can we learn self defense (martial arts) through videos and books only?

Answer 1

Yes you can, but their is a few problems with it.

I know a self made black belt doing it exactly that way while i did it the traditional way.

Real only differance between him and i is i know more history, kata, and the bunkai or implementation of the katas.

one who learns from a book can learn and learn well, but as just with online classes in college you have to do extra work to meet the same level. so basically you have to be more dedicated to be self taught.

Read everything carefully and do not practice on your friends unless they are there learning too, thats how people get hurt accidentally .

So yes it is possible if you do not want to go to a school, but i still think going to a school is better and than supplement that with your personal research.

good luck!

Answer 2

Think of it this way - take yourself way back to when originators of a certain art had no one to learn from but themselves... many martial artisits (chinese particularly) from the beginning of their time had mimicked animals, watched others and then developed their own systems - practicing/perfecting their new styles with others and actually in real fights. I imagine that it took them years (maybe decades) to master because they had no one to show them the proper way - they were the master/originator of their own styles... generations past and the art was passed on down the line to all those that wished to learn/accepted. As time went by, it was always easier for a new student to learn because of all the efforts/hard work that the elders put into it.
That should encourage you to go ahead and read, study, watch videos/dvd's and practice on your own. That doesn't mean that you'll be good any time soon, but it's alot better than nothing. I would advise you to get into some kind of mixed martial arts school (at least once a week) or find a friend with alot of experience that is willing to help/practice with you and one that shares a similar interest/philosophy as you!
Sure, it is always best to learn from a master/sensei/qualified instructor, however, it may not be possible at all times due to financial problems, location, etc...and remember - you can always pick up something new from reading a book or watching a demonstration, but it is not always as easy to apply what you've learned in a real life situation... that could even be said for someone that actually trains in a dojo under a qualified teacher - techniques must be repeated countless times, practiced on other practitioners and performed with confidence the correct manner/way with perfect timing... one must dedicate herself/himself and put the kind of effort into the practice which separates greatness from mediocrity......

Answer 3

Yes but a well trained instructor will give you better insight and be able to help develop your self-defense skills even more. While books, magazines, and videos can help give you some different perspectives on things or different techniques they are in no way a substitute for a knowledgeable instructor. Another way of looking at it is that you can buy books and videos on how to build a house, fix a car or some other things. That does not necessarily mean you want to go that route.

Answer 4

Ask yourself this: Can you learn to fly a plane if you only play Microsoft Flight Simulator?

If I were to use a video or DVD for martial arts training, it would only be to supplement the training I did in the dojo - like a moving text book. It would have to be the same martial art I'm practicing though.

You can't learn heart surgery only by reading a brain surgery book.

Answer 5

It depends on what you mean. If you already have a good knowledge of martial arts then you could certainly watch videos and read books to learn new techniques and ideas and quite easily refine and apply them, however if you are a complete begginer just bite the bullet and take some classes.

Answer 6

Like the others I will have to say "yes" and "no." If you have little to no martial arts/sports experience than, I would say no. If you've ever played any kind of physical sport (soccer, football, tennis, rock climbing, or whatever) or have previous martial experience than absolutely, yes. The reason I say this is because physical activity attunes the mind and the body, martial arts is all about one-ness, using your mind to direct your body and trusting that your body is following directions. For the physically inexperineced you need someone there to tell you when your body "doesn't listen." Now, you mentioned books and movies, and I would say stay away from books for learning actual techniques; only use books to clarify your martial arts' philosophy, history, or application, but not to learn the techniques themselves. For learning techniques, movements, katas, etc. video is the way to go. You can learn almost just as well with video as in a studio, it just takes longer (the only reason I say "almost" is because usually ou don't have a training partner at home, if you do then you can absolutely learn just as well). Before our modern concept of martial arts studios, the "learn by watching" method was the only way of teching a martial art. In fact, all martial arts were originally passed down in this way. In the Shaolin temple one master would perform the moves/kata while as many as 50 students would all watch and imitate. Only Advanced Students were given personal instruction from the master, often only to correct little things like sliding a foot over a few inches, etc. When you first begin watching the video memorize the "gross movements," (punches, kicks, steps, body postion, etc), watch and imitate. Once you can basically perform a certain set of moves/kata without looking at the video for reference then, go back to the video and memorize the "Fine Movements," (position of the fingers and wrists, directions the toes point, distance of the feet in relation to eachother and the body, etc.) watch and imitate once again. Having memorized the gross and fine practice the moves/kata many times until you can run through all the movements fuidly and quickly, if your video doesn't name the set of moves give it a name yourself, so as not to confuse it with the future sets of moves you will learn. After this proceed on to the next kata/video, rinse and repeat. As a final note on learning from videos, always come back later and watch the segments of video covering the moves you already learned, as you progres in your art you will open your mind to possibilities that you couldn't see before and may catch a movement (gross or fine) that you missed previuosly, adjust your practice accordingly. This method listed above also works for partner training,

Answer 7

Using books/videos, you can probably get the gross motor movements replicated with your own body but without actually training, you'll never know the "feel" you need to make the technique work. I would suggest that you absolutely NOT use books/videos for anything other than reference material. In addition, many arts have different intentions (disable, pin, or kill) and will almost certainly change the "energy" of the techniques which one cannot decipher from a book/video.

Answer 8

You really need to take a class to get the basics and fundamentals.

Advanced students of the martial arts can glean something from books and videos but only after decades of practice.

Answer 9

I will only tell you my point of view, what ever that is worth. I have and manintain that you can learn skills from books and video. I tend not to focus on books because I like to see it "in action" I get a better point of view watching it rather than reaading, that's just me. I have learned many, many helpful things from video. I have a very good base to which I can build but I have learned and will always keep learning from video. I do not care about kata and the like but I have seen video that, if I wanted to learn, I could learn the moves of the kata. I hear people down video learning all the time on this site but for me it is not only possible but a very good source. By the by if your intrested I have a very good sized list of video if your interested in swaping instructional video. [e-mail]

Answer 10

No.... Originally Karate "videos" were designed to refresh senseis minds... who had forgotten moves to "kata" or other specific training methods (Makiwara, Kakie, etc) after they had learned them from a qualified sensei. (Usually in Okinawa, Japan or China) They were never meant to replace instruction, just to jog-memories. "Oh yeah, you turn left on Seiuchin Kata there," or, "that's what the Nigiri looked like, and the Sanchin trianing we did with them."
Then beginnners got hold of the videos. Learned Kata (mostly) but didn't learn "The Kata," just the moves of the kata. They faked some credentials, and began teaching karate. And now, we see many styles where people don't even learn Bunkai (or Oyo) but just moves.. like Karate was a dance, and not a martial art.
My suggestion... get yourself a qualified instructor.