Grace Martial Arts Fellowship began in 1990, went online with a website in 1995 and began publishing newsletters to the Christian martial arts community in 1998.
Because of the quality of information found in those early newsletter articles and the fact they are no longer available online, we’ve decided to re-publish many of them in the coming weeks and months. Our hope is that a new generation of Christian martial artists will be blessed by the wisdom of those who were on the path before them.
GMAF NEWSLETTER
September – October 2003
Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ.
Thoughts from the Master
“It is finished.”
Jesus Christ
“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greek’s foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
The Apostle Paul
Wisdom Notes
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!” Proverbs
“The Three Nails”
by
Mark McGee
GMAF Director
A strong stance is fundamental to quality martial arts. Stance is what roots us to the ground and helps us withstand an attack. The ability to move quickly from one strong stance to another helps us evade and redirect an opponent’s energy and force. Our first lessons in martial arts are how to stand strong and move from stance to stance, strength to strength.
One rooting technique in the martial arts is called The Three Nails. The nails are imaginary but the rooting is real. One nail comes from the bottom of the heel of each foot. The second nail is on the outside bottom of the foot just below the small toe. The third nail comes from the inside bottom of the foot just below the big toe (ball of the foot). We “nail” our feet to the ground by pushing our weight to those three points at the bottom of our feet and gripping the ground with our toes. The process of “nailing” our feet to the ground moves more of the body’s weight to the outside third of the foot and rounds the instep of the foot and the legs. The inside of our foot is round and coiled while the weight of the body is distributed evenly across the bottom of the outside of our feet from the heel across the supporting bones of the outside of the foot through the toes to ball of the foot. We are rooted and grounded in our stance and prepared to receive force from any direction and redirect that force at will.
Our spiritual life is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ. We are spiritually strong through His Strength. We are rooted in His Death and Resurrection. Christ died for us on the Cross. He is our Sacrifice. His Blood is the payment for our sins. Three Nails held His Body on the Cross until He died so we might have God’s forgiveness and life everlasting.
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” Luke 23:33
“The other disciples therefore said unto him [Thomas], We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25
How important is Christ’s Death to every human on Earth?
“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:5-7
When I think of Christ on the Cross, I think of my old man dying with Him so “the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” We are freed from the bondage of sin. We have hope because Christ was nailed to the Cross of Calvary!
Can we have a message of hope that does not include the Cross and the nails? Absolutely not!
“For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:22-24
Christian martial arts teachers have two wonderful messages to share with their students. One message is how to position oneself properly for self defense; a message that will keep us safe for a lifetime. The other message is the position of being “in Christ”; a message that will keep us safe for eternity.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
“SENSEI”
By Craig Hamm
Over the years, I have trained with many instructors and have made many friends, but some of the best friends have been my instructors. Why? Well, let’s look at some of the reasons behind this. When you first start in the martial arts whether it is Karate, TaeKwonDo, Hapkido, Jujitsu, Kung Fu or whatever style, you look toward the instructor as someone you wish to emulate in your heart and in your art.
Secondly, during the time of your training, you put your trust in your instructors for their knowledge and ability to teach you the proper techniques without injuries.
Thirdly, their guidance during training sessions are the lessons you use throughout your daily life. Some instructors are very good at relating the martial arts to daily life while others relate the martial arts and God’s words in teaching together exceptionally well.
I have trained with instructors such as Kang Rhee, Tony Chester, Joseph Lumpkin, Daryl Covington, Kwang Sik Myung, Mike Stone, Brad Whitlow, Larry Ingle, Mike Frazier, Jeff Speakman, and Mark Barlow who have made impressions on my thoughts and teachings, but only a few have made impressions on my way of life. Some instructors change the way you look at the martial arts in a physical teaching aspect while others change the way you look at the mental teaching aspects. To me, the most important outlook on the martial arts is the spiritual aspect, which has come to light for me over the last 5 to 6 years. No matter how much you learn or do in the martial arts, all of the martial arts instructors have God to thank for their lives and accomplishments. I thank God for the ability to teach and pass on the knowledge of God’s word through the martial arts.
