| Advances in technology have taken martial arts | | | | context of martial arts training and have the basic |
| to a whole new level. The Internet and DVD's | | | | knowledge to grasp the concepts. |
| allow you to train with the most accomplished | | | | It is a different story if you've never trained in |
| martial artists in the privacy of your own living | | | | the martial arts and are looking at one of these |
| room. With this convenience however comes a lot | | | | products for the first time. I will tell you from |
| of debate. The martial arts community is divided | | | | experience that an instructor is necessary to |
| over whether it is possible for someone to learn | | | | make corrections early on in your martial arts |
| the martial arts through distance learning. I think | | | | training so you are rooted in good basics and you |
| the answer lies somewhere in the center. | | | | don't develop bad habits that will be hard to undo |
| Realistically, you may not have a martial art | | | | once they become ingrained. If you are thinking of |
| school with the style of their choosing in your | | | | working toward your black belt via distance |
| neighborhood or even within traveling distance. | | | | learning, then choose a program that has video |
| You may not be able to afford the tuition due to | | | | testing or where you can travel periodically to |
| financial constraints. You may have to travel | | | | have your technique checked and corrected by a |
| extensively for work and are unable to follow a | | | | competent instructor. |
| traditional class schedule. Or you just may want | | | | Another good piece of advice for the distance |
| to learn a style that isn't offered in your | | | | learner is to get a buddy to work with you. |
| geographic location and can't afford to travel long | | | | Punching the air is not as effective as working |
| distances. If you're in any of these situations, | | | | with a partner. Also, training with a partner can |
| Internet and DVD training has made it easy for | | | | help motivate both of you to stick with it. Treat it |
| you're to enjoy training in the martial arts. | | | | as if you have to show up to a martial arts class |
| Learning martial arts through the Internet or DVD | | | | two to three times per week. Keep a schedule. |
| is great if you've already earned a black belt | | | | This is what you would be doing if you were |
| through traditional class attendance and | | | | paying tuition at a school. You'll need to stay |
| face-to-face training. Here, you have the basic | | | | motivated or the DVD's will just pile up and collect |
| foundation and skill to put the new information | | | | dust. |
| together. So for example, let's say you have a | | | | You'll get the best training the old fashioned way |
| first-degree black belt in a traditional karate style. | | | | in a school under the direction of a competent |
| You've decided that you would like to balance | | | | instructor. If that doesn't work for you, don't shy |
| your hard training with a soft style like Wing Chun | | | | away from martial arts training. There are many |
| Kung Fu. Because of your background, using a | | | | good resources out there with either video or |
| DVD course would not be a problem. You know | | | | periodic in-person supervision to make the best of |
| by now how the human anatomy works in the | | | | your distance learning experience. |