do you need to be at a dojo?

[boyo1991]

i mean really, cant the dojo just be in ur mind and never really take lessons and still learn just as much as everyone else (what i mean by lessons is formal lessons in the dojo, online lessons are not included, you man use them )? cuz i think this is very possible, you may look weird without a GI, or uniform/belt, but eh, its possible aint it?

[tallgeese]

A proper dojo, as in commercial establishment, no.

However, you do need a group of people to work with and someone who actually knows what he's talking about to pass it on.

Some of the best training I've ever done was in a garage. That being said, everyone else training there was pretty skilled in one thing or another. And also to be fair, I've spend quit a bit of time in a dojo and/or training facility over the years. The key is really quality instruction in whatever it is that you want to do.

[ps1]

I don't think there needs to be a dojo specifically. But you certainly need someone there, with you, to guide you, teach you, motivate you, and take you to the next level.

If by "dojo" you mean a specific building...I guess not. But the importance of a qualified instructor can never be over stated.

[bushido_man96]

I don't think a dojo is necessary. I think it would be hard for anyone to get better, though, without consulting others for advise. I think it is possible to get better on your own, but learning from someone else's experience is easier than garnering it on your own all the time.

[Throwdown0850]

the only thing you need is the right material and a good instructor.

[pittbullJudoka]

You only need your ma peers and a place to train. The dojo I'm in has only been in the locations it's in now for about three years but has be everywhere around where I live. I haven't been in with the group I'm with but four years. But in the past some of the guys I'm training with were training in garages, backyards, or were ever they could get together. A dojo is just a meeting place forlike minded martial artist. Even if it's your sensei's backyard.

[DWx]

You don't need a dojo as in a solid building; our classes are in at a different venue nearly every day of the week. But like everyone else has said you do need a dojo as in a group of people to train with and learn from. I think that once you get to a certain level and are fairly competent you can do more on your own but for the most part how can you learn to fight without somebody to fight against? Even if you are the highest ranking person in your style and think you know more than everyone else you still need a dojo to keep your skills alive and to keep improving. I wouldn't say formal lessons were necessary but you definately need opportunities to learn and time to practice what you've learnt.

[boyo1991]

i started out without a dojo, and it seemed to be a platform to get me motivated to go to one.. i voted no, because of the fact that the videos online can be good instruction..

[shujika]

Although I didn't care for the wording on the answer choices, I voted no, I interpreted the question to be more "Do you need a "formal" dojo/dojang, to study at in order to learn a martial art. Interpreting the question as such, I voted no, Although, an instructor (of at least SOME experience) would be of much higher value than "online" instruction (ie, watching a bunch of videos). Somehow, the “I can figure it all out by myself” attitude, is not one that I can believe/endorse without some form of “hands on” instruction which, when from an experienced instructor, can limit poor/wrong technique practice and offer explanations/corrections to the techniques (and just to answer questions the student will have). If one has some form of previous instruction, then maybe, you could evaluate the effectiveness (or even "usability") of the technique/instruction.