A Sensei is not just one who teaches you martial arts, coaches you at tournaments, and picks you up off the mat; they are the ones who care about you and your family, your life, and your well-being, everyday. Sensei is the one you can call and discuss things you couldn’t with anyone else. Sensei is the one you spend time with when others are out doing things they shouldn’t. Sensei is the one you consider a true friend and not just an acquaintance who trained with you for a short period of time before you moved on to someone or something different. I have trained in many arts but even though I may not train with some of the instructors now that I did coming up through the ranks, I still hold them as dear friends.
As a Sensei you are looked upon as a respectable, kind, gentle, and knowledgeable individual and everyone watches every move in your daily walk in life. By walking in Christ’s light and trying to lead a Christian life, you set examples for those who are around and look up to you.
To sum it all up, I believe we the Sensei have an obligation to each and every student as role models, to set examples and to build the children of today for they will be the leaders in the next generation when we are old and gray.
Taken from ENCOUNTER THE WARRIOR’s HEART (with permission from the author)
Biblical Health Principles
by
Steve Shober
MS, MH, DNM
Biblical Health Ministries
Healthy Cultures and Religion Studies
It has been found that the nutritional “sins” of the parents are visited upon future generations through: a weak start in life, allergies, poor health, a compromised immune system, a mindset toward a wrong lifestyle, inherited weaknesses … Some cultures have generations of good nutrition with correspondingly good health. These cultures have similar eating and living patterns and enjoy nearly disease-free lives and great longevity. These cultures live a very natural lifestyle and eat simple, inexpensive foods – – often called the peasant diet.
The healthy cultures that have been studied are the: Vilcambambas of Ecuador, Hunza of Kashmir, traditional Bulgarians, Abzekhastan of Georgia, Yucatan natives, Greek from Crete, certain Chinese and Japanese groups. All of these cultures have these dietary factors in common: plant-based, high fiber (over 34 grams/day), high complex carbohydrates (not simple sugars), calcium intake only half of that in the USA but no osteoporosis, low protein (high protein means a loss of calcium from bones), small amounts of dairy (generally fermented, e.g. yogurt), fish once a week (if available), meat only on occasion, low fat intake (less than 20%).
All of these cultures work outside, are moderate eaters, are happy, walk a lot, get up/down with the sun, are not envious of others, the old are respected and deemed useful, and use whole-virgin vegetable oils and whole grains. As such cultures move from poverty to affluence, the modern delicacies bring the diseases of civilization.
Religion Studies
A Christian pastor studied the health of various Jewish and Christian religions. The religions which practice more natural lifestyles (teachings on diet and care of the body, in varying degrees against the use of coffee, tea, tobacco, port, pharmaceutical drugs, soda, ….) fare the best, regardless of doctrinal correctness. Statistics show they have less cancer, healthier lives and live six years longer than the average American. Those groups which do not have dietary teachings often view sickness as some kind of judgment by God and accept the view that they are powerless to change their fate. This latter group does not have as good health as those who adhere to natural diets. He concluded that the religious which practice dietary principles closely aligned with the Word of God have better health and longer lives.
It is possible, in fact God honoring, to be Scripturally sound in doctrine and to adopt a life style that is in accordance with God’s principles, thus enjoying His blessings on our body, soul and spirit. (Goands Innomore)
The Truth About Black Belts
By
Karl William Marx Sr.
