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Is it possible to start training at a high level alone, from home?

The answer is not easy, because the real problem is another and the perspective is completely wrong (read also Online learning and martial arts: is it possible?).

Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

The point is that every aspect of martial preparation is fundamental (perfection is made by the cure of all the details, read Introduction to the idea of Precision Control) but if the question is “what is the most important? The one that makes the difference between failure and success?”, we must say that:

It is not the place where we train (a gym, a garage, etc.)
It is not the quality of our training tools (DIY, professional, etc.)
Beyond a certain level (and someone will think this is blasphemy), it is not even the preparation of our instructor
…

Let’s be clear, we are not saying that all of this is useless but that the winning keyword is another, dedication.

Dedication transforms success into a matter of time:

If we have the open-mindedness to ask the right questions
If we have the patience to study in depth, to go beyond the surface
If we have the intelligence to verify the quality of everything we do
If we have the humility to admit our errors
If we have the courage to suffer, to fail (again and again)
…

The initial question: are there MMA Pro fighters who have studied alone?

Yes, some at the beginning, some totally, some in part and they are the best ones:

Jon Jones
Rich Franklin
Evan Tanner
Mirko Filipović
Roy Nelson
Dave Herman
Uriah Hall
Bas Rutten
James Thompson
Jim Miller
Dan Miller
Matthew Riddle
Anderson Silva
Ben Askren
Jon Fitch
Pat Miletich
Forrest Griffin
Gegard Mousasi (boxing)
…

These people are not necessarily special talents (read Natural talent and martial arts), the only winning characteristics they have (built) in common is: self-discipline (read Motivation: from passion to self-discipline, Having discipline: do not contradict ourselves and Discipline is the key to freedom).

A note by Master Kongling – In addition to what we said, another crucial reason that made most of these martial artists so strong is the fact that they have not been uniformed by a standardized knowledge (or better, not before having the occasion to express their personal peculiarities). What we are trying to say is that no one can become the best by repeating what others already do or know, it is a contradiction, and it is precisely on this principle that the 6 Dragons Kung Fu method is based (read 6 Dragons Kung Fu: the difference with other martial arts).

Is it possible to proficiently study martial arts alone, from home?

We have to leave those mainstream thoughts, too many times sent forward by instructors who are simply afraid of losing students (read Recognize a good / bad master: 5 characteristics).

If we do not skip the fundamentals of realistic combat training (an expert guide, sparring, group training, daily practice, etc., read 5 effective ways to find a training partner), it works, it simply works: how could it be otherwise (read Learn Kung Fu online: why it is better and when)?

It doesn’t matter if:

We live in the North or South Pole
Our instructor is from Australia, China or Bangladesh
We learn from a videotape
We cannot afford private lessons with a Grandmaster
…

If we have:

A reliable source of knowledge
Someone expert to check our progress
Someone to seriously spar with
Time, space and will to train
…

What could stop us (read How to start practicing from scratch)?

Final notes

A few conclusive thoughts:

The truth is that anyone who thinks they can’t do a serious workout from home simply couldn’t do it even at the gym
The real discriminating factor for success (in reality in any field) is the dedication we are willing to put in (everything else is just excuses)
Having a basic personal experience of oneself (free of the grossest errors and external influences) is the best thing one can imagine, a treasure which after is almost impossible to access
All this without taking into account that it is very rare to find a high-level instructor right away and starting without terms of comparison with someone that could be totally wrong can seriously affect our martial development (read Is your instructor harming your martial growth?)
…

In the next articles of this series, we will continue with the topic of home-study martial preparation and then we will deepen some of the stories of the mentioned fighters.

In-depth video courses

Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu Exercises – The correct exercises to build a combat-oriented martial body
Basic free hand fighting techniques – All the most important combat techniques of 6 Dragons Kung Fu

In-depth articles

MMA vs Tai Chi 10 seconds knock out: an explanation – The difference between sparring and no sparring
Hand to hand combat: elite soldiers in MMA / UFC? – Why if elite soldiers are so good, they do not compete in UFC?

Questions

Reply in the comments and share your experience:

Who told you that it is impossible to learn martial arts from your home?

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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