Can You Teach Yourself Karate?

Yes.

Let me try explaining. I think you need a firm structured training base before you can ever teach yourself nearly anything: whether a musical instrument, dancing, a sport such as soccer or a martial art such as Shotokan karate. How long and intense should that time be? I think it's up to the individual. Some learn faster and more intuitively than others, so their time will be shorter. For me, I had two and a half years of formal training, including a few months at the Hatboro YMCA at the end of my formal training time. Others will learn the fundamentals sooner, others longer. The important thing is that they are learnt, and learnt well.

The key word above is fundamentals. They must be learned and ingrained since they are the foundation of what will be later self taught and trained. Also, they must not be neglected in self training. All training circuits need to include them every time at some level. My preference is with a heavy bag: standing or hanging. Working fundamental combinations - in and out of stances at speed is an excellent way of honing those skills. Still, it lacks behind having a knowledgeable training partner, but I can't have everything.

Self training is possible due to the immense amount of resources available: free and for purchase. YouTube alone has been my main source for learning thirteen new kata. Downloading and playing so that the movements can be slowed down, rewound and played in loops all make learning a new kata possible - assuming again that the fundamentals are grounded.

Finally a game plan is needed. What is known mixed with what is being self taught must be trained in a cyclical manner, so that no technique is too long abandoned. The similarities in kata must be recognized and new techniques must be fully understood as they are learned. All should combine over the course of one training session to teach an integrated lesson. Eventually all kata have been once again reviewed and improved: both in technique and more importantly - understanding.

Well, that's all for now.