Can you really learn kung fu from watching movies?
I've watched every Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movie and I want to learn martial arts. But there are no dojos near me. Can I learn basic self-defense from instructional videos or DVDs? Is that dangerous? What martial art is most practical for real-life self-defense? How long does it take to get good enough to actually defend yourself?
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4 Answers
Borrow before you buy. The library has way more than books — CDs, DVDs, even some equipment. Try things out for free first. No reason to drop a lot of money before you know whether you'll stick with it.
My buddy got me into this and the best thing he did was let me try his stuff before I bought anything. See if you have a friend who's already into it, or check if there's a local club. Hands-on beats reading reviews any day.
Don't spend a lot of money right away. The industry changes constantly and what's considered the best today will be outdated in a year or two. Start with a mid-range option and you'll be happy.
Check out dedicated forums and message boards for this topic. The communities are usually very welcoming to newcomers and can give much more detailed advice than a general Q&A site. Plus they have buyer's guides and FAQ sections.
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