I wouldn't go so far as saying they are useless...I think as a
technical reference the honbu tapes are excellent. How many
Sensei's out there can claim that they remember specific
hand/arm/leg/atemi/pivot/whatever positioning of all the techniques
in our syllabus? Not that many. As I said before
though, "supplemented learning" not primary. Now in comparison to
seminars...

Seminars are fantastic. They are a good place to meet other
aikidoka, measure your progress and skill level to other dojo's (yes
everyone does this), watch the capabilities of other's in
demonstration (and perhaps show a little), and catch a glimpse of a
visiting sensei and maybe even maybe get corrected on a certain
technique (or techniques) that you are having trouble with (even
though you had no idea you were doing it wrong). Well worth the
price of admission if you ask me.

The learning process at a seminar however is very similar to
supplemented learning with video. You either watch a video and then
practice the technique or you watch a visiting sensei and practice
the technique. Or even better, go buy the video of the seminar and
watch it and practice it...speaking of which, NIC!!! When are the
video's coming out from that seminar?

Daryl


>
>
> I must agree with Jim that tapes are interesting
> ways of seeing another perspective but are useless for
> learning Aikido. Only be working with a partner can
> you learn the feel necessary for our art. Books and
> tapes are only sources of support.
>
> Regards,
> John Hicks
>
>
>
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