karate4Christ

Does anyone study this type of martial art? I am learning it in my school where we study American karate and are going to be incorporating this purely Japanese style into our training. I loved the few hours we spent on this and hope to learn more. Anyone know anything about it?

Ok. Now I am confused! I agree that we,as Christians should draw power only from God. However, God gave our bodies energy to survive. He can choose to cut that energy off anytime. It came from Him and is in His hands. That doesn't mean that we should not draw from the energy or Ki He placed in us does it? I mean, should we stop breathing oxegyn because it is not God? To use something and to worship it is two different things. I do have a problem with all Eastern religions and I would not use zen Buddhism or anything that goes along with it. But, can't anythng God made be either used for good OR bad? The Bible tells us to "meditate" on God's word night and day. Interperet that however you will.

I didn't mean to be making untrue generalizations. I am a begginer in MA and this is how it has been in my experience so far. Thanks for your input. I'll try to do some more research on this.

For anyone who is interested, I relized today in class what the difference is in the Japanese and Okinawan systems. In the Japanese system you always keep the same hand grip on your staff. In the Okinawan system,your hands rotate fingers up/fingers down at practically every turn and strike. Get what I'm saying?

ouch!!! Sounds like a good weapon to beat yourself up with. Can't wait to get one of those myself.

Thank you for making htat point. That is one thing I like about the movies. They showed a whole different side of martial arts. You can have your ninjas in black suits. I would take a film like Karate Kid any day.

Yes,the basic techinques are the same. However,the style and order in which they are executed is different. The kata is different too. We do some of that too. Thanks for the tip on ordering Jos. Is yours a real wooden one? I'm practicing with a padded one right now.

One of the first things my instructor told me when I first went in for my intro lesson was that the karate they teach is meant for real self defense. Many students at my school don't even participate in competition. The goal is to learn to defend yourself and others when in danger. I would not be a martial artist just for sport. I love martial arts because of their real purpose. Not just defense-they also impart major mental and spiritual benifits as you know.

I am learning how to grapple in my karate class. I am not a very big person amd I know I am going to have to build up my strength,but does anyone have any tips on how to keep hold of somone stronger than you while grappling?

I was inspired by the second movie in the trilogy. It became my favorite movie at age four,and I am now taking karate and love it. I will write out my story and e-mail it to the above address. Those great movies definately deserve a documentory!

My school is called USA Fitness Karate and it is really a mix of several different systems. The focus is to teach what's most effective for self defense on the streets.

Of course Christians can do martial arts. I am a Christian and my martial arts training is helping to further my faith. It is also helping me to develop character traits such as discipline and respect that are essential to Christian living. I am not sure how I feel about chi or zen or meditation,but I do know that martial arts can be as powerful a tool for Christ as it can be against Him. I would like to hear from some of you fellow Christians on board here how you interpret zen.

I figured that! Anyway,we started learning how to use them last night in karate class. We learned the difference in the Japanese system and the Okinawan system and we learned that they originated in China.

Thanks guys! I am glad to hear from all of you. Yes,there are Christian martial arts schools and I love the one I'm in. Nice bit of humor Delta1. Thanks.

I just started karate about a month ago and I have purchased a padded Jo staff. We haven't used it in class yet. Can someone tell me what they are used for?