Black Belts in Martial arts are supposed to be great role models for the younger generation. There appears to be some kind of problem with this definitions results. To many at most are not worthy of even being a green belt. Most have a fair to middlen technical ability, however their Morals leave a lot to be desired. The rank Happy attitude of most black belts is that of an egocentric, prideful, self-serving jerks. Me too I was one myself before I learned what a real MAN is supposed to be. Ha! and I had to learn that from the Holy Scriptures in the Bible. Proverbs is jammed packed full of God’s instructions on the how’s, what’s, and who’s. There is a secular old saying also that says, “It’s Not the belt that makes the man/woman, but the man/woman who makes the belt.” Former President Kennedy told us correctly when he says not what your country can do for you, rather ask what you can do for your country.” Ranks and titles are not what we as Americans should be looking for. We should be practicing to be God fearing, Christ loving, Holy Spirit following, roll models for the youth of this World. We are Americans, and if we are going to make up an American version of self-defense, then we should STOP using Oriental languages, and seeking Oriental acceptance. So many so called American styles are really Bogus backgrounds, Why? You don’t need a long oriental heritage to prove your good. Everyone has the right to create their own Karate or other martial Art, lets just stop deceiving ourselves and especially others by using all this oriental language and names, or titles. Sensei, this or Soke that, Hanshi who? Or Koishi somebody. Lets just be our selves and not pretend to be someone else. We who are not oriental have no business attempting to fool innocent students or the media with statements that some great grand master chose us over a thousand Orientals students he has taught for years, and gave us the inheritance of his style. That is really a lame lie in most cases. Even our Lord Jesus Christ, although He was the King of the Jews, did not go around wearing His title on his head in the form of a Golden crown. Hay I am guilty of doing the same things I telling you Not to do. I been there, done that stuff. Well, enough for today. I was up until 4:30 this morning writing this, Ha! when I get on a roll I go! Until later, please send in YOUR views, agree or disagree.
In Christ I remain
Dr. Karl W. Marx
WILLPOWER IS REAL POWER!
By Richard Hackworth
One of the keys to a school’s success is the personal success of the students. A key to personal student success is willpower. “One of my students has been extremely successful in sticking to his martial arts training program,” my associate Kevin Huston muses. “He has so much determination; he keeps up his attendance and is making good progress. Another student has come to see me a few times, but is always making excuses. I can’t help comparing them. The two men are similar in so many ways, but their biggest difference is commitment. You could also call it willpower, in the martial arts training success, as with success in any area of life.”
As the manager of the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies in Ocoee, Florida, Huston says: “Willpower creates Real Power! The power to do, the power to be, the power to achieve. I just wish I knew how to give it to everyone.”
Call it what you want –commitment, determination, willpower or self-control– you know it varies widely from person to person. It interacts with many factors, and contributes greatly to a person’s success when it comes to lifestyle change. Becoming a martial artist is a major lifestyle change. This is one of the largest hurdles in martial arts school success. Transforming the “curious about martial arts students” into “serious about martial arts students” is an enormous challenge. Helping people improve their willpower creates success on both sides, for the student and for the school. I found that my own personal teaching success improved when I became a better personal motivator.
Developing the Nature of Self-Control
Self-control refers to the control exerted by the self over thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Self-control is involved in making decisions and choices, initiating and inhibiting behavior, and making and carrying out plans. We use self-control when we forgo immediate pleasure (i.e., decide not to eat dessert) in order to obtain future benefits (like better health). Self-control allows us to examine and change habitual behavior. Hence, whenever we attempt to help students implement behavior-change programs, students’ efforts at self-control help to determine their likelihood of success.
Some psychologists who study self-control believe it is a limited resource. In other words, each person has a finite amount of psychic energy available for the purposes of self-control.
This notion of limitation helps explain why people who train early in the day or in a private class setting are most likely to be successful; they have not yet expended time and energy overcoming the barriers that inevitably develop during the day. This concept of limitation also explains why dieters are most likely to overeat in the evening. After spending all day exerting self-control to resist temptation, their resolve wears down by the end of the day. I was experiencing some sluggish feelings in the evening myself and found that by scheduling more of my private training clients in the mornings and before lunch I was able to feel better. My success became their success.
Daily life stress can reduce energy for self-control. Self-control energy is expended more quickly when you are under stress, since you use self-control when you adapt to stress. You expend energy to change your behavior, thoughts and emotions. Coping with stress can leave you emotionally exhausted, and without the energy to get to your workout, or to resist the temptation to smoke or overeat. In fact, stress is the most common reason people slip up in their attempts to overcome addictions or change other habits. Part of the explanation for this may be that the demands placed upon these stressed-out people have exceeded their supply of self-control energy.
In addition to using up energy, stress also causes negative emotions, like anger and sadness. When people experience negative feelings, they look for ways to feel better. The need to overcome distress is perceived as more important than behaving in ways that may result in future benefits. So if you feel bad and you think eating some chocolate cake will make you feel better, you will eat the cake, even though you want to lose weight. Self-control can increase student success.
