Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

    I can only respond with a personal dream, which is to someday become a
    master of Aikido - which is a completely defensive art.  I am told that
    an Aikido master need not even touch her/his opponent.
    
    DR

Hi Jim,

I think we touched on this in note 182 on Yoga (have you caught up yet, Cindy? 
.-)

I practice Shintaido, "New Body Art".  I agree it's very good for keeping the 
physical temple in shape, but more that a simple aerobic work out or most
sports, it also works to develop the body in conjunction with the emotional,
mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual as well. 

Shintaido is a cooperative art, you can learn to free your body and develop 
the spontaneity of a child.  It was developed recently, in the mid-sixties,
and intentionally designed so that anyone, from any culture or spirituality 
can benefit and bring their spirituality into it, enhancing both.

When I first started at a "NightLife" class, a woman asked if she would learn 
self defense.  Kathy, our instructor, said "No, the best you could hope for is 
to learn to act weird and scare somebody away."  Some of the partner practices 
have the appearance and nomenclature of giving and receiving "attacks", but 
the only intent is to help one's focus and to give and receive control 
cooperatively.

I suppose like most anything there is a range of philosophical content that 
one might find.  Like you, Jim, the people I've encountered through Shintaido 
are some of the most genuinely Loving people I've met.

Peace

Jim

    I have also found some of the most peace-oriented, spiritual
    and loving people at the Tai Chi classes I've taken.
    
    Like DR, I've also had a dream of taking Aikido, but haven't
    been able to as of yet.
    
    I'd really be interested in hearing about your Goju Ryu class
    Jim and how you like it.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Karen

    Well, last night was my first class, after being away for a couple of
    months. Today, my legs are in pain, and my arms feeling a couple pieces
    of iron, but I feel great. What a workout ! The class was about
    twenty men and two women. The ages were from 15 yrs old to the instructor
    who is about 48yrs old. The average age I would guess is between 28 to
    32.

    All welcomed me with hand shakes and introductions. 

    We did all kinds of stuff. First we start off with what the instructor calls 
    a 20 minute warm up. Of course 50 push ups on your knuckles and 100 situps 
    is part of this so called warm up. The instructor told me, just do as much 
    as you feel capable of. He has a good way of getting you to push yourself
    though, cuz he lines up the class with the lowest ranked (me) closest
    to him. 

    Next we did all kinds of blocking and striking moves. Then he has a
    black belt take the two white belts, myself and another guy, to teach
    us the different required moves for the first exam, which comes June
    28th. I don't know if I'll be eligible, because you must attend a
    minimum of 25 classes before you can take an exam. I'll have to make
    every class without missing to make it. I told my wife I'd be out 
    three nights a week and she said, "OK" with a smile.

    Well, anyway it's a great way to get into shape and have fun at the
    same time. I recommend it highly. Be sure to get into a good school 
    though. There are some schools that teach, a lot of pretty moves,
    but are not effective.


    Peace
    Jim

    Sounds really great Jim, and I admire your 'fortitude'! :-)
    
    Karen

re.0

	Hi Jim,

	I wrestled (no pun intended 8*) with that question in 1976 when I joined
a Gung Fu School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Being a christian, I didn't want to
perform any pagan rituals under the guise of a great way to stay in shape! My
sifu (SEE-FOO) studied under both Bruce Lee and Bruce Lee's master in China. So
I knew I was in for a "good time" physically but very uncertain about the
spiritual aspects. I discussed my beliefs with my teacher before I joined and
made it clear that if my conscience bothered me about something I wouldn't do
it. Fortunately, my sifu was also a believer and understand matters of
conscience. He was always careful to let me know the source of the moves I was
required to do (which master developed them and the intent behind the moves).
Sometimes for my conscience sake he would rename movements.

	I joined and found my study under him was very rewarding in many
aspects of my well being. I recommend it if you clear up the potential
conflicts upfront so that your teacher doesn't think you are untrainable or
have a bad attitude. If you compromise your conscience you will also be
uncomfortable and unable to kick as hard  8*)  8*)

Regards,
Ace

	Culture plays heavily into how martial arts are popularly understood.
In Eastern cultures, I understand the spiritual aspects of martial arts are
emphasized.  In Western culture, however, competition and combat mastery are
most highly prized.

