books and dvds

[Aefibird]

Have you ever suplemmented your training with using books/dvds to learn from? I don't necessarily mean learn a whole new style, but I mean "extras" to add to your training and your knowledge?

How useful do you think that resources such as books are, especially to beginner students? Do you think that they can sometimes have a detrimantal effect - that a student could (incorrectly) learn advanced techniques from a book/dvd before being taught them in class, or should such a student be praised for having the initiative to search out information and not just wait to be told everthing by Sensei?

Is there a point in training where you think it is useful for students to be 'told' or advised to look for the info for themselves (eg seek out more bunkai etc) or should instructors just leave it up to students to decide if they want to look up additional learning?

[adamb]

i personally think it is good to read books/watch the dvds.i have only been practicing for a year and 3 months.so am still at the beggining of my MA life.but i do believe that you have to be honest with yourself on your own abilities... i.e if you r a beginner then you should not try to learn advanced techniques from just a book or dvd.as you could easily injure yourself.

i think it should be encouraged more as students need to learn for themselfs and not just be spoon fed by the instructor. does that make sense?or am i talking rubbish?

[AngelaG]

Makes a lot of sense... it's just a shame that a lot more people don't feel that way.

[subzero72]

I would check them out on dvd if I had the time

[Aefibird]

adamb said:

i think it should be encouraged more as students need to learn for themselfs and not just be spoon fed by the instructor. does that make sense?or am i talking rubbish?

I agree and yes it does make sense!

[subzero72]

does anyone know where I can get a good one for katana?

[Aefibird]

Do you want something that's generally about katana (history of, making of etc) or one about techniques with katana, such as that used in Iaido?

[pasmith]

I've learnt loads from books.
My interests are just too varied to learn all I want from going to a couple of classes a week or just doing a couple of arts.

Just last week I learnt a really cool acronym for conceptualising self defence from a book I borrowed form the library.

It was...

A(void), D(eter), D(efuse), E(vade), R(espond).

ADDER for short.
I really like that. Short and snappy and really puts things into perspective with the physical response to attack only being one fifth of the equation with all the pre-fight considerations making up more of the whole.
Just as it should be.