We have all watched our favourite actors show off their martial arts skills on screen. Watching legends like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan demonstrate their moves might have instigated a desire for you to be able to do the same.
If you are wondering whether you can teach yourself Karate at home without going through the hassle of paying for an actual course, then the short answer is yes. Karate is relatively simple as compared to other martial arts, and you can learn the strikes, poses, stances, and Kata techniques by watching tutorials at home.
If you want to level up a belt, you don’t need to get proper training from an instructor, but you will still have to pass the tests for each level. Even though, Karate can be self-taught, having an instructor to guide you through the process will definitely give you more of an edge and will keep you motivated.
Keep reading ahead to learn more about how feasible learning Karate at home is and how you can potentially do it.
Is Karate Hard To Learn?
Karate focuses primarily on self-defence techniques and is not as complicated and comprehensive as other martial art techniques such as Jiu-Jutsu or Kung-fu. This is a form of martial art that can be learned by people of all ages. It teaches balance, harmony, and inner peace and does not require using complicated weapons.
Some degree of memory work and consistent practice is still necessary. Kata is one aspect of Karate that requires a lot of memory work because you need to get the techniques and positions right and learn most of it by heart.
What Are The Key Forms Of Karate That You Have To Learn?
There are over 75 styles of Karate, but the four most prominent are Shotokan, Shito-Ryu, Wado-Ryu, and Goju-Ryu. Of these, the first three styles originated in Okinawa’s Shuri region, while Goju-Ryu stems from the Naya province.
All these forms have their own style and technique and require different training, but specific base segments are a part of them.
Getting a grip over those segments makes learning most of these Karate forms easier. The first segment is Kata which has over twenty variations and mostly focuses on various striking and blocking techniques. Hare, memory plays an important role.
The two other segments are Kihon and Kumite. Kihon focuses on teaching you various stances, arms, footwork, legwork, takedowns, blocks, etc. This is combined with Kata to perform in an orderly manner.
Which Segment Of Karate Is Hardest To Learn?
While it is true that Karate can be self-taught using tutorials and videos, some segments require a guide or at least a partner. Kihon and Kata focus primarily on memory and practice, but Kumite involves dualling with another person. For this, having someone to train with is vital, and it is the hardest of the three to learn as it involves the practical application of Karate skills.
How Much Time Would It Take To Learn Karate At Home?
This depends on how consistent, regular, and motivated the student is. But it typically takes three-five months to master the basics if you train for roughly two hours twice a week. At this pace, after having mastered the basics, you can move from one belt to another within a couple of months.
But be mindful that Karate needs to be practised regularly. Some people train their entire lives because there are always more skills to acquire, so there is never an end to the learning process.
This video will help you understand the basics
Why Should You Learn Karate?
Even though it is not as challenging to learn, learning Karate still requires time, effort, and practice. But learning Karate can also be advantageous for people of all ages. The first reason is that it improves a person’s overall health.
This happens at a physical and psychological level. Since Karate focuses on teaching inner peace and harmony, a person’s mental health will improve, and it would help release anxiety and relieve stress.
Since it is a physical activity, it also keeps a person healthy and fit by constantly engaging their muscles and improving cardiovascular activity. The martial art can also equip you with vital skills such as patience, balance, situational awareness, and improved overall focus.
What Karate Exercises Should You Do By Yourself When Learning?
To master the art of any skill, certain practices need to become part of your daily activities. The same is true for karate.
Keep Practicing Your Balance
Leg stretches, stands, jumps, and other techniques to help build balance are important to master if you want to master Karate. Try switching from one stance to another and ensure you can keep your balance.
This will make it easier for you to adopt Karate techniques and improve your overall balance, mobility, and flexibility.
Meditation Is Key
Take some time every single day to sit down and practice some breathwork. This is crucial because breathwork forms an integral part of Karate. Karate aims to develop inner harmony, and meditation helps with that. It also gives you the patience to be able to learn this skill.
Build Stamina And Agility
Doing bodyweight exercises such as pushups and sit-ups or even going for a run can help with this. Karate requires consistent work, which is only possible if you have the discipline and stamina to exert yourself physically daily. Stamina and agility form the crux of this.
Mirror Exercises Help
If youtube videos and tutorials are not enough, you can use a self-help book to teach you certain tricks and practice regularly in the mirror. Practising in the mirror can help you see where you’re going wrong and improve upon your mistakes.
The Conclusion
Karate is just like any other skill; most skills can be self-taught. Obviously, having someone guide you through the process is always more convenient, but it is also costlier. You can always rely on self-help books and tutorials to learn by yourself, but consistency is key, and you would still need to dedicate time and effort.
