subject: Martial Arts Training - Things To Consider Before You Jump On The Path Of Self Training! [print this page] Every day, I have people telling me that they are "self-taught" in their martial arts training. And, the truth is that, very few people can claim to be "self-taught" in anything - let alone the martial arts.
Here's an example of being self-taught.
Find a place where you'll probably end up being attacked or involved in a fight pretty easily.
As soon as you're ready to "teach yourself" something, go up to someone who looks like they're having a bad day, or that they hate the world. Engage this person in conversation that makes them "want" to beat, break, or kill you.
Now, do everything you think you should, would, or could to protect yourself and control the attacker.
Finally, check yourself out of the hospital and repeat these steps until this one is no longer necessary!
That's "self-taught!"
Well, almost. I'm sure your opponents will have something to do with the lessons you'll be learning!
In addition to the misunderstood concept where solo-training, or training on your own is seen as being "self-taught" - rather than being more like a "distance training student" who's teacher or teachers are not in the same town...
The following is a short list of just some of those things that can be a pitfall or trap for the unprepared student training on his or her own without the ongoing guidance of a teacher:
a. You can only see what you know
This is true about all students. That's why we seek out a teacher. However, if we lack the experience of actually having "been there" inside real attacks, or we do not understand the science, strategical thinking, or technology that lies at the foundation of the techniques we're reading about or seeing in videos...
...it's highly unlikely that we'll be able to train correctly until you do.
b. No one to point out your mistakes
No matter how hard you try, you can only see any technique from the perspective with which you're looking at it. Even my own students who are right there in class with me, miss the fact that I'm moving my legs a certain way to deliver a strike, or the alignment of my torso to the long staff as it turns.
While this is related to #1 above, the fact is that to be able to engage in solo training - you need more than some picture or video demonstrating the technique. You need the eyes of someone who knows what the technique "should be doing to the opponent" - or whether you're leaving yourself open to a counter attack - to know whether it's correct or not.
c. The way you do anything is a good sign about the way you do everything
If you're house is a mess. If you barely put enough effort into work to not lose your job. If you can't do any one thing for more than a few seconds without getting bored and quitting. And...
...if you can't get away from your email, IM, and video games long enough to practice...
You're certainly not going to have the commitment, self-control, discipline, and attention to detail required of someone training on his or her own and seeking mastery!
d. No one understands you
You're also going to have to have a pretty high level of self-confidence and self-esteem to do solo training. or, you're going to have to train in a cave. Because, without the support of other like-minded students working on the same things that you are - as-well-as working "through" the same challenges of balancing work, life, family, and the opinions of others...
...so training can get pretty rough for the weak of heart. I should know. This was my primary path to learning throughout my early years as a student, when my teacher was at least a 9 hour drive away in a different State!
These points are not meant to turn you away from solo training. On the contrary. The true warrior is prepared for the worst, and accepts the ups and downs equally.
To only focus on what you'll get out of solo training is also to be unprepared for the obstacles, roadblocks, and dangers that can prevent you from reaching mastery at all!