Martial arts professionals are often guilty of designing training programs that look great on paper, but don’t match the amount of energy students are capable or willing to expend. This is partly because students don’t always understand what they can realistically take on, and they underestimate the time and energy a martial arts program will require. To improve the success of your students, try to help them maximize their motivation and self-control, while reducing the self-control required by their martial arts program, by using the following suggestions.
Acknowledge that daily training requires time and energy. People who mentally prepare for the challenge of taking on a program of daily training are better able to summon the self-control required to make their programs work. Rather than telling students that martial arts classes are easy and effortless, prepare them for the work, as well as the rewards. This allows you to teach the higher standards you want without losing students with weak willpower in the early stages of their training.
Let students know they must make their martial arts training a priority. After all, it could someday save their life. Unless people see daily martial arts training as a priority, other commitments will consume their time and energy. Proper martial arts training can not only provide great self-defense techniques, but can also replace their need for any other type of fitness training. I have found that many of the adult men in our program do it mostly for the exercise. That way they avoid the macho ego attitude at the gym where people look at you funny if you are lifting everything on the rack. Martial arts training allow them to progress at their own speed and the belt rank system allows them to compare their personal progress with their time in training and not against the other students in the room.
Help students make martial arts a habit. Once martial arts training become a habit or enjoyable routine, little self-control is required. Use the force of habit to increase martial arts training success in your students. My Hapkido Grand Master, Yong Ki Song calls martial arts training an addiction to better health and safety. Recommend training early in the day. Research shows that people who do any form of training or exercise first thing in the morning have the best adherence. Their goals have been accomplished before other demands eat up their time and wear away their self-control energy supply. After all, why do you think those millions of people gather in public parks in China to practice Tai Chi early in the morning? Because most of them are too tired from daily work and stress to come back for the lunchtime class!
Increase martial arts self-confidence with daily success. A few words of encouragement go a long way. As students become more confident in their abilities to stick to a long-term martial arts training program, they will try harder to do so when obstacles arise. Start students off with modest demands that they will really accomplish. One of my first students told me after receiving her Black Belt she really had doubts about herself and did not plan to come back after the first class as a white belt. When she received a personal note from me telling her what a great job she did on her first day, she couldn’t help but come back. She was really excited to find out the teacher thought she had done well! She kept coming for seven more years.
Help students use training to reduce stress. Just as people can learn to overeat to reduce stress, they can also learn to train to reduce stress. Educate students about the stress-reduction benefits of martial arts training. Martial arts training does three great things: it reduces stress, creates incentives to train and increases self-control energy. Not to mention the many benefits of a total mind, body and spiritual experience that come from true martial arts training.
Encourage social support. Less self-control is needed when control is supplemented by encouragement from others. Recommend that students get a close friend or family member to join class with them. Help students set up environments and situations that require the least amount of self-control. If students seem uncertain about their class environment, help them feel welcome and at home. Remember, the family that kicks together, sticks together!
HARMONIZING BREATH AND MOVEMENT IN KATA
by
Ron J. Brookshire Jr.
We all wander the paths of blindness at times yet there are torches of wisdom all around us to light the way and show us the path before us. For the Christian our guide is the Bible and the life of Christ but many times we only reach a small portion of our potential witness and development for our Savior because we miss and ignore the means to acquire knowledge. We fail to read the Bible and seldom perform indepth study which we can apply to our life. In kata their are correct steps to learning also that often we do not follow either. Careful attention and awareness must be maintained in order to truly learn and reach our potential.
The best way to learn is to study the example and path of the Master. In kata, we look at the masters who preformed kata…. they became the kata….their kata was alive. In Christ, He lived his message in His teachings and His actions as a constant example for us. One key to gaining skill is understanding the principles, applying them, visualizing what is occurring and our goal, and using the mind to direct our intent and energy into our efforts or techniques. Skills must be carefully developed and honed over time to attempt to follow the Master’s example and to be of benefit.
