Feel forced to train solo

[jruner]

Hi am 32 and have osteo arthritis, as well as a birth defect (three fingers on right hand and can't turn right hand palm up and right knee locks up, off and on.). Due to problems with heavy lifting and my osteoporosis I like martial arts that let me use my enemie's strength. I used to study Jukido Jujitsu got to orange belt and work ended that through relocation. I also studied eclectic style "combo" (aikido, tang soo do, shaolin kungfu) but sifu shut down) so only got to yellow belt. I learned basic Tai chi (chen) from a co-worker a long time ago.

Now I live in Elko, Nevada and have only Kyokushin Karate available(hard style) I tried it but it and my disabilities didn't mix. There is Shotakan here but he only teaches children. I want to get back to training more but can't find a local soft style and due to being on disability can afford to travel. Any advice?

Thank you!

John Runer

[jruner]

Sorry not shure how to remove extra post.

John Runer

[Mandeigh Wells]

training alone can be quite hard going especially mentally, when you could really use a bit of a motivational boost from your peers...but, if that is the only current avenue open to you, you need to try and make it work in your favour. My teacher is about 500 miles away so I can only get direct acess a few times a year. It means I do very intensive training and then I have to work with the information when I get home.

Have you thought about putting out an advert at all.....some very good martial artists don't teach classes but may be tempted into one on one sessions......would the Shotokan teacher take a private student perhaps?

Mandeigh

[riku]

As Mandeigh said, motivation - getting tired psychologically and morally - can be problem while solo training; it takes certain type of personality.. Other thing is same than with all learning alone: if you make wrong turn on your path, no-one will be there to tell what went wrong.. so you should know previously at least something about thing you are studying.. false routines are hard to correct afterwards: use mirrors to see what you are doing (or even better, make video)..

With respect,
Riku Ylönen

[SteyrAUG]

Here is a suggestion.

Since you are probably more interested in physical development than pursuit of rank,why don't you teach a close freind or two all that you know.

It will be far more beneficial to practice a limited amount of knowledge that is useful to you than to try and pursue training that you can't really use anyway.

I often found myself in situations similar to yours at times. When I moved to attend school out of state there were no teachers for systems such as Praying Mantis (Seven Star) Chinese Boxing in those areas so I could hardly continue to study. Rather than just settle for the Tae Kown Do in the area I networked with some interested parties and taught them the basics of what I knew. By doing this I was able to maintain the fundamentals and keep in practice. They also appreciated basic instruction in a style they would not otherwise have been able to study.