karatepastor

There advantages to both ways. I used to teach Karate using a specific curriculum and test times. Because of a move and COVID, I took some time off teaching and will restart later this summer. I've spent the last year training 4-5 days a week in BJJ. We also have been sparring once a week at a friend's Tae Kwon Do school. I've learned a lot. The advantage in BJJ, in this regard, is that the instructor is free to promote in a kind of Budo Spirit of the Samurai way. The trouble is, when you do it by feel, there are unclear expectations. No tests means its subjective. That means it can feel arbitrary. The idea seems to be to nullify the focus on belts and stripes but for some people it can make it feel unfair. I'll be modifying my teaching style but still using a test and known timeline. I just won't feel as obligated to make my curriculum rigid. We're training to get better and master basics. But the testing won't be exactly 17 techniques demonstrated, that sort of thing.

I’ve done a lot of martial arts over the years, most extensively in boxing and karate, though with a little aikido. Now I’m doing Brazilian jujitsu 4 to 5 days a week with my sons. I was a United States Marine. I’ve messed around quite a bit in different kinds of self-defense techniques and martial arts. I don’t think you can effectively learn a grappling art on your own. I just don’t think it’s really feasible. You can however do pretty decently with some instructional videos and some heavy bag equipment, perhaps an online training curriculum in karate or boxing. Better to have a partner to spar with and do drills with, but if I were going to go out alone with instructional videos and anything I would certainly be doing karate from durable martial arts online or something like that and then practicing in a very disciplined way. But grappling? I just don’t think it’s practical at all to learn on your own, regardless of how good the online or video curriculum is. You could get down some fundamentals but it just would seem to me to be a really ineffective plan. Whereas, you could probably do pretty well for yourself if you’re very disciplined and a good learner with striking arts independently. I still wouldn’t recommend it as your primary means. You’d want to at least get together with some like minded practitioners to pressure tested occasionally.

I hear what you're saying because I've trained quite a lot of Pastors, and not just Pastors and their kids that I wasn't a member of their church, but Pastors and their kids that I WAS a member of their church. I once even had a satellite dojo AT one of the churches I was a member of until the Pastor moved away. I never sought them out, they came to me of their own volition, and I didn't teach all of them that came to me because, imho, they weren't serious in their tone. It was a pastor who got me doing karate specifically. He had amassed a really large group of homeschool kids, including 2 of mine. He said to me one day, “You we’re a Marne rght? Didn’t you say you did Aikido or something? You’rea boxer? Can you help me teach?” … he did a bunch of privates to get me up to a level in Tang Soo Do where I could help with the younger kids.. then I was hooked and took it further.

As a pastor, I am the only one in my church besides my own sons who train with me. So I kind of stick out like a sore thumb in that way as I use martial arts analogies and sermons occasionally. Then I have a secondary friend group that is made up mostly because of the martial arts training. There are a lot of really great spiritual analogies that come from the Martial Arts, though I try to use them someone sparingly because a lot of my congregation do not have a background in the Martial Arts.

I had a very seriously considered it. Because I was using a curriculum for a rather distinctly Christian Karate program, or a man has really created a system to use the Karate as a means of Bible memorization, while engaging the kids physical bodies. It was providing a good avenue for ministry in my churches, and simply wearing a black belt while training the kids through a colored belt system was working fine. However, as my own sons were advancing through the belt structure, they wanted to also advance into more technical and more intense martial arts training. I realized that I would like to do the same thing. So, we’re now training Brazilian jujitsu in addition to our karate practice and we restructured our curriculum and aligned with an organization that allows me to get Dan rank promotions, as well as for my sons and any future students that advanced to that level. So my point is this, I think it really depends on your purpose and your program. Like a lot of other people have said, if you’re a part of a system or a curriculum or an organization where to advance me on Shodan is a part of the system, well then advance beyond that rank. And if your purpose in teaching or practice or competition or whatever would benefit from advancing to higher degrees of black belt, or it meets some kind of personal goal and it’s legitimate and not ego driven, then do that. For me, how do I simply continue to teach that same curriculum, there would’ve been no need for anything other than simply saying I am the professor, I am the teacher, but as we have advanced our goals in karate have changed.

In my limited history with aikido that’s what I found. However, in their defense, many of those wrist techniques hold the real potential of breaking joints without compliance by uke.

Absolutely. Thanks! I'm connected 4-5 times a week, along with my sons with a GREAT BJJ Professor. In time, I'll keep my eyes open for a similar relationship with Karate specifically. Only so many hours in the day is the trouble! With all things, I agree completely, we should be a student, a practitioner, and a teacher if we want to fulfill all aspects of a journey.