In kata, there are skills to recover and apply to our training. Incorrect coordination of breath with body movements, causes conflicts to occur that rob us of the true natural power in the kata at various levels of executing techniques (ie. stability, deflecting or redirecting, or striking). In our Christian walk, the example we are showing also affects the effectiveness of our witness.
In Goju, Sanchin claimed to house the knowledge of this coordination and teach basic breathing principles and skills. It can be viewed as a template for teaching a developmental process for all kata. The Bible is our means of finding the information and knowing our Lord just as a kata allows us to gain the knowledge of past teachers.
The skills of kata seem lost today as one enters into the “real time” of a confrontation. Breathing does not necessarily follow the pattern in kata as is commonly taught, but should follow the mind and intention of the one performing it. This is when the kata truly becomes “ours”. The Scripture will also guide us and as we hide its words in our heart we will also make it “ours”.
There are natural steps which one must follow in performing kata that will fuse the movements and breath to become one with the intent of the practitioner. Constant prayer and study of God’s Word also fuses knowledge and strength in our Savior.
There are four main steps whether it be growing in the Christian walk or the study of kata:
1. Total separation
2. Partial separation
3. Unified separation
4. Total harmonization
Focusing on the kata as an example, Steps 1-3 each have two sides (Yin and yang theory) which is governed by a division between the upper body and the lower body, traditionally representative of Heaven and Earth. The 4th step is the culmination of knowledge of the prior three steps, which brings about the development of true technique and represents a way to unify our mind, body, spirit and intent through the actions of kata movements.
Total separation involves complete separation between the movements of the lower body and the upper body. Breath is coordinated with each individual movement whether it be hand movement or foot movement. In the earth version, foot movements always occur first then the hand movements are performed. In the heaven version, the hand movement occur first then the foot movement is performed. This is the slowest of the 3 steps because breath is performed in both areas with the mind focused on that area only but totally separated from the other. This is similar to the time prior to our trusting Christ in salvation.
Partial separation narrows the time between the responses of the lower and the upper body. The earth version has the breath following the footwork only and the hand movements occur immediately after with no breath occurring. The heaven version has the breath to coordinate with the hand movements and the footwork follows immediately with no breath occurring. One will notice movements starting to combine with in and out breaths but they still remain separated. The mind is still separated and the area focused on in breathing has the power and the other has speed. This is similar to when we are first saved but still dominated in mind by our past lives.
Unified separation involves the upper and lower body movements occurring at the same time but breathing is focused on only one area. In the earth version the focus is on the feet and in the heaven version the focus is on the hands. Movements are simultaneous but the breath is only focused on one aspect of the movement. The mind begins to focus on the intent with power and speed and technique begins to truly develop.This is similar to when we are drawing closer to Christ and letting go of our past to serve Him and keep Him as our focus.
During performance of each of these variations (6 total) of doing the kata, certain bunkai applications will become apparent for individual movements based on this focused coordination of breath.
Subtle variations created in timing will be noted at the initial level which can be further enhanced later by slightly altering the breathing pattern. This is known as Altering of Breath Duration. It is an advanced method where timing is further coordinated with breath through this separation of body movement and hand actions (heaven and earth). There are Five variations which are applied to the above steps.
a) long inhale, long exhale
b) short inhale, long exhale
c) long inhale, short exhale
d) short inhale, short exhale
e) no breath, just action
*NOTE*–(e) can occur with all movement in creating openings or positioning ones self prior to directing of energy with the breath.
Tension and relaxation are important to mention at this point as this helps to achieve proper grounding and proper directional flow of energy in technique. It can follow:
1. breathing … (in = tension, out = relaxation) or (in = relax, out = tension)
2. stepping… (relax while stepping, tense in stance)
3. sides of body… (tense right side while relaxing left and vice versa)
4. pulling/pushing actions… (pull = tense, push = relax) or (pull = relax, push = tense)
5. inside/outside actions… (inside = tense, outside = relax) or (inside = relax, outside = tense)
This is vital to understanding energy fluctuation and where to place the mind during the action. Sanchin and Tensho are particularly well suited to practicing these aspects although they occur in every kata.
