sake of being able to fight, it can also be to prevent fighting through a higher level of confidence in one's actions. Basically what I'm trying to say is that, I highly doubt you'll be able to learn everything fully with a high calibur of quality without a professor, but certain things can be learned by training yourself. I don't know if this helped any, but I figured that seeing how someone else has dealt with a similar situation may be of some assistance. Good luck.

[old skool dude]

...is it possible to attain at least a decent level of fighting proficiency only by watching training videos? What videos do you recommend, and what else can I do in addition to watching videos? I'm a pretty athletic guy and I learn fast. Also, I don't care about the "sports" kinds of martial arts, I want to learn something that will actually work on the street.[/QUOTE]...

I echo what has already been presented here about conditioning. I did that before going to and established school and was able to hold my own a lot easier. While it's true that you do need a partner to train with, and an instructor to correct bad habits, I do feel theres an aspect of escrima that you might be able to pick up from video called "sinawali"

SInawai exercises are designed to help students in FMA develope timing fluid continuous movement and flow. They can be done with a partner or solo and they are (if learned progressively, fun and easy to learn.

(for further explaination see link: http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives.../sinawali.html

Before I went to an established FMA school I learned a basic "figure eight " pattern that I practiced for months, and was able to come up with a few variations on my own. When I officially went to a FMA class I showed the instructor my "discoveries" only to find out, to my delight that they were already existing patterns. While he did have to make some adjustments in my form, they were minor ones.

[old skool dude]

Learning martial arts by yourself

is it possible to attain at least a decent level of fighting proficiency only by watching training videos? What videos do you recommend, and what else can I do in addition to watching videos? I'm a pretty athletic guy and I learn fast. Also, I don't care about the "sports" kinds of martial arts, I want to learn something that will actually work on the street.[/QUOTE]

I think it is a worthy goal for you to try to learn martial arts by yourself, and personally feel that it is an attainable goal.
The so called "street fighter" is an "opponent " that most of us train to one day face, and isnt it curious that he (the street fighter) is one who often has little or no formal training, but nevertheless is considered formidable.

find yourself a tree and practice front kicking in. Use your heel, your toe, and the ball of your foot. Strive to kick with controlled power and fluidity. Practice at least 100 kicks a day. This is a very basic kick, and one that will serve you well in self defense encounters. It can be thrown from a fighting stance, or neutral position, it can even become the extension of a natural walking step. Be concious of your form, (try not to expose your groin when kicking, dont lean back excessively or forward excessively) The correct "body feel" is something you can learn with time and practice. Practice doing the kick from the back leg and the off the front leg. Practice it whilewalking, (doing small kicks to the knee and shin area) or while sitting. Pretty soon, you'll have a functional tool that you can use.
Dont let anything stop you from training. You are the master over your own body.
I am a firm believer, that when you are ready the master will appear to help you. I know this sounds "corny" but I personally have found this to be true.
Have faith.
Train hard.