Several of our Brown Belts (Ikkyu) will be testing for Black Belt in about five weeks. Training at this point becomes more intense – physically, mentally and spiritually.
People who don’t understand the true nature and purpose of martial arts often think of it as training to fight, but that’s far from true. The true purpose of martial arts is to “stop conflict.”
The Chinese character “wu” that is translated “martial” means “stop sword, end violence, stop fighting.” It carries the idea of the right use of arms or strength. The primary goal is to stop conflict, not cause it.
The “art” part of “martial arts” deals with the creative side of stopping conflict. It includes all of the disciplines needed to do it well.
The Black Belt test brings us to both sides of “martial arts” –
Resolving Conflicts Non-Violently
“The Yon Ch’uan training focuses on mental defense, resolving conflicts nonviolently while promoting physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Yon Ch’uan Martial Arts training offers youth programs of instruction designed to foster cooperation and personal growth. The youth training program and the confidence it inspires develops sills to resolve conflicts peacefully. In addition to actual martial arts techniques the program teaches children, young people and adults how to stop both physical and verbal confrontations before they happen. The training provides young people with a unique opportunity for social exchange and teaches each participant how to attain immense, internal energy, eventually reaching the full limits of their organic, psychomotor, cognitive and effective development, according to individual ability.” The Yon Ch’uan Martial Arts Black Belt Study Guide
The goal of all techniques in Yon Ch’uan Martial Arts is resolving conflicts non-violently. We have no desire to fight or cause anyone harm, but we will defend ourselves with speed, power and accuracy. That’s the ‘art’ part of Yon Ch’uan.
“Yon Ch’uan Three Zone Defense training brings out in young people the qualities of humility, honesty, confidence, courage, strength and truthfulness. None of the youth defense training programs can be used offensively. (Example: a headlock or front choke escape skill can only be used for defense) It is of paramount importance that a beginning student first develop God-confidence and learn alternatives to using force to dissuade a potential physical encounter. The Three Zone Defense youth instruction combines many of the very best martial art sport skills that can NEVER be utilized in any offensive combative fashion. These skills combine the very best principles of sport Judo throws and hold downs. Also many principles of Aikido escapes, constraint and submission skills are taught to a beginner student to avoid teaching them any dangerous combative skills that could be used offensively by an impulse-ridden beginning student. The student’s safety is always highly assured. This youth character training encourages self-discipline and a non-violent attitude and teaches that “rudeness is a weak person’s imitation of strength.” The Yon Ch’uan Martial Arts Black Belt Study Guide
† PURPOSE †
Our ministry purpose is to provide a Christ-centered, easy-to-do, therapeutic, restorative healthcare activity that will assist a person to reach his/her optimal affective, cognitive, psychomotor and spiritual potential.
Grace Martial Arts 