Is it possible to study martial arts by book?

Question

Practice by myself

Answer 1

Unfortunately, it's a bit like trying to learn to drive a car by reading about it. If you make a mistake, the book won't be able to correct/help you. Get a reputable human instructor instead.
Good luck!

Answer 2

You can learn almost anything from a book. But, you need practical application to make sure the techniques work. What you will lack is a partner or an instructor to make sure you are doing the moves correctly. You might think you are learning them correctly. Until someone wipes the floor with your head because of some small mistake you don't know you are doing.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right. Pay the money and learn from a good instructor.

If you know martial arts already and you are reading on another art in a book, that's a different situation. Then you can probably learn by yourself. To an extent.

If you practice Tai Chi and you are reading about Ju Jitsu, it may not work. If you know Hapkido and you are reading about more wrist locks from somewhere else, then you will probably be ok.

Answer 3

i think sparing someone and learning techniques that are your own is better than learning from a book. i believe that because you might misunderstand a movement or the application when learning from a book, and it would just become a bad habit. if you taught yourself by sparing then you would know exactly how the move is done. The best of course is to have a teacher show you the correct moves and how to apply it correctly, and correct you when you are doing something wrong.

ps. Bruce Lee's movies will help no one in technique since Bruce Lee did not use his real martial art when filming, he used exaguated movements in all the moves he did. (if anyone got good, it's by practice. and if they learned actual JKD with that amount of practice they could have become even better)

Answer 4

The simple answer is no.

The value in martial art is not learning the techniques and/or even in executing them. It is the process of hard-work, dedication, lots of pain and sweat that makes a martial artist.

The mental aspect is the most important of all. The teachings of self-respect, discipline and respect for others are what martial art is about.

One of the answers suggests he read the books and watch some Bruce Lee movies and went to a local dojo and beat some black-belt instructor and took their black-belt is exactly what books can and cannot do for a person. He is not even worthy of being a regular human being with some decency and respect for others, let alone be a member of the martial arts culture that goes back thousands of years with rich traditions.

Answer 5

Yes it is possible... just as it is possible to do the same thing with baseball or any other sport. Can you actually learn the art this way? No. You need an instructor to tell you what you are and are not doing correctly. This is the only way to get the true art down. Books can tell you info, but cannot help or critique.

Answer 6

No. you can learn movement of forms (katas) but you won't get the whole picture out of a book or DVD. These alot more to the martial arts (any of them) than you really understand until you've studied with a qualified instructor.

Answer 7

ah it depends on the person it is possible its called free style martial arts but it works better for some people then others

Answer 8

You could most likely become better than an untrained similarly athletic person.

The problem is you become better by practicing with real people. Also practicing with people who have better skills then you.

So yeah you could learn some basic concepts but you won't be good.

Answer 9

No,find a dojo or a group.

To Kendell. The "local martial arts teacher" sounds like a fraud.

Answer 10

I had friends who did. Along with old Bruce Lee movies, all of his movies. Studied for over a year. Went to the local martial arts school, kicked the teacher's butt and got their black belt. It can be done.