How to Learn a Martial Art at Home

A martial arts student demonstrates a double palm strike.

Martial arts offer many benefits to the practitioner. Fitness, confidence and being able to defend oneself are just a few. If you can't afford to study martial arts at a studio, or can't find a convenient studio to study at, it is possible to learn basic martial arts techniques in your home.

Things You'll Need

• Books
• DVDs
• Computer with Internet
• Loose-fitting clothes
• Some open space

Instructions

1. Choose the martial art you wish to learn. The benefit of learning a martial art at home is that you may dabble in several before choosing the one you like the best. Information and instruction on the various martial arts can be found in a variety of places.

2. Find some books on martial arts. Books are a good place to begin when it comes to self-instruction in martial arts. Find martial arts books at a library or bookstore that contain pictures, diagrams and instructions.

3. Get some DVDs. Instructional martial arts DVDs can be very helpful in learning martial arts techniques. They make it possible to learn the techniques while standing in front of your TV watching the instructor demonstrate the movements and stances on the screen.

4. Use the Internet. The Internet offers many good options for learning martial arts at home. Websites that offer online instruction as well as pictures, diagrams and instructions are not hard to find.

5. Clear some space to work in. Whether it's in your backyard, or in your living room in front of the television, you will need some open space to move around. Martial arts is active and involves kicks and punches. You want to have room to learn to move in without fear of kicking over a lamp and injuring it, or yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Learning a martial art at home offers you the freedom of experimentation. Try some different styles, try some different learning methods. Find the way that feels best for you. But remember, while it is possible to learn some basic techniques on your own, in the long run it's usually best to study at a dojo with a qualified instructor.

• Always limber up before any martial arts-related activity. Practicing martial arts demands great flexibility, and a failure to stretch beforehand may result in injury.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish