Learning from books

[Venrix]

Personally, I see books as 'training aids'. That is - a great way to 'revise' or expand upon the things you are learning. But, the knowledge is purely academic. Physical skill comes only from physical practise. Knowledge can come from an instructor - or a book.

 

In other words - I think progression needs both the development of the brain (knowledge of techniques) and the body (the physical ability to perform them). When training - we cannot 'see ourselves'. We often feel and believe that we are performing technique correctly when, in fact, we are all over the place. An instructor is like a 'human version of the book that can actually see what we are doing'. He is able to assist us, comment on our performance of technique. Praising that which is good and guiding us in the right direction when things are bad..

 

Personally, I feel both serve their purpose. The book provides the 'academia' and the instructor helps bring that acedemia to reality. As an 'overview' of what's to come within a given style a book can often be the perfect place to start.

 

-V-

[steve57]

Without a doubt books are a very effective media to learn from,however in the martial arts they are probably better served to complement your overall training. Although not impossible it is very difficult to learn correct physical movement solely from a reading source.