[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by TenTigers

which foot would you rather shoot yourself in?
The only way to truly learn Gung-Fu is through direct transmission, hands-on, from Sifu to student.
However, a Martial Artist with alot of experience, can pick up certain things from videos, and with a good training partner, develop his skill. This would occur mostly if the video is in a related style. For example, I train in Shuai-Jiao, throwing and grappling, and I have done some wrestling, and Hakko-Ryu Jiu-Jutsu. I can pick up alot of techniques from grappling, or BJJ dvd's. Since I have trained in the long form of Yang Tai-Chi, I can pick up other Yang forms as well.
As far as learning from a poor teacher is concerned, if you were a rank beginner, you could develop some really bad habits, and ideas. I've trained under some excellent teachers, and some horrible ones as well. I have learned from both. In my own teaching, I use many of the teaching methods of my good teachers, and try not to make the mistakes of my poor ones. The poor ones taught me what NOT to do.

Good post - I'll give you a +rep. (Now you have two, the second from me)

Good or bad instruction does add to learning and learning adds to expereince.