IS IT REMOTELY POSSIBLE?

 By Phillip Starr

It would seem that the availability of good martial arts instruction nowadays is easier than ever. If you can't find a proper school that grabs your fancy, you can always attend seminars that are taught by various masters, purchase a few DVD's, or just turn on your PC and visit various sites that offer online instruction! What could be easier? And it's entirely possible to get certified by attending certain seminars or through cyber-instruction! Wow!

As an old-fashioned traditionalist, I find this whole thing disgusting. Now, I've been to my share of seminars, many of which were taught by world-famous authorities. And I'll be the first to stand up and say that I learned from them. However, seminars are certainly NOT a good swap for regular, progressive training in a good martial arts school that is led by a qualified, motivated instructor. Some teachers who make their livings by teaching seminars offer a little more than the usual “group instruction”; they also pitch one-on-one, private tutoring sessions. These special sessions are usually rather short and follow the main seminar. Naturally, the student has to shell out more money for this “private” instruction.

Mind you, I'm not saying that this is necessarily wrong...unless said instructor offers promotions or certifications to those who complete a given number of such these exclusive classes. THAT is a scam, plain and simple. I know of more than one martial arts aficionado who, after having attended a certain number of these events, was certified as an instructor or promoted to the appropriate grade of black belt! Good. Lord. They never stopped to consider that most other devotees generally spend several years regularly attending class several times each week before being awarded the same certification! And let me say that it is simply not possible to acquire a high level of skill by limiting one's martial arts instruction to attending seminars.

I have also seen numerous DVD's on the market, which provide instruction in various facets of many different martial disciplines. This is fine and the majority of those who purchase such items are well aware that they are no replacement for “hands-on” instruction from a good teacher. They are useful for review and curiosity but they cannot provide the personal touch that is necessary if one wants to learn the real thing.

For example, I know of one individual who was desperate to learn the Okinawan kata known as sanchin. He got his hands on a DVD and practiced until he had the set memorized. Proud of his accomplishment (humility is not in his vocabulary), he approached a good friend of mine who is a high skilled teacher of traditional Isshin-ryu (an Okinawan style of karate). He happily demonstrated his sanchin kata. Now, sanchin is probably the most important kata in Okinawan karate and anyone can memorize the outer movements fairly quickly. However, what sets sanchin apart from many other forms is the INTERNAL aspects of it, which really can't be taught via DVD. It requires literal “hands on” training under a good teacher. His flaws were very obvious and my friend pointed them out to him.

Presently, I see that some online programs are now available; the aspiring student needn't buy a DVD! He can just turn on his PC and receive instruction! How convenient. How foolhardy. Again, as I said in the case about receiving instruction from a DVD, it simply isn't possible to learn genuine martial arts without the physical presence of a good teacher. One can learn something about the outer movements but the real art is often concealed below the surface of these movements and simply can't be adequately demonstrated via remote instruction.

To make matters worse, some websites offer rank promotions to those who successfully complete a “course” of such isolated instruction. Many of these require the student to provide them with digital proof that they have learned the required material. Once that's been done satisfactorily, the pupil is awarded the appropriate grade and certification WITHOUT EVER HAVING MET HIS TEACHER.

I remember back when videos were all the rage. DVD's hadn't been invented yet and there were many martial arts teachers (some who were quite well known) to offered remote instruction and subsequent promotion. As a lark, one of my pupils contacted one such revered instructor. He didn't even practice the martial form that was offered, but he went ahead and filmed himself performing two different kung-fu sets and a few basic techniques. In a very short time, he received an enthusiastic reply, which informed him that within a few months he would qualify for a SIXTH DAN! Naturally, he would be required to join their association. You can imagine my response; it was very colorful.

I believe that if you want to learn authentic martial arts, you need to seek out a qualified teacher and attend class on a regular basis. While some people search for private tutors, I am convinced that participating in a class setting is best; it provides the student with a wide variety of training partners, seniors who can inspire him, and a roomful of like-minded individuals who support each other when the going gets tough. I think it's important to build a good relationship with your teacher, a relationship that deepens over time until a close bond is formed. Learning martial arts isn't like shopping for new shoes...just my five yuan.