	I've recently come to appreciate the value of learning martial arts
through my young son, Ricky.  Ricky is enrolled in classes which teach a
combination of Karate and Kung Fu.

	The learning area is honored upon entering and exiting by a bow from
each person.  In a sense, the learning area (pronounced like Doe-Joe) becomes
something of a sanctuary.  There is a formal salutation which, through
movement, expresses the essence of the philosophy of "the scholar and the
warrior."  It is something like a liturgy or communal prayer.

	Throughout the classes, ritual and reverence are clearly evident.
Human dignity and respect for all people is consistently verbalized and
reinforced, certainly more than in most churches I've known.

Peace,
Richard

    RE:7
    Richard,

>	Culture plays heavily into how martial arts are popularly understood.
>In Eastern cultures, I understand the spiritual aspects of martial arts are
>emphasized.  In Western culture, however, competition and combat mastery are
>most highly prized.

     Well, culture does play a role, however, Japanese, Okinowian, and
    Korean martial arts are very competitive and combative. It's why they
    were developed. Where as Tai Chi and Kung Fu have a spiritual
    dimension, not in a worshiping sense, but on the total development of
    the human being. Karate, Judo and Jutisu are known as external martial
    arts. They were developed for fighting armies. Tai Chi and I think, Kung Fu 
    are known as internal martial arts. They were developed as means of
    developing the Yin and Yang, or physical and spiritual side of the
    person. The Martial art aspect is just a benefit of the whole thing.

>	I've recently come to appreciate the value of learning martial arts
>through my young son, Ricky.  Ricky is enrolled in classes which teach a
>combination of Karate and Kung Fu.
 
    Would it be a Kempo style ? Kempo is more of an American style. 
    Fred Parker and Fred Valari were considered the Masters in
    American Kempo. BTW, Elvis Presely was a black belt in Kempo.


>	The learning area is honored upon entering and exiting by a bow from
>each person.  In a sense, the learning area (pronounced like Doe-Joe) becomes
>something of a sanctuary.  There is a formal salutation which, through
>movement, expresses the essence of the philosophy of "the scholar and the
>warrior."  It is something like a liturgy or communal prayer.
 
    Well, the Karate club I was in, did bow to each other and to Master
    Yamaguche as a symbol of respect (like a hand shake ). There was no 
    philosophy at all nor any form of mysticism. The school isn't allowed
    to compete, but the style was very combative and very damaging for any
    opponent that comes into contact with a person trained in it. Gojo Ryu
    was the style BTW. 

>	Throughout the classes, ritual and reverence are clearly evident.
>Human dignity and respect for all people is consistently verbalized and
>reinforced, certainly more than in most churches I've known.

    Reverence and ritual are part of most good martial arts clubs. It
    helps insure discipline and seriousness during the training.

    BTW, I used "was" for the style I was learning cuz I quit. I come to
    realize, after two sprained toes, that at 39 years old, it's better
    to stay with an internal martial art like Tai Chi, rather than an
    external art like Karate. Karate is something you should begin learning
    when your young in this old fart's opinion. Then you'll heal quickly from 
    the injuries that you WILL encounter.-):

Peace
    Jim

Jim,

	Yes, it is Kenpo.  Thanks for the overview in 227.8.

Peace,
Richard

	Well, I'm one proud Papa!  I could easily pop a few buttons off my
shirt.  My eleven year old son, Ricky, participated in a (Kenpo style)
Karate tournament last Saturday.  He took the gold medal in forms and
the silver medal in sparring.  That's *my* boy!

Peace,
Richard

    Congratulations Richard & son !   

    Peace
    Jim

    Yes, congrats Richard and Ricky!
    
    :-)
    
    Karen

    That's great, Richard (and Ricky!)!

    
    Yea Ricky!!!!
    
    Cindy