Validity of Martial Arts distance learning programs

[ShadowGoomba]

can you say 80's?

[ktasche]

My appologies, but I apparently wasn't totally clear. Anyone may come and check out our group and program for free. Infact, you may train for free indefinitely, unless you want to be ranked and certified in the arts we are studying.

 

If you decide you would like to continue training, and receive rank and certification, you only pay what is required to join each specific program. For example: you may join the Ninjutsu Home Study Course, taught by Shihan Richard Van Donk, for a discount price of $125, if you sign up under their buddy program. http://www.ninjutsu.com/buddy-plan.shtml. Of course, as in most dojos, testing fees aren't included.

 

However, I have such a firm belief in this particular program, that I am willing to pay the initial start up fees for anyone serious about training with this course. As I do not have an unlimited income pool, I am only offering this for the first 5 SERIOUS students. I am only interested in training and learning the value of martial arts home study courses. I AM NOT in this for any monetary gain. Email me at tasche_dupree@yahoo.com if you are serious and would like to learn more about training.

 

As another user noted, there are pages where Shihan Van Donk is listed as 14th dan and 10th dan within the American Bujinkan Website (https://www.ninjutsu.com) I have noticed alot of grammatical and typographical errors throughout their site as well. Shihan Van Donk currently holds the rank of Ju-Yondan (14th dan) In the art of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. (The Bujinkan system consists of nine different ryu, the most well known being Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu).

 

Neither myself, Shihan Van Donk, nor any member of our group is wanted in 25 countries, as another user put. There are no con artists, charletains, or anything like that. We are simply interested in training. There has been much said against home study courses, and we are simply interested in training. Shihan Van Donk is a well respected member of the Bujinkan and of the martial arts industry in general. How narrow have we become as martial artists, that we must resort to bashing those with different views and ideas??

 

There are people within the Bujinkan itself, that don't like the idea of a Home Study Course. These are the traditionalists who stand firmly on their morales, and I respect that. However, there are those who have trained with this course, either solely as a home study program or as as supplement to training in a dojo, who have achieved shodan level and beyond. I myself have dojo training as well as home study training in the Bujinkan.

 

By no means am I dismissing the value of training in a dojo. I agree that traditional training has many good points, and is probably the best form of martial arts training. But, it is not the only way.

 

In response to another users post, no one in the Bujinkan is affiliated with Ashida Kim. Ashida Kim is definitely a fraud. For one, all of the techniques in his books are in Chinese. (Yes, I read his "Secrets of the Ninja", and ended up on the floor rolling with laughter.) Shihan Van Donk is a direct student of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, soke of the nine Bujinkan Traditions, who trained directly with Toshitsugu Takamatsu O'sensei.

 

Anyhow, I hope this clears a few things up. If you don't believe home study is a practical way of training, then continue training in your dojo. If you believe home study has it's value, or would like to see for yourself, then email us for more information. (tasche_dupree@yahoo.com).

 

Again, we will be checking into other such programs in the future. The Ninjutsu Home Study Course is just the first on our list. Also on our agenda is the Combat Hapkido course, taught by Grandmaster John Pelligrini, and sponsored by the International Combat Hapkido Federation. (https://www.ichf.com).

 

Thank you, and rembember, no matter what system you study or how you get you knowledge, enjoy your training!!

[47MartialMan]

How about bull *?

[Master Jules]

Hey !!! I said that earlier MM......get your own material for this comedy thread !! LMAO !!!

 

~Jules

[Master Jules]

I hereby proclaim myself to be 20th Dan Grand Poobah of JulesRyu.....and for just the low low fee of 19.95......you too can be one of my disciples.....robes not included.......but I will send you a really nice certificate.....suitable for framing.......

 

Someone please kill this thread.......Im going into laughter convulsions.

 

~Jules

[47MartialMan]

I can beat that price, act now and we'll double the material.....but wait......we'll take off half of the price......and there is a free gift.......

[aefibird]

Sorry Jules, I'd love to join your system, but I'm already a paid-up member of Richard-do.

 

Richard is a Nidan who used to train at my club until serious injury forced him to stop.

 

Consequently, he's set up his own joke system for those who can't or (more likely) don't want to train, but who like just talking about training, rather than actually doing...

 

It's aimed at all those who are 'all mouth and no trousers' as a popular saying in England goes.

 

ie, those who can talk well, but won't actually do it.

 

The more rubbish a person can spout the higher Dan grade they get in Richard-do.

 

Richard himself is a 1000th Dan Grand Master; he's made me an honorary 999th Dan, as I buy him pints of beer...

 

Oh, yes, drinking large quantities of beer is also a feature of Richard-do.

 

 

 

Anyone else know someone who has made up their own joke system? (I mean people who've made up a style and know its a joke - not those who make up a style and try and pass it off a the best thing since bread came sliced...)

[47MartialMan]

Richard Do......where's his website?

[doubletwist]

I do believe that using videos/books as a supplement to your work at the dojo is extremely useful, perhaps even a recommended practice. I do NOT however believe that it is reasonable to rely on distance-learning as your only exposure to a MA.

 

I can't imagine trying to learn all these techniqes without the feeling of doing it on someone, or having it done to you by someone who knows the technique better than I do. Not to mention the frequency with which I feel like I'm doing something correctly, only to be told I'm not, and having my instructor [or even fellow student], make a minor adjustment in my technique which brings about even more power, speed and understanding. That's just something that a book & video can never be capable of doing.

 

There are of course other places that claim to have complete distance-learning courses to get your blackbelt. I'm sorry to say that one of them is even in Kenpo, sold by a guy in Dallas named Adrian "Chief" Roman. For the low-low price of $995 [!!!] you get the videos, books and a black-belt & certificate. It is of course on your "honor" that you will complete the course properly before wearing the BB and presenting yourself as such.

 

I can't really comment on the quality of what is contained in the video's themselves. Hell, they may very well be excellent training videos; but the way it is presented really reeks of * if you ask me.

 

DT

[Master Jules]

All kidding aside.....books and tapes can be usefull to "supplement" ones training, because martial arts training isnt ALL physical..........but they will never be able to impart the "feel" of the subtle nuances of certain techniques....never....that knowledge can only be gained through "hands on" instruction, and years of "hands on" refinement.

 

On the lighter side....I like the "pints of beer" concept of "Richard-Do"

 

~Master Jules