I would like to begin Kendo Karate...?

Question

but I probably can't join a dojo for financial reasons. Does anyone have suggestions on any books that I could buy (that are accurate!) or websites to use? I would like to begin training myself, at least until I can join a dojo. Also, is there anything that I should know about Kenpo Karate before I begin training? Any advice would be welcomed.

Answer 1

You could check sites like awma.com or karatedepot.com for Kenpo books or DVDs.

It'd be pretty hard to train yourself correctly...and it's hard to ..."re-learn" techniques, especially if you've been doing them the wrong way.

As others have said about starting martial arts when not being able to afford to, you could offer to do something around the dojo in exchange for lessons.

Oh and if the dojo makes claims such as students being able to get to black-belt in one year or something like that, watch out...it may be one of those "McDojos" . (In that case, you could just order a black belt from a martial arts supply store and have the same amount of skill as a "McDojo" black belt lol)

Answer 2

My advice would be to go to a dojo and inquire about scholarships. Do not purchase books or videos to "self-train". If you ever intend on joining a school, you will only be harming any future training. Books and videos are intended to aid training not replace training (hence why they are called training aides). Doing so will teach you incorrect movements, not to mention the fact that the school you end up at may doin an entirely different set of techniques, or teach them in a set order.

What you should know before starting any martial art is just walk in the door. Don't expect to be a "Black belt" the first day. Don't expect to be a "Black Belt" in the first year. In fact, never expect to be a "Black Belt" and eventually you'll surprise yourself when you are promoted.

Good Luck

Answer 3

I don't think a kendo dojo would be that expensive. It's not as if people are trying to make a living teaching kendo.

Answer 4

Kendo is a sport of fighting with shinai = bamboo swords. Karate is hand-to-hand fighting without weapons and using striking techniques. I studied Shorinji Kempo. It is Japanese Shao Lin. I had studied Karate, and the instructors told me often, "That is the way to do it in Karate, but this is the way we do it in Shorinji Kempo."