Introduction to Cedar Park Martial Arts

Karate is an ancient martial art that originated in Okinawa before Japan took over the country.  Traditional karate is a combination of Okinawan and Chinese self-defense, and the style that our ministry studies is a very traditional form from Okinawa.  Our program is chartered from the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Matsumura Karate & Kobudo Federation, which is headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.  We teach open hand karate, as well as the use of several traditional Okinawan weapons.  Open hand and weapons are taught in the form of basic technique, pre-arranged forms called kata, and partner drills to strengthen the application of the technique.

 

So how can a karate class be a Christian ministry?  Well, for a karate practitioner to be successful, he or she has to develop high levels of discipline and focus, respect for the instructor and their fellow students.  Control is developed when working on technique with each other, as well as perseverance to keep focused on what they are learning in the here and now, and not get caught up in being to driven towards their goal to become a black-belt.  These same traits will strengthen the walk of the Christian, and in the course of instruction, we constantly illustrate and reinforce the ties from the path of a karate practitioner, to the walk of a Christian.  For each promotion, the student is required to demonstrate proficiency in the karate technique that they have learned, and they are also required to recite pre-determined scripture and associated principles from memory which form the scriptural theme for each belt level.