Martial arts training at home is a valuable consideration for beginning and advanced students. To get your body structure correct, a new student should plan to do solo practice several times per week in the beginning of your martial arts training. Sessions do not have to be one hour or longer. Twenty to thirty minutes should suffice. Mastering the angles of your body in doing the techniques of your martial arts discipline contribute to the sturdiness of your structure and so it is very important to get those angles correct.

Obtaining a large, tall mirror to use in your practice could be a big plus. Do not stop at just two or three stores in searching for a mirror. Check also construction companies and check out surplus merchandise centers which specialize in demolishing old commercial buildings. You might find a bargain in a large mirror! Auctions are another possible source.

A student must build up the body strength and condition as well. The basic stance may feel uncomfortable at first until a habit forms to practice regularly. Start at 50 punches per day. Do them slowly at first to get the trajectory correct. Build up to 200-300 punches at your home sessions.

The good news is that consistent practice speeds up the process. You get depth and intensity in attending your school’s classes but martial arts training at home can make the different both short term and long term in making your school’s highest skill levels. Repetition is the key to becoming fluent in any discipline so design a program of your style’s basic movements and repeat them at home. Happy training.

-Sifu Keith Sonnenberg