That’s perfectly fine. My first plant was a manifold and I had 0 experience going in. You don’t have to use one training technique over the other, can mix them and find what works for you.
The supercropping that @Cooper mentioned is also very handy when bending your stalks/stems down as it makes then flexible and pliable for training without snapping off.
Can use anything from dowels to chopsticks for keeping everything lvl. I like to use coated bonsai wire and binder clips to attach to the bag once plants get big enough.
First grow: The Mandaweedian Manifold!
Currently getting similar training: Currently in Veg tent!