Learning Online

[BLueDevil]

As some of you may have read, I am without teacher right now. I started watching the "On the Mat" series which I posted a link to in the Karate section. I found the guy that teaches in the video and he e-mailed me an offer to learn online through videos streamlined through his website for $20 a month. It would be similar to the series on You tube only longer and in depth(hopefully). He is also going to Webcast live classes.

Ive always been weiry of learning online, through videos, or books. I think learning live in class is the better option. But on the other hand $20 is a good deal, and from what ive seen he does a good job teaching. I'd probably be starting from the bottom(probably white belt) but I honestly dont mind as belts arent that important to me.

What do you guys think? Should I do it? Would you do it if you didnt have a teacher?

[Zapatista]

I personally would never do it. If I didn't have a teacher (I don't now), I'd work on conditioning and getting more fit so I can do better when I get a teacher.

The other thing about that is, what if your computer crashes or you have computer errors? Will this person give you any money back?

Another issue I would have with it is if you weren't doing something correctly all he can do is tell you that you're doing it wrong and show you over the internet, whereas if you had a live teacher they could move your limbs to show how to do it correctly so you would get a feel.

How often would he do these classes over the internet?

[french fri25]

i would never do online or video martial arts either. a student should be able to ask questions and learn philosophy and take in knoweledge of a live instructor. by learning things off the internet, you cant really do that. the only thing is, you could keep in touch with the instructor by email, so it wont be THAT bad. you can train online if you want, but make sure to email questions and comments daily to the instructor, so that you can make sure you are doing techniques right and so you can really learn the art. what i suggest is if you do the internet training, dont get too hooked. as soon as there is a decent instructor, GET TO A REAL DOJO! the internet training should only be there to keep you in the MA state of mind and will teach you some basic techniques. it shouldnt be something that important to you that you would give up the opportunity to train in a real dojo for. just do it to keep the MA mindset and keep your eyes open for a real dojo.

[bushido_man96]

Personally, I would probably not do it. However, it may work ok for you. Just be wary of things like this, and all of the conditions and circumstances that can arise from this medium of learning. If you have previous martial arts experience (I assume that you do), you will probably have an easier time of picking things up. Like you said, $20 a month isn't bad, so if the instruction is not what you hope, you don't lose much, and you can cut your losses.

I hope it works out for you. Best of luck!

[Jiffy]

I'm gonna disagree. I personally think that getting instruction from someone over a video source is better than no instruction at all. Obviously there will be disadvantages to training in a class environment, but if a class environment is not available, I rekon this is the next best thing. Go for it.

[P.A.L]

if this the only way you can get instrauction, then that's the way to go, i hope you got a training partner at least.

good luck

[Syphax]

If it's all you have, then go for it. You need some instruction. But if there is any way you can train in person then absolutely shoot for that option.

[bushido_man96]

I think that it is important to remember that the martial arts had to be originally learned through trial and error. This is one of the best ways to learn things; through your own experiences. I am not discounting instructors in any way, and I feel the same as most others about seeking out qualified instruction. However, there are other ways to learn; they may not be the shortest path, but it is still a path. I know of a few organizations and individuals who are reconstructing Medieval fighting systems from original manuscripts. It is a long process, but I'll bet it is fun and educating.

We are always so used to tradition, and tradition says we should learn from an instructor, and always have someone who is high rank above us. Tradition is ok; just don't let it lead to stagnation.

[Zapatista]

I think that it is important to remember that the martial arts had to be originally learned through trial and error. This is one of the best ways to learn things; through your own experiences. I am not discounting instructors in any way, and I feel the same as most others about seeking out qualified instruction. However, there are other ways to learn; they may not be the shortest path, but it is still a path. I know of a few organizations and individuals who are reconstructing Medieval fighting systems from original manuscripts. It is a long process, but I'll bet it is fun and educating.

We are always so used to tradition, and tradition says we should learn from an instructor, and always have someone who is high rank above us. Tradition is ok; just don't let it lead to stagnation.

I somewhat disagree. I think this will depend on the art being learned. If somebody learns an art through video they don't have anybody to tell them if they are learning the technique wrong when applying this to somebody they can do something such as break fingers/wrist with wrong punching techniques or even something more severe like breaking somebody's joint or tearing ligamints through joint manipulations.

[edit] Also, back when the majority of the arts techniques were formed the legal system was completely different, and a lot of the arts were designed to do as much damage as possible. Now if you're just sparring with a friend, improper technique can increase the damage to both parties[/edit]

[bushido_man96]

I think that it is important to remember that the martial arts had to be originally learned through trial and error. This is one of the best ways to learn things; through your own experiences. I am not discounting instructors in any way, and I feel the same as most others about seeking out qualified instruction. However, there are other ways to learn; they may not be the shortest path, but it is still a path. I know of a few organizations and individuals who are reconstructing Medieval fighting systems from original manuscripts. It is a long process, but I'll bet it is fun and educating.

We are always so used to tradition, and tradition says we should learn from an instructor, and always have someone who is high rank above us. Tradition is ok; just don't let it lead to stagnation.

I somewhat disagree. I think this will depend on the art being learned. If somebody learns an art through video they don't have anybody to tell them if they are learning the technique wrong when applying this to somebody they can do something such as break fingers/wrist with wrong punching techniques or even something more severe like breaking somebody's joint or tearing ligamints through joint manipulations.

[edit] Also, back when the majority of the arts techniques were formed the legal system was completely different, and a lot of the arts were designed to do as much damage as possible. Now if you're just sparring with a friend, improper technique can increase the damage to both parties[/edit]

Well, you make a good point, but if they don't have an instructor near by, then they aren't going to learn anything, period. At least they have a way to start. Like I said, it is not ideal, but it is a way.

As far as what the arts were originally designed to do, and the former legal systems, I am not so sure that really makes a difference. Fighting competitions have existed in just about every civilization that ever existed, regardless of whether or not a "fighting style" developed out of it. It really isn't any big secret that if you stick your finger in someone's eyes that it will mess them up. Back then, even as now, they could only practice these techniques with control, because you can't run off all your training partners, because they didn't want to run them all off!