Training in public parks?

[u/WatashiwaNobodyDesu]

I don’t have the space to practice properly at home, and I spend a lot of time in public parks. I like to work on my flexibility, so a lot of kibadachi, leg stretches etc. Lately I’ve been trying to improve my kicks (they’re pathetic…).

The thing is I’m a little uncomfortable practicing martial arts in public. I’m not shy, I don’t really care in that respect, but there’s something at the back of my mind that tells me I shouldn’t practice my fighting skills in public. I don’t know.

Do you practice in public spaces like that? what do you think?

[u/plcanonica]

I'm always wary of people who might decide to pick a fight of you look like that's what you're practising. I have trained in public places like beaches and parks but always just doing kata. People have no problem with practising tai chi in public and kata will remind them of that.

[u/99thLuftballon → u/plcanonica]

Yeah, I think that's the danger. It's not so much embarrassment as the danger of some daytime-drinker coming over and starting "You think you can fight, eh? I'll show you some fighting!"

[u/BigBlackBigBlock → u/99thLuftballon]

That would be a good opportunity to you learn the valuable art of conflict resolution. Probably the most important thing I learned in karate was situational awareness and how to avoid conflicts.

[u/cmn_YOW → u/BigBlackBigBlock]

^This!

That kind of approach is only dangerous if you feel compelled to confront it because of your insecurity. If you're confident in your ability to win, you should have nothing to prove, and just take the challenge, and inevitable follow-on insults in stride (even outwardly agreeing with them). If you're not confident in your ability to win (or, hell, even if you are!), just tell the meathead that you're a low-level student trying to get better, and getting shit beat in a park isn't really in your training plan.

Highly recommend the book Verbal Judo for most adults - and especially those of us who prepare for physical violence. It offers a very practical framework to defuse verbal altercations, and avoid contributing to the cause of physical ones!

[u/GKRKarate99 → u/99thLuftballon]

I remember I was gonna get an uber home from class a few months ago (but stop by the cornershop first) so I didn’t bother changing out of my gi that time and my Sensei was highly recommending for me to at least put a jacket on and take off my belt so people on the street don’t try and start anything with me, I’m really grateful that she cared so much and even made me put my jacket on in front of her for her own peace of mind

[u/Dtitan]

Early morning crack of dawn. No one out but you and some joggers. Only place I can do full katas outside the dojo.

[u/Neither_Computer5331 → u/Dtitan]

Best advice I can think of.

Just don’t practice at 23:30 on a Friday or Saturday night!

[u/KARAT0]

I like to train in parks. I don’t often as I have plenty of space at home but it’s nice to practice outdoors as well. I’ve never been challenged by a passerby or even had any comments. I usually find a spot away from paths so no one is too close anyway.

[u/I-Love-Yu-All]

"A true martial artist can train effectively in a compact space measuring just one ken (6×6 feet), according to Okinawan karate master Choki Motobu." Source: https://www.karatebyjesse.com/7-points-of-karatejutsu-by-motobu-choki/

[u/WatashiwaNobodyDesu → u/I-Love-Yu-All]

“ It is an unforgivable  attitude for the student to complain about the smallness or conditions of the training hall.”

Ouch… that’s me told.

[u/toragirl]

My personal self defense for training in public ... wear street clothes, and if asked, say you are a beginner. If someone asks to spar, lean on dojo rules, amd give them an ego boost "oh I don't want to get in trouble with my instructor, I'm sure you're you're a great fighter"

[u/OyataTe]

Nobody cares. If they think it is weird they will walk on by. If it peaks their interest, they may stop and have a conversation. Maybe they even make a life long friendship.

[u/jamesmatthews6]

I've done plenty of training in parks, both kata and sparring. Had a few positive encounters with people and generally the main annoyance is out of control dogs bothering you.

[u/Budokan_B]

Depends on the neighbourhood. If there aren't many idiots looking for a fight in the streets, you won't find them in the park.
Plenty of joggers and people who do yoga in my park, figure you can do karate too. I have from time to time.

[u/jackspinnaker]

gather up some fellow practitioners; we train in the park some time and if there is a group of you far less chance anyone would be so bold. Plus plenty of chances to work on other partnered drills!

[u/furyo_usagi]

I teach at a local college. There's been many a summer where the facilities were unavailable for our club to reserve over the break due to the floors getting refinished, etc. So I run workouts at a local park, with 10-12 students on average. We've never had anyone approach us other than to ask where our dojo is, or to respectfully watch the training.

