When it comes to training in martial arts like karate, live instruction from an expert teacher is essential. However, not everybody has the time, money or schedule flexibility to attend a dojo. If you're in such a circumstance, you can get started by using free online resources along with personal dedication. You won't become a black belt overnight this way, but you can gain some basic skills to use for self-defense and personal improvement.
Step 1
Choose what style of karate you want to learn. Dozens of schools of karate exist, each with its own individual -- and sometimes conflicting -- technical details. Some popular examples include shotokan, gojo-ryu, shudokan, kyokushin and wado-ryu.
Step 2
Use online video sharing sites to find videos of people performing white belt katas and basic techniques. Search strings should include "white belt" and the name of the style you have chosen.
Step 3
Find the home pages for schools that teach the karate style you've chosen. Many of these sites include a tips or video section that can give you valuable insight.
Step 4
Choose one technique or kata at a time to focus on. Watch a video -- or better yet, two videos by different instructors -- about that technique. Take notes in your journal.
Step 5
Practice your chosen technique for 10 to 20 minutes, three times per week. Refer to your video often for review. Continue practicing until you feel you can perform the technique correctly without consulting the video.
Step 6
Open an account on a martial arts Internet forum. When you feel ready, take video of yourself performing the technique and post it for feedback. This method is the closest you'll get to live instruction online for free.
Step 7
Continue to the next technique once you've become proficient with the first. Eventually, you will work your way up to yellow, orange, green, blue and brown belt techniques.
Tips and Warnings
- Throughout your free online training, keep looking for opportunities to train with a live person, perhaps an informal backyard session with a friend or an intro course at your local karate school. Also consider attending seminars that come through your local area.
Things You'll Need
- Training space
- Journal
- Digital video camera (optional)
References
- Dave Coffman; martial arts Instructor; Hillsboro, Oregon
- "The Tao of Jeet Kun Do"; Bruce Lee; 1975
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