There will be preferences when it comes time to learn Martial Arts, but there are also a couple of things that are fairly obvious, and that we will be able to agree on. Interestingly, I came across this information many years ago, and have used it myself. It deals with analyzing the worth of media in transmitting data. The worst way to absorb data is through the movies or TV. This is because the martial art techniques that you will see on the silver screen, whether it is the art of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, or whoever, has been altered for the camera. Yes, it may look fantastic, but stuntmen and camera cuts are making it look good.

Almost as bad as the screen, and it might even be considered a toss up with these two, is the internet. While there can be pearls out there, the dreck is overwhelming. Dial into the internet for the purpose of actually trying to learn something (as opposed to just surfing for fun) and you engage a common brain that doesn’t know any better, pseudo experts, overwhelming amounts of data with no real instruction or even organization of data, what’s cool, advertising that hasn’t and can’t be tested for worth, and so on.

The third weakest way to educate oneself would be to try to learn from magazines. Now, this is not to be discounted, magazines do give you an overall viewpoint of what’s going on–and not just in the classical arts–and can give a good education as to what is out there. Good writing and the dedication of the magazine to find out what the reader is really interested in, and the tendency of the worthwhile ads to stick around, makes this a good source of finding out about different martial arts.

Fourth weakest would be to learn through martial arts videos. Now, I shouldn’t be saying say weakest, but third strongest, because one can focus on a specific art, explore that art in depth, and really get some great instruction. To be truthful, it’s a toss up between this and the next item, almost a tie, but I settled on the order you see because there are just so many terrible videos out there–it’s just too easy to string some fighting techniques together, slap a pseudo scientific label on it, and use internet marketing to blast it past common sense.

Second best and of very high value, when it comes to the learning process goes to martial arts books. With books you might not get the visual look, but if you have any instruction in a training hall, books will do the trick. Furthermore, you can get the most detail, in depth theory, the most fully thought out concepts in books–and if you can get a video to go along with it then you really are on to something.

The best method for learning the the combat discipline, no doubt about it, is to take a martial arts class at a good training hall, one where they teach not just the blood and guts, but the heart and soul. You’ll find friendships that last a lifetime, styles of combat that stuck around for thousands of years, and some pretty darned good times. Add to that that you can ask a question about anything you want right on the spot, and the worth of this method is undeniable.

People study according to their opportunity and means, thus, none of the things I have mentioned can be entirely discounted. And, the smart student will do a mix and match and educate himself so that he truly learns the most. In the end, every man is self made, learning Martial Arts is the best way to really make oneself.

Whether you want to study Karate, Shaolin, Aikido,or some other art, Monster Martial Art has the best books and instructional videos in the world. 1

Tags: Self Defence