Total harmonization is where one becomes free. The focus is no longer attached to either movement (upper or lower body). The mind is able to focus on nothing but the concepts of doing what one envisions in their mind. The breathing harmonizes naturally with the actions of these visions and is no longer bound by either hand or foot and a timing is created that can fluctuate with the will or intention of the individual.
In our Christian life, total harmonization occurs the closer we become to the Lord. The more He is actually our Master the more this becomes evident not only to ourselves but also to others. This only occurs with much dedication and persistence.
**The key to achieving this knowledge is slow continuous purposeful training with intent in all that is done.”
This “IS” the true nature of what Sanchin was to teach in this aspect. A template of 6 steps used to free the mind and harmonize breathing, motion, and intent. A spirit where the reflexive animal nature rules controlled by the will of the individual.
It also is a good parallel to the Christian life.
STEPS IN LEARNING AND TEACHING IN KATA
BASICS
Phase 1.0 : Technique and pattern
1.One must learn the basic movements:
a) stances to be used during the kata.
b) hand motions to be used during the kata.
c) punches, kicks, and other particulars used during the kata.
d) learn and apply the breathing principles of technique.
2.One must learn the lower body pattern of the kata.
3.One must learn the upper body pattern of the kata.
4.One must learn the pattern of the kata (upper and lower body pattern combined).
TOTAL SEPARATION
Phase 2.1 : Earth Version — Breathing pattern # 1
1.One must learn to separate lower body from upper body
2.One must coordinate breath with movement then technique.
3.One must analyze and refine till the correct pattern is obtained and realized.
4.One must progress through the *four phases: mind, body, spirit, and unity.
Phase 2.2 : Heaven Version — Breathing pattern # 2
1.One must learn to separate upper body from lower body
2.One must coordinate breath with technique then movement.
3.One must analyze and refine till the correct pattern is obtained and realized.
4.One must progress through the four phases: mind, body, spirit, and unity.
PARTIAL SEPARATION
Phase 3.1 : Earth Version — Breathing pattern # 3
1.One must learn to separate lower body from upper body
2.One must coordinate breath with movement then technique.
3.One must analyze and refine till the correct pattern is obtained and realized.
4.One must progress through the four phases: mind, body, spirit, and unity.
Phase 3.2 : Heaven Version — Breathing pattern # 4
1.One must learn to separate upper body from lower body
2.One must coordinate breath with technique then movement.
3.One must analyze and refine till the correct pattern is obtained and realized.
4.One must progress through the four phases: mind, body, spirit, and unity.
UNIFIED SEPARATION
Phase 4.1 : Earth Version — Breathing pattern # 5
1.One must learn to perform and coordinate lower body with upper body.
2.One must coordinate breath with the lower body movement only.
3.One must analyze and refine till the correct pattern is obtained and realized.
4.One must progress through the four phases: mind, body, spirit, and unity.
Phase 4.2 : Heaven Version — Breathing pattern # 6
1.One must learn to perform and coordinate upper body with lower body.
2.One must coordinate breath with upper body technique only.
3.One must analyze and refine till the correct pattern is obtained and realized.
4.One must progress through the four phases: mind, body, spirit, and unity.
TOTAL HARMONIZATION
Phase 5.0 : Personal kata
This stage occurs only after one has developed much understanding into the kata and application of the techniques therein. This occurs when the kata is performed with visualization and intent added. The kata is now yours and your breathing will follow the intent of the actions and perceptions of your mind. Whether in response to a hostile action (defensive) or because a threat has been perceived requiring one to initiate action to protect ones self or others (offensive), the mind is in control and dictates the responses of the body.
**NOTES**
FOUR PHASES
1. Mind–the mind must learn basics and techniques, understand patterns, and apply (put actions together)
2. Body–repetition is applied and physical strength added along with gradually increasing controlled speed
3. Spirit–inner spirit and emotion are added to desire to strengthen the will
4. Unity–everything is pulled back into control and allowed to flow naturally and freely
Often individuals try to separate their Christian life from the martial art, but in truth, they can work together. The difference is that Christ MUST come first and be our focus and our martial arts is a means of others seeing His presence in us. If this is not happening then we are not accomplishing much for Christ no matter the morals or lessons we may teach.
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