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"Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle"

Psalms 144:1




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Competitive Spirit



"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

"We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.

"We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

"We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

"We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

"We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

"We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.

"We have abused power and called it politics.

"We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

"We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

"We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

"Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.

"Amen!"

Pastor Joe Wright
Opening prayer for the Kansas Senate

  7 steps for finding

a good martial arts teacher  


Here are some pointers you might find useful when looking for a good martial arts teacher:


  1. Look around. Sometimes the best teachers aren't actually at those commercial studios down the street. A karate business is run by a good businessman, which does not necessarily make him a good martial artist or even a good teacher. You can sometimes find good instruction at the local YMCA or rec center. Some of the best in the world only teach privately and semi-privately. Ask around. Search the internet. It might be worth it to look around a little more beyond just the yellow pages.

  2. Know why you want to train. If you know why you want to train (exercise, competition, comradery, fighting skills, self discipline, etc.), then you'll know what to look for. If you know what you're looking for, then you'll know it when you see it. The martial arts market is much too big to just go out and look. Much like cars, there is something for every part of the market. It's just a matter of finding the right fit. While some might enjoy being in a commercial martial arts venue, others might prefer a small, independent club atmosphere. Some might enjoy grappling and rolling on the ground with sweaty men, while others might prefer punching and kicking. It's just a matter of finding the right fit.

  3. If you're looking to enroll your child, find a teacher who loves teaching kids. Just because someone is a good martial artist doesn't necessarily mean he's a good teacher, especially when it comes to your kids. Look for a teacher who understands the impact martial arts can make on your kids and makes the program fun and exciting for them. Talk to the other parents and their kids and ask them how they feel about the program. Observe the children in class (And be very wary of any instructor who has a policy of not allowing parents to watch their kids in class). Do they show discipline, focus, and respect, or are they just clowning around the whole time? It should be a martial arts class, not a glorified day care. Be careful if you see a lot of child black belts. There's a reason why a black belt carries a special respect about it; it should never be given away.

  4. Look at the quality of the product. A teacher's product is his students. What are the students like? Do they show the ability to defend themselves? Can they move? Do they carry themselves in a respectful, professional manner? Do they show confidence, yet humility? Do the black belts look and move like black belts? Are they mean spirited and demeaning? Or do students walk out invigorated and inspired, better off than they were before class?

  5. Ask questions. Once you've found a potential teacher, ask him about his teaching philosophies. Heck, why not share your own faith with him and see how he responds? Regardless of his beliefs, your concerns are valid and should be addressed by the instructor. Talk to the other students and ask them how they like the class. Why did they choose this teacher? Did they try any others? Are they allowed and encouraged to go to competitions and seminars, especially those not sponsored by the instructor?

  6. Location, location, location. While certain select people are willing to commute 1 or 2 hours (or more) to train with a particular teacher, most of us would simply stop going if the drive was too far out of the way. Try to find someone either close to home or close to work, or somewhere in-between. (Then again, if you do find an absolutely great teacher, and you're very committed to training, then it might be worth the drive for you! Exceptional teachers are hard to find...)

  7. Watch where your money goes. Granted, the commercial karate studio owner is teaching martial arts for a living and needs to get paid in order to stay in business and feed his family. If he's good at what he does, and does so with integrity, then he needs and deserves your support. However, there are a few out there who are just used car salesmen in karate uniforms. Contracts, dues, equipment costs, testing fees, these are all to be expected. But be wary of any fast talking sales pitch, especially when it comes to getting a black belt in a short period of time, or instructors who claim that they are the only way and discourage or actually prohibit students from working out with others outside of the school.



P.S. Read my articles, "Don't sweat it when others lose their cool, part 1" and "Is There CHI in CHRIST?", from Faith & Fitness Magazine.





P.P.S. Are you a pastor, youth leader, or church member who would like to have a special self defense seminar for your church or ministry? It's a great outreach opportunity that offers practical steps ANYONE can do (and EVERYONE should be doing), and introduces the non-believer to a practical model of spiritual warfare. It is a fun, interactive workshop (1-2 hours over 1 or 2 days) that can be focused towards adults, youth, even seniors. It is a must for living without fear in this fallen world. Contact me for more info or to schedule a seminar for your group!



P.P.P.S. Are you a coach, manager, pastor, teacher, or administrator looking for an inspirational speaker for your team, school, church, or organization? Share a unique and encouraging message with your group! Possible topics include (but not limited to):

  • The 3 P's to achieving your goals/becoming a champion

  • How anyone can find CHI in CHRIST

  • Victory while struggling with anger

  • Personal testimony with martial arts demonstration

Contact me for more info or to schedule a speech for your organization!



P.P.P.P.S. Maybe you're not into the physical side of the martial arts, but you desire the self discipline and the success in life that comes from it. If so, then check out Competitive Spirit Performance Coaching Services.




VICTORY KARATE
info@victorykarate.com
(310) 448-7542


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