Figuring out how to practice alone in the martial arts is a common problem. But don’t worry—I’ve got an idea for you!
To make the most of your solo Check out the video below or the summary below that.
How to Practice Alone in the Martial Arts
You don’t belong to a martial arts club. You don’t have any friends. You think it’s cool to run around naked in the woods and play ninja by yourself.
Hey man, I don’t judge. Just don’t touch me.
Whatever your situation, I’ve got a quick tip to help you make the most of your solo training.
BUT FIRST…
Let me share a cold, hard fact.
FACT:
You will never be a great martial artist if you only practice alone.
It’s impossible. If you only practice alone, you’ll become the mayor of Fantasyland. There is simply no substitute for a live training partner.
Sorry—your cat doesn’t count.
I always say there are two goals in martial arts training—the first is to control yourself, the second is to control somebody else… specifically a bad guy who is out of control.
If you’re training solo, you can go a long way towards achieving that first goal. You can develop your speed, strength, flexibility, coordination, breathing a million different ways. Calisthenics, plyometrics, isometrics, forms, shadow boxing, visualization, meditation, videos— all good.
But ultimately, my friend, martial arts is about relationships. It’s about relating to another human being, particularly someone who is trying to hurt you. Someone who wants the opposite of what you want and is fighting hard to get it.
Learning to control and manage a person like that is the second goal of martial arts training. And that means you will always need a partner.
Okay. So, that was your fact, Now, back to the question. How can you improve yourself as a martial arts by yourself? Here’s my tip..
Do something with something.
If training alone is one one end of the practice spectrum and training with a person is on the other side, the middle ground is practicing with, and relating to, an object or a thing. What kind of object?
It could be a staff… a tube… a band… a ball.
It could be a weapon… a bag… a stick.
It could be a jump rope… a pair of dumbbells… a stuffed dummy… a chair, whatever!
Hey—here are two more ideas…
How to Build Stronger Punches with a Belt!
The point is you can practice alone with anything. Just remember the big idea…
The big idea is to control something outside of yourself. Even a bag of potatoes is better than nothing.
Find something to push, pull, or carry. Find something to challenge your balance, your strength, your focus, and your coordination.
Can you twirl and spin a staff without linking yourself in the head?
Can you throw a heavy bag around without throwing out your back?
Can you wrestle with an elastic band without tying yourself up?
The list of ideas is endless! But now, it’s up to you to experiment with equipment and exercises that fit your style and meet your training goals.
So, if you’re training alone and want to make the most of your solo practice time, do something with something. Then when you hopefully get the chance to train with another human being, you’ll have some experience managing the resistance and controlling the pressure caused by something outside of yourself.
Practice alone, practice with objects, and practice with people. Do it all. That’s the formula for being the best martial artist you can be.
Thanks for sharing. The emails/video really help to keep me on track with training.
Kathy!
I’m so happy to hear you say that! Thank you! Keep fighting! 🙂
Excelent video. I learned Judo Kodokan for 2 years (intense trainng in France/UK), Karate Inyo Ryu (1 year like the real Karate Kid story, well, not far) and Hosinsul 2 1/2 years in very intense training. Add to that Self defense Worksops 98), lessons in Tae Kwon Do, Yi Ch’uan, Moo Yea Do etc totally 8 years. …Loved it! I do my own expression of Self Defense Awareness called Quantum Sufficit Do which is extremely user friendly for all as it is reachable. The only point I wanted to make is that when I asked my frst Karate teacher, how do you punch well or kick well? His answer, punch a 1000 times, kick 1000 times (underlined done well). So, yes, contact in lessons is cool but training on your own or with something can be powerful too as there are not that many ways to correctly target weak points on a Human body. Also, as one example amongsts a few, when Mas Oyama trained on his own in the mountains, came back and won many fights with different styled Martial Artists who, themselves, trained regularly in classes, it proves that what counts is focused power (not necessarily a brutal one like his, but focused all the same). I have seen brown belts in some Tae Kwon Do lessons I have seen not punching properly sometimes or doing a kata sharply. I have seen a Judo Teacher not controlling well a kids class and with sloppy techniques. ALL is about how well you can apply whaat you know and directly. Contact is OK but if you have understood the mmechanics of the body, you do well on your own also. Your teaching is awesome tough and humility is remarkable. You ARE a true Martial Artist!
Thank you for sharing some of your story, Pascal!
Yes, you can absolutely enhance your skills on your own… any training is better than NO training.
The real trick is to figure out what you need to practice. Finding a partner who can challenge you (and beat you!) is typically the best way to do that.
Happy training to you!