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So you have been cruising the internet and want to learn martial arts. All of a sudden you happen upon a site that says that they will allow you the option of home study. All you have to do is pay them a bunch of money, watch some DVDs, mimic some moves and you too can be a martial artist. Maybe even a master! Wrong! There is absolutely no way that training in martial arts can be done through the internet alone. Sure, you can augment training that you already have with techniques from the internet, you might even learn something new, but without an instructor who is highly trained and a good teacher, you are only wasting your money. Martial arts include some very specialized techniques.

Can you learn anything from online training? Probably. Can you learn how to defend yourself? Doubtful. Most of the people that advertise "Earn a black belt" are counting on people not following through and actually trying to do it. It is a money maker and that is what they are in it for. They aren't concerned with what you learn or you at all, they are only looking at the amount of money they can make. Are there people out there who offer online classes that are well-meaning? I am sure that there are. If you already have skills in a martial art, is it possible to get online training that may help you transition to another art? The jury is still out on that one. I suppose that it could be possible to learn something substantial if the two arts are related. For example, if you have a sound basis in one style of karate, it might be possible to transition to another style of the same art. That would depend upon the motivation of the individual.

The best way of learning a martial art is to find a good teacher. To do that, you need to have some face to face contact. Look for someone who is patient and will give you time to learn. Look for someone who isn't into teaching just for the money but who truly loves to teach. You can do that by going to dojos and taking an introductory class or watching a class. Beware of teachers who need you to feed their egos by having you compete. Competition isn't a bad thing, but it is just a part of the picture. Put your ego on the shelf and do it the old fashioned way. After all it isn't just about a belt. It is about character. Gichin Funakoshi (the father of modern karate) said, "The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants." Jigoro Kano (the father of Judo) said, "Judo is the way to the most effective use of both physical and spiritual strength. By training you in attacks and defenses it refines your body and your soul and helps you make the spiritual essence of Judo a part of your very being. In this way you are able to perfect yourself and contribute something of value to the world. This is the final goal of Judo discipline." So the real goal here is working toward perfection of character through learning the martial arts. My guess is that there really isn't a course online that can demonstrate that.

Learn more about this author, Jules Willis.
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