Hahaha
Enjoyed a DVD = online instruction?
Nice analogy.
And your BJJ Blackbelt - did he grade for his BB online?
Were these "seminars, privates etc" online or in person?
False analogy Brian, you shmuck.
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Who said anything about belt grading online/distance? Who said that in person training was not encouraged?
Beginners with no experience should go to a local teacher if possible.
Everyone learning something via distance should seek out as much in person contact with their teacher as possible.
The higher the level of the teacher or information the more likely it is that it's worthwhile to bother doing it via distance.
The cheaper in terms of $$ costs it is.. again the more likely it is that it's worthwhile to bother doing it via distance.
If the style has lots of basics that can be done solo (like taiji and bagua, UNLIKE BJJ, Judo, SC or FMA IMO) the more likely it is that it's worthwhile to bother doing via distance.
If someone has previous experience, wants to develop a relationship with teacher and material before being out travel costs, the information/teacher is very high quality, and the costs of working via distance is low or minimal.. then it may be a good deal.
It's all about figuring out what you want and can use. Nobody I'm involved with suggests training solely via distance (and especially for beginners!!) is a way to martial skill.
Maybe qi gong or health stuff.. I'm not sure. I'm not into that area though.
Actually - when I first started doing bagua I was having difficulties maintaining a good circle. On a nice day, after we had received a good deal of snow I went out and made a nice circle and walked for a couple of hours, changing direction every so often. I feel that this really helped me to figure out the concept of walking around a fixed point in empty space. I think the hours spend walking the same rut in the snow kind of burned the good circle into my muscle memory or something.
I'd agree with Dale. If the wind isn't so bad, it'd be a good thing to try out. I think that if the breeze is so much that you are paying more attention to it more than your practice, then you might want to find somewhere else to practice.