Solo Training

[LoneWolf1401]

Hi All,

I trained many years in jujitsu with bokken and katana. I am now looking on solo training, so any hints and tips for some ideas on solo training would be much appreciated.

thanks all.

[bushido_man96]

Welcome to KF, @LoneWolf1401!  Glad to have you here!

Kata practice is always a good start for solo training.  However, I do think there is value in hitting something with the weapon.  For bokken, one might be able to practice cuts against a standing or swinging heavy bag.  The value of buying or building items to practice actual cutting with a live blade can't be overstated, either.

You could probably try to tie or tape a jo or bo to a heavy bag to create an obstacle to work footwork around.  A BOB would be good for working shomen or yokomen strikes to the head.  And you could make him taller or shorter based on what you want to work on.

I hope this helps.  I've only just begun my journey into weapons training, so I don't have much to offer.

[Zaine]

Create a routine of practice. When you're on your own with training, it's easy to put training aside for other things. Going to a dojo is really good motivation for practicing on your own, and when that is removed from the equation, it's easy to let it go to the side. Make solo training a habit. Put it on your calendar. Create alarms around it to remind you. Set a schedule. If you went to the dojo Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (for example), then train for an hour on those days at the time you would usually go.

[sensei8]

Welcome to KF, LoneWolf1401; glad that you're here!!

Are you wanting to ONLY engage in solo training?? Which is fine, however, as, you know, having an instructor to train with is really important on one's MA journey. Running is necessary in one's training, solo or not because one surely doesn't want to run out of gas before one's attacker. Hand strengthening solo training with either by squeezing a resistant ball and/or the various hand grip tools because once you've got your attacker by your hands you surely don't want to let go prematurely. Of course, if you hand handy some Hojo Undo tools that would increase hand strength, to mention just one of Hojo Undo's many benefits.

[bushido_man96]

On 9/27/2024 at 8:05 AM, Zaine said:

Create a routine of practice. When you're on your own with training, it's easy to put training aside for other things. Going to a dojo is really good motivation for practicing on your own, and when that is removed from the equation, it's easy to let it go to the side. Make solo training a habit. Put it on your calendar. Create alarms around it to remind you. Set a schedule. If you went to the dojo Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (for example), then train for an hour on those days at the time you would usually go.

I'll echo these sentiments.  Also helpful is actually changing into your MA gear; do-bok, gi, whatever.  Making the effort to change into the appropriate training attire helps get you into the right training mindset.

[sensei8]

43 minutes ago, bushido_man96 said:

I'll echo these sentiments.  Also helpful is actually changing into your MA gear; do-bok, gi, whatever.  Making the effort to change into the appropriate training attire helps get you into the right training mindset.

Interesting mindset. One I'm not a practitioner of for my own personal reasons, however, I do see how what you're speaking towards, Brian, does have its positive across the board. Whatever it takes to motivate and that slight edge to one's training.

[Zaine]

9 hours ago, bushido_man96 said:

I'll echo these sentiments.  Also helpful is actually changing into your MA gear; do-bok, gi, whatever.  Making the effort to change into the appropriate training attire helps get you into the right training mindset.

This is a good point. Psychologically speaking, this is really sound theory. It's why we suggest that you change out of a work uniform/clothes when you get home if you're having trouble de-stressing at the end of the day after a shift. The act of putting on the gi can help you get into the right mindset for doing martial arts because you associate those clothes with doing martial arts.

[KarateKen]

There are some benefits to solo training as you can go at your own pace and pick how you want to do things.  I like to put on street clothing and try my kicks and blocks and what not, just to see how they would feel in a jacket, or blue jeans, or something that I might be wearing if I were to be attacked.  Unlikely I will be in my Gi if attacked in a parking garage. 

 

 

[bushido_man96]

On 10/3/2024 at 12:50 AM, KarateKen said:

There are some benefits to solo training as you can go at your own pace and pick how you want to do things.  I like to put on street clothing and try my kicks and blocks and what not, just to see how they would feel in a jacket, or blue jeans, or something that I might be wearing if I were to be attacked.  Unlikely I will be in my Gi if attacked in a parking garage. 

 

 

Good point as well.  Kicking with shoes on tends to change up the dynamics a bit, especially if you wear heavier duty shoes or boots for work.  It's good to know how you'll be able to perform when wearing those.

Also, start kicking around without warming up.  Being a bit older, I don't get warmed up very fast, and my resting flexibility for kicking isn't what it was when I was younger.  It's good to know your limitations.

[Nidan Melbourne]

How much experience do you have with Bokken and Katana? 

Typically I recommend when Solo Training, is to be strict on the basics that you already know. 

Also Film your self regularly and compare yourself over a period to see how different you are performing kata and your kihon.