I like your point here. I think most religious organizations, regardless of what their particulars are, believe in some sort of connection between taking care of the gifts that we are given. I can say with certainty that the major world religions do, at the very least. If our bodies and our time here is a gift, then we we should take steps to care for these things and keep them healthy. That's some good perspective you're bringing to the MA scene in your area. For Sure.

I don't know if this is just my perception because of where I live, but it feels like most of the ones I encounter are faith-based in some form. When I was looking for a new dojo earlier this year, 3 of the 4 that I considered where faith-based. I ended up choosing the one that wasn't because it had the most similarities with what I already knew. I think more-and-more faith-driven people are realizing the similarities in the discipline that is typically called for in both martial arts and having faith and are therefore coming to martial arts with the goal of incorporating that devotion into their lives.I think you’re right. I know for me, I feel like martial arts training at the church or when Christians are teaching martial arts and not hiding the fact that they are a person of faith, I feel like in these contacts we can bridge day gap, what I believe it to be a really wide gap, among many Christians between their faith practice in the mind body spirit connection. All throughout the New Testament, and especially in Paul’s writings, we see constant reference both with regard to spiritual warfare as analogous to real warfare, and analogies which I think are more direct than our often given credit for, between disciplining the body and the discipline of faith.

I’ll check it out. I know he was one of the Power Rangers!

Welcome to KF, karatepastor, glad that you're here!! Thank you! I’m glad to be here.

All good points. A lot of variables. Difficult to say a black and white answer on this. I’m heavily engaged in BJJ. I can’t imagine learning Jui Jitsu online. With the exception of the Gracie combative belt with a good training partner. I’ve learned a lot of Karate and other arts in person class. But I think you can do a lot in an online format, again entirely depends on the person, the art, and the purpose of the learning. For example in my thinking: Jiu Jitsu difficult. Karate depends. Tai Chi yes.

Exactly. Especially in Jui Jitsu.

Demura Sensei is a good instructor. Unfortunately, he has been going through alot of health issues over the last few years. I ment to mention something you may have already seen. It is a documentary called (I think) "The Real Miyagi". Either Netflix or Amazon Prime has it if I remember correctly. It is a nicely done documentary on Demura Sensei and his history. Would be of special interest to you and your boys and good general viewing for anyone interested in the martial arts. We’ve watched it! In fact, we’ve watched everything we could find on him in the process of choosing a curriculum to emphasize in our school and personal karate training. I just contacted his organization to register through zoom for a seminar with him and some other masters later this month.

Well...define how you are using the term kumite please... Do you mean open style karate tournaments where all different types of styles compete (usually "fighting" or "sparring" for points, weapons kata and empty handed katas) or more traditional "fighting". Normally, if you are speaking of open style tournaments, then they are typically state or regional based. For instance, when I lived in TX, the big "organization" then was the AOK or Amatuer Organization of Karate. I would reach out to some local or semi-local martial arts schools and supply stores (physical supply stores). The latter, in particular, usually has flyer information on all sorts of tournaments. You should be able to lock something like that up. By the same token, if you are looking for a more traditional type of kumite, do a web search for your style or similar ones and give them a call. I am sure most of them would love to be able to pass along any information. Lastly, I would look to asking these similar schools if they would be interested in creating a more informal type of inter-school competition. This was something that we were able to do fairly successful in TX. Meaning, your school meets with another to compete against one another in a rules based and FRIENDLY (sometimes this has to be explained, re-explained and then explained again! LOL) competition. Have some fun with it and good luck! Yes Sir. Point tournaments is exactly what I was referring to. I’ll do exactly as you’ve suggested. I found one school that had an annual meet up not terribly far away but they put it on hold for Covid. I’ll reach out to some others as you suggested.

Another closely related question: As an independent Karate school, where do I find or connect with Kumite competitions? My oldest son (16) wants to try his hand at competition. I'm uncertain what organizations, circuits, meet up exist where he could do so. He's curious how our training would stack up in competition. We both plan to compete in BJJ next spring but I'm uncertain where to begin to find the right options for him in Karate.

