Learning Martial Arts From DVDs and Books - Guidelines For Using Training Resources

We live in great times, particularly if we areeducation has been undergone to learn the basic
"informationaholics". The proliferation of knowledgeprinciples, techniques and concepts of the
and its' accessibility has grown exponentially withparticular discipline.
the increase in disposable income, ease of travel,2) When training in a martial arts system that
the development of the internet and the breakingrequires work with a partner set up a regular
down of the old establishment style of publishingtraining schedule with a serious training partner
through very conservative corporations. This haswho has the same attitude to training - that of
resulted in an explosion of creative thought,learning.
innovation and sharing of knowledge not only in3) When watching the DVD or reading the book,
learning martial arts but in all areas of knowledge.take good notes, carefully observing the details of
As a veteran martial artist I have witnessed athe technique.
change from only having a limited number of4) Endeavour to get an understanding of the
systems to learn, almost all based on Japaneseprinciples and concepts underlying the technique
karate and Judo, to now where not only do weand its' execution.
have access to martial arts fighting systems from5) Learn one move or technique at a time.
all over the world but also the development of6) Train and drill the technique slowly working to
completely new approaches, such as Realitydevelop the correct execution.
Based Self Defense systems and the Mixed7) Where possible get an experienced practitioner
Martial Arts phenomenon. And while we mayor coach to observe, improve or correct the
debate as to whether they are completely newtechnique.
or original, they are certainly very new in the way8) After a period of training the technique go
that they have developed and progressed intoback to the DVD or book and re-watch or read
the highly sophisticated mixed martial arts fightingthe details of the technique again, as we often
and self defense systems that they havesee more a second time around and after we
become.have been practicing the technique for a while.
As mentioned above there has also been an9) When learning new techniques try to connect
incredible change in our ability to produce and selfthem to knowledge already acquired and train
publish our thoughts and knowledge. In the field oftechniques and moves that flow from one to the
martial arts this has resulted in a huge number ofother.
DVDs, books and online video sources available10) If the technique doesn't work, or your
for learning martial arts in all disciplines of martialexecution feels difficult, go back to the DVD or
arts.book and see if you can find out what it is that is
In response to this proliferation the diehard martialwrong.
artists of the old school are still often heard to11) Be aware that some instructional material is
say that you cannot learn martial artsfrom bookseither poorly taught or leaves many crucial details
and DVDs. In my experience this opinion is far tooout, either intentionally or in some cases
old school and conformist in attitude and does notunintentionally, as the person teaching the material
take into account the quality of material that isdoes not know how they actually do it, they just
available. It also suggests a protective traditionalistdo.
view that has historically stifled innovation andIn summary, it is certainly possible to learn martial
progress in all areas of human knowledge.arts and self defense techniques from DVDs and
I am, however, of the mind that that whilebooks, provided that you follow the guidelines
learning from DVDs and books does not take theabove. However, it is highly recommended that
place of a good school and coach it is a greatyou train in a school that teaches the discipline
way to compliment and supplement your training,that you want to learn as you will have access to
particularly if you are a practitioner of themany more training partners and also the benefit
modern, progressive forms of the martial arts,of experienced coaches who can observe and
self defense and competition fighting systems.correct your technique so that you learn faster.
As a long term martial artist from the old schoolIndeed if you reflect on the guidelines above they
and as an academic I am of the opinion thatcorrespond to benefits that a good school or
DVDs and books offer fantastic resources forcoach will provide when learning martial arts.
learning all manner of skills. My life as a researchIn summary, it is certainly possible to learn martial
scientist in the cutting edge discipline of moleculararts and self defense techniques from DVDs and
biology required that I learn and develop new skillsbooks, provided that you follow the guidelines
and knowledge from various sources, includingabove. However, it is highly recommended that
DVDs, books, seminars and papers that were inyou train in a school that teaches the discipline
many cases open to interpretation and required athat you want to learn as you will have access to
large degree of reworking to make themmany more training partners and also the benefit
workable.of experienced coaches who can observe and
However, to utilize these resources effectivelycorrect your technique so that you learn faster.
for martial arts training, or for that matter toIndeed if you reflect on the guidelines above they
learn any skill, we must apply and adhere to acorrespond to benefits that a good school or
number of guidelines:coach will provide when learning martial arts.
1) It is highly recommended that a fundamental