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Eddie J
Eddie J's picture
Do online trainer break training traditions.

This question is mainly addressed to Iain and other online trainers.

Do you feel that you are looked upon in a good light or bad light from other martial arts teachers.

One issue that I could see coming into play is that now anyone can go online and see every Kata disected down in detail.  Exposing all the little details that would have taken others several years of study to be entitled to. Exposing all of the dealy details of that martial art. Students do not have to wait and pay for years of studying to understand the principles of kata and technques.

I personally think that it opens more dors for the good instructors to gain students that see something on line and want more, more personal instruction. More details that might be missing from online courses.

The instructions that I gather online only make me want more.  But in my case I have to look harder online because I am not getting the answers in the dojo.

Elmar
Elmar's picture

While online make somethings easier, so do books and videos.  There is no substitute for having an instructor put hands on you, since so much of the "real" stuff is kinesthetic (touch) based.  Until we get "feelies" in VR, and perhaps not even then, everything else will be only a way to either remind you of what you have leanred in the dojo, or a way to whet your appretitie to get to a dojo, imho.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Hi Eddie,

Eddie J wrote:
This question is mainly addressed to Iain and other online trainers.

I don’t think I’m an “online trainer” because I strongly feel the only place you can learn properly is in a good dojo / gym under the close supervision of qualified instructors.

You can’t learn online. Nor can you teach online.

I have never ran any kind of “online program” and the only people I have ever awarded rank or certification to are those who have worked with me in person.

It takes an average of ten years of regular hands on practise to gain a dan grade with me. I’m therefore don’t’ see how I can be described as an “online trainer”.

What the internet does enable is instructors to share information and network. I’m try to provide information that other instructors may find useful, and I also hope what I put out will help students make informed choices about he kind of training they want. I’m not training anyone via the internet though. It’s simply not possible in my view.

Eddie J wrote:
One issue that I could see coming into play is that now anyone can go online and see every Kata dissected down in detail … Students do not have to wait and pay for years of studying to understand the principles of kata and techniques.

Eddie J wrote:
The instructions that I gather online only make me want more.  But in my case I have to look harder online because I am not getting the answers in the dojo.

Why should people wait to learn something of value? I think they should learn from day one and useful information should not be “hidden” or “held back”. Normally those making the claim that “all will be revealed in time” are making that statement because they are covering up the fact they don’t have that information to pass on.

The answers should come from the dojo, and online information can make people aware of the kind of answers that they want. It can also help give experienced instructors ideas and drills that their previous experience makes them capable of adopting and sharing with their own students.  

Online info is no substitute for hands on learning though. In your case, you are aware that your current dojo is not giving you the information you want. And the reason you are aware of that is because the alternative is presented by myself and many others using modern media. If that alternative was not accessible, how would anyone know it existed?

Seeing something in an online video does not make people instantly competent. People need practise, instruction, correction and partners to train with. All of which can only be found in a good dojo. My hope is that what I put out online will encourage people to seek quality instruction.

I hope the helps clarify my intent.

All the best,

Iain

Eddie J
Eddie J's picture

I am sorry if I implied online trainer as a bad thing.  I am glad that you have put yourself out for the world to see and either learn from you or not.  Maybe learn from you is not the right term.  But you open our eyes to other ways.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Eddie J wrote:
I am glad that you have put yourself out for the world to see and either learn from you or not.  Maybe learn from you is not the right term.  But you open our eyes to other ways.

Thanks for the kind words Eddie. I think I understand what you mean. I also think “learn” is OK as a term because there are degrees of learning.

Last night I watched a BBC documentary of the nature of time. I learnt something about time from the documentary, but that’s not to say that watching the TV show is the same of studying physics to a high level in a university under the direct instruction of those featured in the documentary.   

So I hope people learn something from the vidoes, podcasts, etc. But it’s not the same type of learning one would get at a seminar or at my dojo.

I hope that helps clarify things?

All the best,

Iain