Can you really learn martial arts from DVD's????

Question

I've read certain Kung Fu histories about famous masters learning from ancient scrolls. Now we have "MASTERS" offering complete system's on DVD (Stephen Hayes, Christian Hartouche) I'm Curious what everyone else thinks as i'm skeptical

Answer 1

I studied BJJ for a few years and practiced it with a friend. We went to a gym and we are now both blue belts. Though that is only 1 up from white, it is not easy to attain. Try it yourself.

Answer 2

I've read books and watched videos for references and information but never to learn a martial art, just learn about one. There have been things that I've read and tried for fun such as certain forms from Chang Quan. Me and a friend also had quite a bit of fun trying out some techniques from an old book on Asayama Ichiden Ryu. I've always had a teacher and I've never been reserved about asking for any input on outside material. Never have i thought I could improve from a DVD or book. The internet is a very risky place for authentic information so I avoid a lot of sites until I can find any connection to believe what they're saying.

Answer 3

Listen you can learn the moves that they teach you cause monkey see monkey do, but if you really want to learn a practical martial art then go to a gym that trains mma and after one practice, you will understand for yourself why the dvd's will never compare. Also just so u know all the things you learn in traditional Karate, and Kung Fu are pointless in a real fight, and a person would end up very hurt if they tried that in a real fight. Watch UFC 1 through 5 those DVD's will explain why "Masters DVDs" are a complete waste of your money.

Answer 4

In response to Alex O., the moves you learn in Kung Fu are most definitely not pointless. You could use any one of them in an actual fight. Kung Fu is one of the hardest styles to learn because there are 3-4000 moves. Are you really going to tell me that you believe out of thousands of techniques you could not use even one in a real fight? In response to learning from a DVD, there is no way a DVD can compare to live instruction. You may be able to copy the way a move looks on the screen, but how will you know if your power and form are exactly right without someone to tell you? My master holds Ninth degree belts in Kung Fu, Hap Ki Do, and Tae Kwon Do. Do you really think a DVD could ever replace direct instruction from him? If you want to learn a martial art, seek out schools around you. They should all let you take at least a few classes for free so you can find the one you like the best.

Answer 5

That all depends...

If it is a very rare form, such as some of the rare Tai Chi forms that come from the remotes of China (I am currently studying one of these,) there may be no other way to study them.

If it is a standard martial arts discipline, you are better off going to a class where a real, live person can watch you and correct your mistakes.

The instructor on my DVD said one sentence that speaks volumes: "All of the principles and rules of Empty Hand Tai Chi forms hold."

If you don't know what the "principles and rules" are, you wouldn't be able to learn a thing!

Answer 6

yes and no.
videos are decent supplements if you already know what u r doin and u r practicing outside of class. but if u dont they're not that great. i mean training with a video is better than not training at all but training with a quailified instructor is much better than a video. because a live instructor can actually tell u if ur form is off and any lil improvements needed to make. a video obviously cannot do that for you and you could think u r doin sumthing right and actually be doing and learning it incorrectly

Answer 7

you cant learn if you know nothing,
but if you have a long history yourself with martial technique and real application, then when watching these DVD's you may be able to utilize some techniques in addition to your own.

but without the foundation of existing applicable knowledge, the techniques on the screen will make little sense and without a training partner will also be less than effective.

bottom line: you should only refer to them as training aids, not complete instruction.

Answer 8

Unless on the DVD there is a narrator that explains everything or you have an instructor like being with you that has m.a. experience.

Answer 9

Well, those "MASTERS" have black belts in Martial Arts and Marketing!!!

Answer 10

no you can't but if you watch the Saw series enough times you might be able to copy some of jigsaw's deathtraps.