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[Kareyn]

I'm a class only person. If I don't have to meet in the Dojo at a specified time on a certain day, I won't train. There is only one class offered to me a week. When I'm in it for one short hour, in my gi, facing my sensei, I am working hard and experience ki (sp?).

Do others train on their own time? Solo? If I don't enjoy training on my own time, by myself, am I lacking in some way in spirit? Why do I need outside motivation?

Thanks!

[kyokushin4life]

Osu. If you think you need trainings more than once a week. You should find someone to train with. You can always learn from each other, and hitting bags/pads helps. eg) Shadown boxing against mirror etc.

[ANTSAN]

I always train outside of class, Kata, Kihon, stretching etc... infact sometimes I can even be seen at work doing a few shuto mawashi uke's in kokutsu dachi as my imagination gets the better of me

[seienchin]

Kareyn, I find it difficult to imagine how it would be possible to progress in karate with only one class a week and no homework!

consider this: If you were having piano lessons, would you expect to practise scales, arpeggios and fingering? How much do you think you would progress if you didn't touch a piano except during your weekly lesson?

I think the motivation to practise alone will come when you get hungry for results. Until then, it is just another fitness activity. to each their own, but I think you are robbing yourself if you don't practise out of class, especially during the first year when you are acquiring new motor skills.

[Nix]

I was the same as you, once, and could not motivate myself properly without someone else there. This works fine untill you reach a certain level, after which you will be lagging behind. My solution was to find people I could practice with, hitting the bag, jogging, sparring etc. See if you can con any of your mates into something.

On the other hand, I would like to disagree with seienchin's example. It is in fact possible to get far with little practice, but only a very few people are able to do this. I was somewhat a musical talent when I was a kid, without practicing more than twice a week. I do realize I would probably not become a pro without practicing more, of course. I cannot play a single note today... I also know karateka who don't practice very often, but still excel at it. Again, they possess rare natural talent, but that talent will only get them this far.

I hope some of that made any sense....

[StarKodama]

On days when I don't go to class, I work out 30-40 mins on my Wii Fit. I LOVE that thing! It keeps me motivated and it's a great workout too. Plus you can do the pushups on your knuckles to strengthen your punches.

[Dent]

Osu!

No one can force you to do anything other than at gun point, and last I checked, that was even less often used in the Dojo than the Shinai.

What I can say is that the more training you do out of the Dojo, the better your time will be spent in the Dojo. Instead of trying to catch up, or remember which hand/ foot goes where, and thereby repeat your last lesson again and again, you'll be ready to learn your new material.

FMP, it is also a good idea to get into the habit of training by yourself. It's a good thing you're doing for you.

Osu!

[kakatootoshi]

Originally Posted by Kareyn

I'm a class only person. If I don't have to meet in the Dojo at a specified time on a certain day, I won't train. There is only one class offered to me a week. When I'm in it for one short hour, in my gi, facing my sensei, I am working hard and experience ki (sp?).

Do others train on their own time? Solo? If I don't enjoy training on my own time, by myself, am I lacking in some way in spirit? Why do I need outside motivation?

Thanks!

Dear Kareyn,
No worries. Do not take Kyokushin as a burden or a duty. Do not train just because you "think" or someone says you are lacking spirit. If you think like that you will never train happily and fruitfully. You tell yourself why you want to train. And as a beginner, if you can stay focused and absorb the good forms of your Sensei during your lessons, that is already very good. If you train alone without supervision, make sure you are repeating good forms, not bad forms. Otherwise, more training will mean less improvement.

OSU!

[smoothsake]

Originally Posted by StarKodama

On days when I don't go to class, I work out 30-40 mins on my Wii Fit. I LOVE that thing! It keeps me motivated and it's a great workout too. Plus you can do the pushups on your knuckles to strengthen your punches.

You must start a separate thread about this... I'm very interested to know how the Fit is helping out with your karate. Hilarious!

[MilkManX]

You get out of it what you put into it.

When I first started I only trained at the dojo.

About a month after that something in me clicked. I became obsessed.

Now I train 6 days a week. Find what works for you and what level you want to be.

The one thing I noticed is that my Karate has improved tenfold over some of the other whitebelts that started when I did or even some that came before me.

[supergroup7]

Training at home by myself is a chance to work on those things that I need specific attention to improve. During class, we all have to keep up with what is happening, but at home, I can slow down something, and repeat it. I can look at working on a concept that I'm having some difficulty with over and over. It allows me to give individual focused attention on my form, balance, and technique.

[ANTSAN]

You'll also find training at home will help ALOT prior to a grading

[blackdog]

No-one cal tell you what is right for you, it's your journey, no0one elses.

Having said that i agree with pretty much said above. Training once a week with no homework would probably make your growth very limited, not just slow.

Your fitness, reflexes, muscle memory would all struggle to keep up I would imagine, almost to the point that each week would be like starting anew.

In the end though - "If it's to be, it's up to me"

So only you can tell what is enough or not enough.

Personally if i am not training 4-6 times a week i am lost

[mcuz]

1 hour a week in ANY style is simply not enough if you seriously want to be able to defend yourself

You have to train outside of class.

If you want to become an excellent martial artist then that requires more time, more practice

[tmd]

The journey is an individual one for you to take or not - it is not limited but the more often a week you can find time to train the quicker you will see tangible results, this is not even accounting for the stuff you may forget form week to week.

I don't do a lot of Kihon or Kata outside the dojo except for the month before a grading or to work on a specific problem area, I do however work 6 days a week on improving my abilities as a karateka (details withheld as the competition may be watching ).