Is it possible to teach youself a certaint fighting style?

Answer 1

You would need actual people to practice with but yes that is how martial arts got started in the first place. Some genius survives a lot of battles or duels and records his fighting style "Why I'm So Bad-*ss" in a book, scroll, or student because everybody else wants to learn how to attain such a high level of Bad-*ss

Answer 2

YOU DO NOT NEED A PERSON TO PRACTICE WITH TO PRACTICE MARTIAL ARTS.

Some Chinese and Japanese martial arts were developed after the founder experienced long periods of solitude. Certian styles of Kung fu were developed soley upon imitating the actions of animals, and Kyoshinkai Karate was developed after it's founder returned from a prolongued period of practice in solitude.

Note that these men are FOUNDERS of a NEW martial art, and NOT learning an existing art on they're own.

Since traditional arts most likely have a certain set way of teaching and learning, it is imperative to have a certified instructor in order to be profficient in that particular style.

Answer 3

No, not really. If you want to make up your own techniques you'll have to master a style and add your own juijitsu, blocking techniques etc. It's hard work but if you're dedicated enough - why not. Personally, I think you should stick to a well-known fighting style. My style called Kushin-Ryu, it's awesome! Originally from Japan, and it really works.

Answer 4

That answer about tradition/non-traditional arts was pretty accurate (Most of the other answers were ok as well).

You can teach yourself a fighting art. The thing is: It is a valuable tool that with whatever technique you use is dervied from that you fight against a moving/resisting opponent (Depending on what you are doing: Whether it's a side kick or a armbar). That element doesn't always have to be there, but it can definitely help. It takes a natural (And/or really dedicated person) to teach themselves. Think about it this way:

Good technique and skill in itself are some of the greatest tools that can be used in Martial Arts.
When you add things such as strength, speed, balance, stamina, et cetera (Basically better response to the seven elements of fitness): Those attributes are likely to add to your fighting ability.

Without at least somewhat decent technique (Just little things like footwork, and how you move your body with your strike for example): One's fighting ability may suffer.

Not having a resisting/moving opponent would be the same, in this case, as not having the ability to apply technique/skill (Just an analogy: Don't think about them as being similar).

Most fighting styles can be taught by yourself, but when you are training yourself, you're mostly working on technique, skill, and in some cases speed, power, et cetera. Those are great things, but to do martial arts is to learn how to apply those techniques. If you have no one around to practice an armbar on: You can practice the motion, but you would only be visualizing yourself doing the technique rather than actually performing it on someone. That means you wouldn't be able to figure out if the person that you may have to do an armbar on has a longer arm, stronger arm, a skinny wrist, knows how to counter you if you don't do it in xyz seconds, whatever.

It's important that with whatever fighting style you decide to teach yourself, or learn, that there's a sparring element of some sort, or at least that what you do is done on more than just a punching bag (Good training element, yes, but even better with sparring included), et cetera...

Jeet Kune Do is somewhat based around what you are saying. The philosophy is based around a mixture of techinques that come from many places, and most "Schools" will teach you techniques from a wide variety of martial arts. You don't have to take a bunch of arts (Cross-training of some sort is advised though), but mixing around what you know is one of the more simple ways of finding out what is practical for YOU and no one else. Not Martial arts necessarily, but more along the lines of techniques: If you like roundhouse kicks, you can develop them, and you won't have to waste YOUR time learning the other kicks (That may not work you, but may work for others [Which then, you don't have to learn the other kicks, but it's a good idea to go over them with someone, so you learn how to counter/dodge/block those kicks for example]).

My advice to you (If you decide to teach yourself):
-Read various books on the martial art of your choosing (traditional or not). Many martial arts have instructional books of some sort. Search amazon.com: If the fighting style you choose is common, you are likely to see many reviews on the books written about your arts. Don't rely on the views, but use them to guide you. Hell: Come back to ask a question about the book of your choosing. :P

-Read the Tao of Jeet Kune Do or something similar (Just to give you an idea on that concept [It would really teach you how to be fluid in what you know if you decide to cross elements]).

-Get the equipment needed to give good technique and/or good strength/speed/stamina/whatever element of fitness you think will help you (And whatever piece of equipment you want to use: Whether it's a makiwara board, or a heavy bag).

-Finally (Probably the most important): Find some way of applying those techniques you learn. If you have some friends: Have them practice fighting with you. You can also call local martial arts schools about information as well: Though some are very "Traditional," and they won't let outsiders join in, others will have either an open door policy, or will allow you a few times to spar with the class. That is the experience that will show you how to apply what you've learned, and who knows: Maybe you'll spar with people from a school of the martial art you decide to teach yourself. You might get lucky, and win some free classes, or maybe the teacher will help with the "Trial and Error" of your techniques if they know them better than you may know them.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Yes, It`s Called DISCIPLINE!

Answer 6

you need someone to practice with otherwise you wont get much benifit

Answer 7

Not if you don't have anyone to fight with.