A few questions from a beginner

[Level000]

I know you all have probably heard enough of these, but I figured I would ask anyway, as you all probably know a lot better than myself. Being completely new to martial arts, I have no experience in it. Though recently I have bought a tai chi instruction disc and book, 'Instant Master Class: The Power of Tai Chi' and have started the yang-style 8-form, but other than that, no training what so ever.

I had heard from a friend though, and several online sources, that since I couldn't get to a trainer for ninjutsu, to look it up on youtube, and try and copy what they do. Is this actually a good idea, because I know a lot of the stuff on there is actually people who have no idea what they are doing themselves.

Another question is if any of you had any basic exercises to get me prepared for when I do get to an instructor, besides the basic push-up/sit-up/pull-up/running for basic fitness. I really want to learn correctly, so if it will ingrain bad habits, I would like to avoid it.

I don't have much to train with, a rough wooden sword I cut to shape myself, so not very well... good, and a decent-enough katana with a sharp edge, but it is built better then most cheap stuff on the market, but by no means a great one, so there is little danger of it flying off, though there is the danger of cutting myself, which I take very seriously.

Lastly, as I am interested in the history and culture, if any of you know a better resource to learn about them than wikipedia, please inform me of that as well. Thank you all very much for your time, and for your patience.

[Don Roley]

I had heard from a friend though, and several online sources, that since I couldn't get to a trainer for ninjutsu, to look it up on youtube, and try and copy what they do. Is this actually a good idea, because I know a lot of the stuff on there is actually people who have no idea what they are doing themselves.

Another question is if any of you had any basic exercises to get me prepared for when I do get to an instructor, besides the basic push-up/sit-up/pull-up/running for basic fitness. I really want to learn correctly, so if it will ingrain bad habits, I would like to avoid it.

Do not try to learn anything off of videos from youtube or anywhere else. Even if the person knows what they are doing, if you do not notice a small error that will become a habit you may never break. The start of training is when you are most vulnerable to this.

If you can try out things like The Alexander Technique or Feldenkries, do so in order to get your body moving to new ways. Then you will be a better student when you find a teacher.

Oh, and as for a good source for history, let me think about that and I will get back to you.

[Abbax8]

I would recommend you look around and see what Martial Arts Classes are offered near you and pick one to train in under a qualified instructor. This would help you train your body and begin you on the journey of actually being a student of MA. Later you may find it possible to study Ninjutsu under an instructor.

I wish you the best in your journey.

Dennis

[rainesr]

Although your motivation is commendable, I would listen to Don.

I have never owned my own school, but I have had the pleasure of of being asked by my instructor to teach junior belts who decided to learn their next set or form from the Internet/video. It was signifigantly more difficult than teaching someone who had never seen the form. I can't imagine the challenge your first instructor and you would have if you learned from youtube/videos for any significant amount of time before attending a school.

As far as history goes a good start might be "Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts". It is a bit dated now, it was last updated in 1984 but it gives a history/description of the martial arts by country.

Good luck,

~Rob

[Level000]

Well, thank you all for your support, and your advice. But I was hoping that there would be something that I could do. As I understand it, Ninjutsu is an umbrella term for many different studies, not all of them fighting or even physically-related. I apologize if I am a bit... Strong, about asking, but I do hope to start as soon as possible, since it is a life-long study, always learning, always improving... So the sooner I get started, the more that I can learn.

But once more, thank you for your time already.

[Abbax8]

Jonathan,
No problem in asking questions, that's what the forum is for. However you need to understand, trying to learn Martial Art techniques without an instructor's eyes on you as you are learning is basically impossible. You'll do something that looks like something but you have a 90 % chance or better of doing it wrong.

I don't teach Ninjutsu but I do teach throws that you would find in it. Without the proper foot placement, hand placement, correct pull, pivot, knee bend, body angle, etc. it won't work the way it is suppose to work. You will develop bad habits that will need to be unlearned if you ever do find an instructor and you not be starting from the beginning but rather you will need to work very hard just to get to the beginning to unlearn bad habits. I know you don't want to hear this but it's the truth and I'm just trying to help.

I wish you well in your search.

Dennis

[Ramirez]

Jonathan,
No problem in asking questions, that's what the forum is for. However you need to understand, trying to learn Martial Art techniques without an instructor's eyes on you as you are learning is basically impossible. You'll do something that looks like something but you have a 90 % chance or better of doing it wrong.

I don't teach Ninjutsu but I do teach throws that you would find in it. Without the proper foot placement, hand placement, correct pull, pivot, knee bend, body angle, etc. it won't work the way it is suppose to work. You will develop bad habits that will need to be unlearned if you ever do find an instructor and you not be starting from the beginning but rather you will need to work very hard just to get to the beginning to unlearn bad habits. I know you don't want to hear this but it's the truth and I'm just trying to help.

I wish you well in your search.

Dennis

QFT. Dennis' post applies to almost everything you would do in life, be it swimming, music lessons , golf etc. As much as you can , find a qualified instructor or you will just develop bad habits and spend sometimes years unlearning them.

[Level000]

I do understand your point, and thank you for being patient with and polite to me. Hopefully circumstances will change in the next few months and I will be able to reach an instructor. I will just have to bide my time until then it seems, but thank you for helping me anyway.