Freedom School Online Studies
WHAT IS INCLUDED in ONLINE STUDIES:
Freedom School Online Studies gives you access to various video feedback based martial arts courses AND a Google drive archive of many recorded Zoom classes and martial workouts.
Preview the courses on offer in ONLINE COURSES.
HOW TO JOIN:
Apply to join by writing an introductory email to Sensei Hans, through CONTACT or to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The email should contain where you are from, what the main goals with your studies are and your previous martial experience, and which Membership Option you choose.
When Sensei Hans responds with your permission to join, he will also supply the appropriate banking or Paypal details for the Membership Option of your choice.
Then join by making the payment for your Membership Option and notify us of your payment.
We respond by sending you a temporary username and password for logging in to the online school, and email invites for our two Google Drive Archives. You can then log in, see your initial video material and customize your username, password, and enter your personal particulars under YOUR PROFILE on the site.
You are then an active member for the duration of your subscription. Subscriptions can be renewed.
COST and MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
6 Month Online Membership - $70 or 70 Euros or R1 400 (ZAR for SA citizens)
12 Month Online Membership - $115 or 115 Euros or R2 300 (ZAR for SA citizens)
12 Month Regular Student Membership (for people who train with Hans Menck IN PERSON only) - $35 or R700
HOW DOES THE ONLINE TRAINING WORK?
Your Online Membership gives you access the starter module videos of each ONLINE COURSE we offer. You can start with as many courses as you want. The videos are must be followed online and cannot be dowloaded. They are meant to be followed regularly. If you JOIN, you will find the videos under YOUR PROFILE on this website.
If you want to progress in any course and get access to the next videos you have to send us a feedback video of yourself performing every exercise in the module, just once. Send the video on Whatsapp, or upload it to youtube or Vimeo and send a link. We will then evaluate your video and give you feedback, and if your movements are up to standard, we give you access to the next module videos in the course. And so the process repeats. You can study as many courses as you want and learn at your own pace. The videos are mostly form to be followed and not much explanation.
Please note that the only way you can get value out of your membership is by sending us regular feedback videos. If you do not train regularly, it has no value.
Google Drive Archive: Your Online Membership also gives you access to our Google Drive Archive videos. The instructional material included in the Google Drive consists of many recorded Zoom classes, meant to be followed on-screen. Google Drive classes are mostly in Swimming Dragon Taiyi, Gongfu, Stick skills, Capoeira, Baguazhang and general Freedom School training. Your google drive access remains active as long as your membership is active.
How to give online feedback?
1. Our instructional videos contain sets of exercises that are explained in some detail. You need to practice all these exercises, paying as much attention to detail as possible
2. If you want feedback or advice on any exercise you can contact us and send us a video of yourself doing the exercise. Keep it short to save time units. Submit videos via Whatsapp (preferred), email, or upload to youtube or vimeo. Special attention feedback can be given by live evaluation on ZOOM (see ZOOM Training)
3. When you feel you are comfortable with the exercises you can submit an evaluation video
4. In an evaluation video you have to perform all the exercises of the module clearly, just once if possible, not too many repetitions, one clear repetition will be enough. This saves us time in evaluation.
5. Submit the video and gain feedback (via email or skype) and if the instructor decides you are ready, you get access to the next level module.
6. You can use this process for any or all of our online courses
7. We wish you good luck and look forward to assist you in your studies.
GRADING and CERTIFICATION
Online Students who complete a certain course to the standard deemed necessary by Sensei Hans Menck will have his permission to teach and pass on that specific discipline. The online student's name will be added on a teaching permission database on this website. No online student has reached this level yet, but if one does, we can discuss the printing or creation of a certificate verifying the above. The certificate may cost something but we can discuss that when the time comes.
BLACK BELTS. Black belts are a modern invention of the previous century in Japanese martial arts and have been adopted now in the martial arts of many other cultures. Not all arts have black belts, for instance you cannot have a black belt in capoeira or tai chi. If you have the Freedom School's permission to teach a discipline it implies that you have a black belt level of skill in that discipline only. This means you have to know form and function, how to use, apply in a fight situation.
To be graded to Freedom School Black Belt by Hans Menck the student will have to be a well rounded martial artist, able to display an understanding of the form, health and self defense aspects of an art or a range of arts. Ordinarily it takes about 5 years of regular training for someone to reach that level, but people with previous experience or natural ability or very hard practise can progress much faster. No online student has reached this level in their training, but if one comes through the modules and can display the discipline to the necessary standard, the student can be graded and certified as a Freedom School black belt in a certain discipline or range of disciplines. Once again this and the possible costs to cover our time and possible expenses can be discussed when the situation arises. Black belts are just a sign of a skill and experience level. They are completely meaningless if they are not backed up by skill. Sensei Hans personally does not care too much about rank, knowing to many highly ranked martial artists who cannot fight, and too many talented beginners who stopped training once they achieved their goal: a belt on the wall.
