One Master’s View Regarding Online Martial Arts Training
I visit a lot of martial arts blogs and forums every week. A fairly hot topic is the value of online and home DVD martial arts training.
Will new technology ever totally replace personal instruction? Of course not.
But, I believe much of the negative reaction comes from a place of fear and ignorance than a well-articulated and logical argument against the use of the Internet to disseminate knowledge of the martial arts.
There are tremendous benefits to taking advantage of technology
Here are several of the benefits as I see it:
1. Archiving the wisdom of the great Masters: Imagine if the monks of the original Shaolin Temple had the ability to video their technique- what we could do with that knowledge today! So much of the original material and philosophical foundations of many styles has been lost over time. Today, the Internet allows us to preserve information forever.
2. Teach on a global scale. Would you like to have the ability to teach hundreds, thousands, maybe millions of students all over the world? Dojo.com will have channels available for you to do just that.
3. Positive Reinforcement. I know that when I conduct a clinic, many of the participants forget much of what they learned that particluar day. The Internet allows students to revisit previous lessons and practice at home. More motivated, more skilled students- exactly what every instructor dreams of, right?
Bottom line- don’t be afraid or scornful of new technology. Embrace it. After all, 30 years ago, most martial artists scoffed at the idea of training in sneakers. Today, the martial arts shoe business is a multi-million dollar industry.
Grow or die. This is 2008 A.D.. Not 528 A.D.
Tags: Mark Grupposo, modern martial arts, online martial arts training