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"Can You Train in Martial Arts Via
Video?"
It seems common these days and in this
world of technology to consider training through videos or even the
newer technology of podcasts. But the question remains, how effective is
this form of training?
Traditionalist will say, not at all. One must train with a teacher and
there is a heritage to protect and preserve that you will never
recapture through a media world. Training needs to be done on the floor,
in front of someone who can direct and correct you. Only the eye of a
master is able to detect the errors and correct them.
“Modernist” (for a lack of a better terminology) will say otherwise. In
this day in age, with so much technology and ability to capitalize on
that technology, we would be fools to leave Martial Arts in the stone
ages. We need to embrace the new technologies and find ways to progress
with the world, not get trapped behind this supposed veil of secrecy.
The reality (as always the case) lies somewhere in between.
In today’s busy and global world, the standard work hours no longer hold
true. The work place has changed and thus so has the ability for folks
to dedicate set times every day or every week to do something. It seems
that with the advances of our world to more time efficient devices such
computers, email and fax, we have much less time for ourselves.
I won’t debate in this article if that’s good or bad but merely address
that this is a barrier for many to receive consistent training. Thus,
the option of gaining knowledge and training through media like DVDs and
videos is very appealing. However, I feel very strongly attached
to and respect my teacher. I wish to continue my training with him
because I believe in what he teaches and feel it is the right Martial
Arts for me.
So there is a portion of my training that is done with videos....but i
use the videos for reference material after I have learned a particular
technique or form. Or sometimes I might look at a video to attempt to
learn something and I soak in what I can, then go back to my teacher
with what i have learned, so he could correct me. I recognize the
limitations and differences with videos though. There is something to be
said for being able to have that teacher on the floor with you, pushing
you that extra step and fixing the problems on the spot. Training this
means is much harder and requires a good relationship with your teacher.
However, there are many that pick up a video and feel that after seeing
the video and practicing what is in there, they know and understand the
techniques. This may be true – I will never debate someone on what their
knowledge does or does not entail. I will merely say that it is highly
improbable they truly have been able to capture the full essence of the
technique. Even now, at my level, I learn new things about the very
basic forms I first learned each time I go back to train with my
teacher.
Tradition and heritage is also a big part of Martial Arts, a fact that
seems to be lost at times these days. Learning about where your Martial
Arts comes from and how over time it has developed is what distinguishes
one Art from another and separates it from other combat oriented sports
like boxing or wrestling. That is not to say you MUST learn about
tradition or heritage to practice Martial Arts; but you may be missing
pieces of it if all you focused on is the combat.
Gaining some of this tradition and heritage from videos is extremely
difficult, if not impossible. There is a level of continuity that is
lost in this on demand media. The discipline is not there as it would be
on the floor of a school.
There is also the social aspect to consider, which strengthens ones
bonds to the specific discipline. I can clearly say that a portion of
why I still remain with my discipline, American Kenpo, is because of the
people involved. They have become a family to me and I have very close
bonds to those with which I trained and worked towards my ranking. I
could never duplicate that in a video world.
So whereas I do not object to those that which to train through video,
DVD or any new technology that distances the Martial Artist from the
teacher, I think it needs to come with a level of understanding that it
is not and probably can never equate to actually being with a teacher in
person....just my opinion
Respectfully,
Maurice A. Gomez Sr.
American Kenpo Black Belt
MAX Dojo American Kenpo Karate Studios
www.maxdojo.com
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