[u/Tigereyesxx]

Avoid…your back yard is better and private…or any room with a bit of space, you do not need much..

[u/WatashiwaNobodyDesu]

Oh look at that- I’m in the park. Again. I’d better stretch at least.

[u/InnerCosmos54]

On the plus side, parks are a great place to train calisthenics 🏃🏻🤸🏻‍♀️

[u/Asoladoreichon]

I think that it seems less weird if you train with someone else

[u/Legitimate_Length689]

See if there is an enclosed area. I once stumbled across 4 guys practicing weapons in the middle of Prospect Park in NYC. They were in a clear area mostly surrounded by tree and bush cover.

[u/Better-Pitch-2236]

Not a problem. Do your own thing. Frankly, nobody cares.

[u/Volume_Revolutionary]

M37 here. Unless you live in a freaking hood, nobody will care if you practice in a park. I have been practicing with my mates and sometimes with my wife only at a park and nobody bats an eye. Maybe a few questions as to what we are practicing and if they can join. I train with kids. So sometimes I would get looks from teens like "he's too old to be doing this." Normally I give them the resistance band and they see how "old" I actually am. 😂

[u/Eegore1]

Depends on where I am. If i am in a city it's not worth it. If I am in a small town chances of anyone coming by is small.

[u/powder_bluebell]

i think it's fine. I personally like to train in more secluded outdoor spaces. if there are quieter areas in the parks you frequent, that should be a great place to practice kicks.

[u/foxydevil14]

I’ve trained a lot in public places and I always try to stay as low key as possible. If you start working out in a high visibility area, you’re kind of inviting a variety of encounters.

Staying out of the public eye as best you can is the way. If people get curious, do something boring that looks non-martial.

[u/Blndby90]

I’ve done it for years. Just don’t get too close to playgrounds and you’ll be ok. Bonus points if you look like you’re there to work out, like if you have a gym bag etc.

[u/BogatyrOfMurom]

I did trained in public parks and I go at times (early morning) where the park isn't busy where there are joggers etc. I don't do it often. Whenever I go abroad I did it many times and never got bothered by anyone. What's important is to avoid certain times of the day.

[u/goldenglory86]

Tbh, I'd rather train in private places. Away from the sight of people.

[u/LivingInTheWired]

I practice kenjutsu in a custom mask I made and film it for social media in a park where bicyclists, soccer players, dog walkers frequent. I’m polite to any who walk by, despite how weird they likely believe me to be. It’s okay though. I know some kid one day will think it’s so cool seeing a ninja at the park. And I finally pushed past any cringe or feelings of doubt doing so. I belong in that park, doing whatever it is I enjoy so long as it’s not hurting anyone. I just had to decide my enjoyment is no longer secondary to others casual comfort.

I can think of nothing better to do at a park than to practice one’s art, or to rest to better help one’s art.

[u/karainflex]

Yes, in public spaces people will always watch. You could (e.g. very early on Sundays when people sleep) but I suggest you don't. Because you have to ensure it doesn't look aggressive / crazy, think about people walking with their dogs (those little shitters even get aggressive when I ride past them with my bike), you may need to take breaks as people pass you. You need to greet everyone. Depending on your park there might be... medical waste on the ground. Or bottle caps. Or just bees checking clover blossoms. And of course the ground is uneven, wet, stony, etc.

You can train everything in 1-2 cubic meters at home, you don't need 10 meters to do kihon rows or a full kata without reset or stretch.

[u/Bloody-stools]

Nobody is going to see you drilling kicks in the park and want to come fight you, if anything they’re going to just laugh with their buddies about it. If that doesn’t bother you then go for it.

[u/RefillmyCoffee6times]

Go to the park at 5am. No one will bother you.

[u/Spyder73]

As long as you find a spot out by yourself and are not making a spectacle of it then there is no issue... But if all you are doing is calling attention to yourself then its weird and you should stop it ASAP

[u/Peakychu6]

I’d be wary of some Karen calling the cops because “there is someone being violent at the park”

[u/Negative-Victory-804]

I love training at the park, but you are basically setting yourself up to have people approach you to ether talk/mock/or pick a fight with you.

[u/Exact-Squash-5443]

Last time I trained public I had like 3 people wanting to fight me lol.

[u/masters_of_disasters → u/Exact-Squash-5443]

Did you win?