Learning from a DVD

[Orient]

For years I have had a big interest in TKD, I did karate for a while as a teen but could never really get into it, same with Ju-Jitsu.

Now my 7 year old has started TKD and the more time I spend there watching the more I want to take it up myself, at the moment however I am not in the position to do so.

So I was thinking about buying a TKD DVD and trying to get something from that, I know it can't compare to a class but will I get anything out of it all until I can take up a class in a couple of years?

Thanks

[bushido_man96]

First off, welcome to the forums!

Now, as for learning from a DVD. Personally, since you have no prior experience, I would not recommend it. Wait until you start classes, so you don't develop any bad habits that will be a pain to fix. It will be better for you in the long run.

[alsey]

you have to be very careful when trying to learn without an instructor. its very easy (almost certain actually) to miss little things and do it wrong over and over. if you do it, make sure you get a DVD with a lot of attention to detail and things like common mistakes.

despite this, i don't agree with the 'forget it unless you've got an instructor' thing. if you're careful and have plenty of patience, you can learn something from a DVD. before i had the opportunity to get to a kendo dojo, i wanted to do it so much that i bought a book and learnt the basic cuts from it. when i eventually made it to a kendo dojo, the instructor had to correct a few minor things, but i didn't have to spend as long on the basics as most beginners.

so i would say give it a go, just make sure the DVD gives enough detail and make sure you pay attention to every little thing. you'll most likely get a few things wrong, but they can be corrected when you get the opportunity to train properly. until then, i'd concentrate on stretching and increasing your fitness levels.

[Shotokan-kez]

alseys advice is good. It's very difficult to learn from a DVD when you have no prior experience. I do however always refere to them once i have learned something and need to brush up on it.

[jaymac]

Using a DVD for awhile to get the basic understanding of a style is probably fine if you plan to go to a dojo in the future and learn from an instructor. Just remember to warm up and then stretch out before performing any of the movement. A good DVD would probably tell you this anyway. I don't usually encourage learning from a DVD, but you seem to understand it is a temporary situation for you. Good luck.

[Jiffy]

I would say to avoid it. For people who have a fairly extensive background in MA, learning from a DVD is a good thing. It reduces the learning time, doesn't impede on convenience and in most cases, the principles are transferable from style to style, so it's just the techniques that vary.

For someone without this experience though, I believe it will create more problems than it will solve. Remember, practice does not make perfect! Practice makes permanent. If you practise wrong, you will remain wrong. If you practice good, you will remain good. Wait till you are in a position to start a class, then do it.

[BLueDevil]

Its always better learning from an instructor, because they can point things out that maybe you arent doing.

On the other hand Evan Tanner first learned BJJ from Gracie tapes and went on to become a champion. Obviously, he has training afterwards but if it helps you get started then I would rule it out. Just pay VERY close attention and be VERY careful

[Kempohands]

I believe that it would be fine to learn from a DVD for a temporary time, so long as you pay almost ridiculously close attention to EVERYTHING. As mentioned numerous times already, it's easy to practice something just slightly wrong and never notice if you are not neurotic enough with your own training.