Introduction

Home Study Training in Complete Shotokan Karate can and should be a fun and exhilarating journey of self improvement. The super benefit of Home Study is being able to progress at your own speed of learning and time allotment. Not everyone has a Dojo close to them and in fact we successfully Home Study train individuals all over the world with different abilities and life situation needs. Understanding your needs in relation to your abilities and life situation is the first step toward successful Home Study.

Individual Home Study Training

It is a unique feature of Complete Shotokan Karate that one can study this art alone and at any time  in almost any place. It is recommended to start out wearing a light training uniform for your daily practice. An area of about 9 feet by 12 feet is appropriate for training and can be reduced to 9 feet by 6 feet if necessary. Home study is best accomplished by reviewing the techniques, one-steps and kata by video and replicating the moves as closely as possible in training. One should not apply full speed and strength until one has learned the basic structure of the technique, one-step or kata. Generally one should review proper technique through the videos frequently to ensure proper muscle memory is created for each technique, one-step or kata. A training partner is a good thing to have, if you don’t have a training partner don’t fret or stress over it. Almost anyone can assist you with one-steps and self defense. It is great fun and learning for you friends and family. Just remember to go slow and use the one-step protocol given in the White Belt curriculum. Another great training method with one-steps and self defense without a partner is called shadow defense. Where you see the attacker in your mind and demonstrate the defensive moves in the air shadow boxing style. Over the years I have personally used this technique and greatly improved my self defense skills.

Ability and Life Situation

Let us reflect on our abilities and our life situation. For successful Home Study in Complete Shotokan Karate we must know our physical and mental limits. What kind of condition are we in mentally and physically speaking? How much time do we have to train each day, week and or month?  For successful Home Study in Complete Shotokan Karate we should create an outline or routine training schedule for each day, week and month. This is a training regiment that reflects your level of training, abilities and time to master the level you are working in.

Generally a beginning student should have the following workout items included in a workout:

(1) Light Stretching, (2) Physical Conditioning, (3) Technique Practice, (4) Kicking Practice, (5) Special training for the day(Kata, One-Step or Bag Work), (6) Cool Down Stretching.

Each individual should gear their training regiment to their physical abilities and the amount of time they have for training. Students need to consider starting out slowly and not overworking their ability and their body conditioning. A slow steady method is best when training. Complete Shotokan Karate has nine diverse training levels. Each student will need to adjust their training to coordinate with abilities, physical conditional and  curriculum requirements. Be aware that your physical condition and ability will take time and nurturing. As you progress through the levels you will become stronger and your technique will improve.

The Effect of Haste

 Over the years I have trained hundreds of wonderful individuals in martial arts. The expectations from one person to the next varies from on fire to just warm in the intensity and focus of training. I have beginning students ask me the first day of class, will we get our black belt next week or next month. When I tell them it will take three to four years of training you can see the energy drain out of them immediately. You see, we are in an age of getting everything immediately and corporations have dupe most folks into thinking everything you need can be bought and delivered immediately. Well folks, self improvement of mind and body takes time and nurturing by the individual who wants to improve him or herself. In training with Complete Shotokan Karate one should not expect perfect results in a short time. Karate training may extend over an entire lifetime. When studying any subject, little will be gained by haphazard training and one should focus on a steady progression of regimented training. Clearly very little good will be gained from training sporadically, heavy training before the body is in proper condition can produce serious injuries. For these reasons train systematically without becoming impatient or overexerting yourself. Learn to train and develop gradually, advancing steadily one step at a time with increased application of force and number of exercises practiced.

Tiring of Training

Many people tire of training within six months to a year. This state of weariness is common and not just restricted to martial arts. During a state of weariness a student may succeed or fail depending on their attitude during this period. Once you are aware of this state, one must redouble their efforts and pass through this period with inspired spiritual effort. Complete Shotokan Karate is a self improvement of the mind, body and spirit. If one becomes discouraged and quits, the entire effort of all things previously done is lost. Once you have begun Complete Shotokan Karate the benefit you may derive from it, it is my hope that you will continue to train thoroughly until you come to fully understand it. Thus a Black Belt is one who has great focus and intent toward his goal and ever strides to achieve it through MIND, BODY and SPIRIT.

Three Important Points to Remember

Three important points should be kept in mind when  training in Complete Shotokan Karate, (1) light and heavy application of strength, (2) expansion and contraction of the body and, (3) fast and slow movements in techniques. There are many who believe and practice the application of excessive strength, speed and indiscriminate motion thinking that they are using SKILL in their training. Students must learn to apply strength when called for and not otherwise, and then move rapidly when necessary and slow down when appropriate.

Conclusion

The rewards of Home Study of Complete Shotokan Karate are within anyone’s grasp. By training within your ability, around your life situation and with spirit and intent you can become master of life. We encourage you to embark on upon continually improving yourself and become a Black Belt of Complete Shotokan Karate. A Black Belt is someone who does whatever it takes and then applies it to all facets of their life.

-Master Instructor Jon Hodge, 5th Dan