5 Easy Steps How to Learn Karate by Yourself at Home

Historically one had to undergo YEARS of training in a classical dojo with a reputable teacher to drill techniques before being taught the next one to practice. Now, with information digitally and instantly at our moments whim, we can research and access Karate resources from teachers all over the world.

With addition of uploaded training videos and video conferencing live via mobile phone, tablet, and web cameras you can practice anywhere at anytime.

Why Learn Karate?

Karate is an Asian martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Its principle is more grounded on the development of both defense and counterattack movements and is great for developing body and mind balance. Karate came from a combination of two words, kara meaning empty and te which means hands, empty hands which reflects its main essence which is an ultimate way of life that goes well beyond the self-defense applications.

Whether it’s for self-defense or physical wellness, learning karate at home is doable. There are many karate online lessons that you can find and some of them are paid online karate lessons while others are free. But before you get into learning karate, you must first identify the best martial arts or niche for you.

Just like how music has its different genres, the same goes with martial arts. You cannot just sing a rock song if you’re into a ballad and expect to give the proper justification to the song. In karate, there is also countless variation and each one of them have their own distinctions. While it is safe to assume that they all have their similarities, each one of them has its own principles from which they adhere. Understanding these principles could be the primary determiner in succeeding with your endeavor.

For beginners, having to choose from the different types of Karate could be baffling. Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Uechi-ryu, Shitoryu and the list goes on.

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Choosing the right niche for you could be as hard as looking for a needle within the crowd. (Trust me, it’s hard!)

We’ve simplified your martial arts journey by giving you 5 important and easy steps to learn karate at home by yourself. If you’re a struggler, then these tips are for you.

How to Learn Karate at Home

Due to the many resources that can be gathered on the internet, learning Chinese martial arts or Japanese martial arts by yourself could be undemanding. But of course, just like any others, there will be few but easy challenges.

These 5 steps will firmly help you with learning karate.

1. Identify Your Niche

Most advice that you’ll get from the internet would be to get a space where you can practice or to clear your mind from thoughts but essentially, before actually going there, shouldn’t you first identify which niche you are more leaning to? Yes, this could get complicated but finding out which type of karate you are more passionate about will help you transition more smoothly when starting your online karate lessons. This can help you save time and resources. To identify your niche, you can start by reading through different types of karate. Usually, reading or watching through different types of karate can help you get an idea of which fighting styles will be easier for you if in case you try them.

2. Gather Resources

And by gathering resources, we mean, searching for online karate lessons or sessions. You can decide if you’ll be having paid training or free ones.  It’s best to look for lessons that teach you the fundamentals of martial arts or karate. There are plenty of online lessons or materials that you can use, so finding one will be easy. Although you have to accept the reality that you cannot make use of EVERYTHING that you’ll find online.  There are aspects that you’ll only be able to learn from a true master. These are things you need to consider if you really want to pursue karate at home.

3. Fundamentals are Everything

Learning Karate at home is more on familiarizing the basics. In everything that we do, it is easier if we face the fundamentals first before actually going to the more complicated ones. A good foundation in karate ensures more effective learning. This is really true. There’s no shortcut to learning and if you really want to succeed, learn the basics. This is something that you cannot disregard. 

Let’s say you’ve finally found your niche and you have all the resources you need to get you started, the next thing you will do is apply the basics. Meditation, warming up, stretching, etc. These are all essential in building a strong foundation in martial arts or karate. Without these, it’s like going into battle without proper training. You’re sure to fail, or you’ll easily fail.

4. Follow Your Karate Lessons

Although there are a lot of lessons about martial arts online, there are only a few which could actually teach you karate. Nevertheless, it is guaranteed that following these sessions can help you pick up a few things or more.

Learning karate is one thing but being effective at it is another. Although there are many circumstances why you chose to learn karate at home, what you’ll learn from these online lessons could be limited or slightly different from what you’ll get from actual dojos or classes.

As much as you can, try to follow and internalize the lessons in karate videos or tutorials. Although self-taught karate is somehow bounded, you can still use them as self-defense and if religiously practiced, can improve throughout time.

5. Practice all the Kata Again and Again

Practice makes perfect and although nobody’s perfect, it’s still helpful to practice those katas you’ve learned over and over again. So many times that you’ll even practice them in your dreams.

It isn’t just enough that you know all the katas. You also have to learn them by heart. You are not just learning them to be called someone who knows karate but you are also applying them to your life. The principles of karate, the effects of it on your physical and mental composition. All of these things. Learn them by heart and you’ll master them soulfully.

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Karate Learning History

Karate has been practiced by masters all throughout the years. Even until now, the philosophy of karate is still being perfected. Learning them at home is doable but it doesn’t stop there. As I’ve mentioned earlier, there are aspects of martial arts or karate that you can never learn at home. You can only acquire them from someone who already knows karate or a master. Although you can learn karate at home, you should never limit yourself from just self-learning. There is so much more room for growth if you associate yourself with positive people who see karate as not just a fighting tool, but as a philosophy that can be applied in life.

Learning from masters will help you understand more the state which you decided on following. If you really wish to pursue karate at home, you can seek counsel from experts through online means. Keep on kicking!

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If you're looking to learn Karate online consider checking out our free or paid programs! We also have Kobudo, or Okinawan weapons.