Will do! And thank you. I have run into a few people who don't comprehend the connection. However, most church members over the years have seen my approach as unique and welcome as it brings kids through the doors in ways they otherwise wouldn't have come through. I also use the martial arts (as the Apostle did...) as a metaphor for spiritual warfare and the difficulty of life on occasion in sermons. It sort of opens people's minds a bit and mostly they seem to appreciate it. I'll take a look at your recommendation for sure. I reached out to Fumio Demura directly today as well. Though associating with an organization I've gained access to some really high level Grand Masters with completely legit credentials. Something I really wanted. I'm going to start registering for seminars, Demura is guest speaker at one later this month that I found on his website that I'm thinking about dong through zoom. (its in California and I'm in Florida!) Our Brazilian Jui Jitsu Professor locally is a top level guy with a great down to earth attitude. He's a real God send. Yeah, for sure my kids are getting so much character development and confidence out of our training. It is something we do together and its a great thing for our family. With our relocation to Florida and new affiliation I let them help me rename our Karate school and choose the Kata and Technique curriculum to focus our training upon. I bring a lot of boxing training as well but it meshes right into Karate. Thanks again!

Greetings! I have a question as to advice for resources. I'm also curious how unique my Karate journey actually is. Can others relate? I began in the martial arts as a USABF Amateur Boxer in middle and highschool. I had 20 Amateur fights, won some lost some, was nationally competitive by the end of my "career." Joined the Marine Corps right out of high school. I continued to train boxing but, after starting to train with a higher level coach in Southern California, decided I didn't want to get punched in the face any more! I did various Martial Arts training during 8 years USMC. (LINE / MCMAP) Trained with friends from various arts on the side. Then I spent two years in the Army National Guard. I trained Aikido on and off during that time. Loved the Aikido lifestyle but didn't go very far in it. Questioned its efficacy as a self-defense art. Always had a heavy bag and used boxing training for exercise. Then about 6 years ago my sons wanted to do Karate. They had a year of Tae Kwon Do. I had thought about training with them in TKD but frankly their instructor was arrogant and didn't want to interact with him any more than needed. When they started Karate 6 years ago, Tang Soo Do, the teacher, had amassed a really large class from the homeschool community we were a part of then. He asked me to stay for classes and help him teach. I told him I had some martial arts background not specifically Karate. So, I joined the class. We spent a year with him. A legit 7th Dan in TSD and ranked in Judo and other arts. Older man. I also did a bunch of privates with him and he advanced through several belts. I helped him with the class. Then, I parted ways with him after, and I'll never comprehend why he did this, he started implying he had been a Navy SEAL and embellishing fight stories to me. I checked him out, he had not been a SEAL. I called him on it and he played the victim, although tacitly admitting to his lies. He disbanded that class. I was left as the guy who ruined the homeschool Karate program.... ughhhhh. As a Marine, I just couldn't ignore his stolen valor talk. So, I decided I'd create a program. I'm a Pastor. I considered creating a self-defense system with a heavy emphasis on character development. In researching ideas for curriculum, I found a man who had done just that. So, I did some zoom privates and had several conversations with him and he taught me the fundamentals of his system and he gave me full access to his curriculum and a 1st Dan in it. I gathered many of those kids and we had a great class for another year or so. I relocated to another church and spend a few years teaching the same program with a new group of kids. All the while I've brought my 3 sons (9, 13,16) along the journey with me. We train together. We read and watch videos together. The older boys help with classes. COVID affected us pretty strongly. I relocated a few months ago to SW Florida. My sons and I are training BJJ 4-5 times a week at a local academy with a great professor. I want to add grappling to our system. We train 1 day a week "tightening up" our curriculum. The Christian Karate system I was using was a blend of Karate styles from the background of its creator. We're using curriculum and Kata from Shito-Ryu as we prepare to relaunch our Karate school at my church here next summer. I've joined and accredited my 1st Dan with a reputable organization that can award future belts and offers annual seminars and connection with highly respected martial artists. We'll be attending next year's annual seminar and I'll be going through their instructor course at the annual meeting. Moving forward, I feel like we're on a good path. Questions: 1. Am I unique in this winding journey? Do others here have similar or at least comparable stories? 2. I'm using a lot of videos and practice with my sons to tighten up our curriculum. LOTS of resources for Shito-Ryu Kata, for example, on YouTube, I own DVD curriculum like that from Fumio Demura, several books like "From Beginner to Black" belt to judge our technique against and make adjustments. 3. Based on this, any recommendations or thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Welcome to KF, karatepastor, glad that you're here!! Thank you!

I know precious little of the history of Korean Martial Arts but, having started my Karate journey under a 7th Dan Tang Soo Do, then transitioning to a broader Karate training and now teaching and focusing my curriculum in Shito-Ryu, the basic colored belt kata couldn’t be more similar. Anecdotally, by my experience, the Japanese influence on Tang-Soo-Do couldn’t be more obvious.