Frequently Asked Questions
How do we benefit from martial arts training?
Martial arts training can lead to development of health and fitness with cardiovascular improvement, loss of weight and enhancement of overall flexibility. In addition, improvements in discipline, self respect, and confidence usually also result from martial arts training. Middle aged or older adults should consult with their family physician before beginning any exercise program.
What about eastern religious influences?
No eastern religious or spiritual concepts are taught in any aspect. Basic Christian principles of compassion and mercy are continually reinforced in the training classes.
Is martial arts training inconsistent with basic Christian beliefs?
Matthew records that Jesus admonished us to “not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39) Thus you might ask “How can a Christian train in any fighting art if we are to turn the other cheek and not resist?” Many Bible scholars believe that Jesus made extensive use of hyperbole in this famous Sermon on the Mount. For example, in a previous verse (Matthew 5:29) Jesus said “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away…..If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” None of these verses are usually interpreted literally. Jesus is apparently primarily speaking to the condition of our hearts and is admonishing us to be merciful and compassionate and not to return evil for evil as in “an eye for an eye” (Matthew 5:38). In fact, before his arrest, Jesus directed the apostles to arm themselves with swords, apparently for their own personal protection (Luke 22:35-36). Thus in our martial arts classes, we learn proportional responses to enable a range of options so that we can treat others the way we would hope to be treated if we were to find ourselves on the opposite side of a physical altercation.
Christian Martial Arts Links
What are
"patterns" or “forms”?
Patterns (also known as poomse, hyung, tul, kata) are pre-arranged sequences of footwork with blocks, strikes and advanced self defense techniques that represent physical encounters with one or more imaginary opponents. Learning the basic and advanced patterns teaches the student how to coordinate mind and body (including breathing) in the achievement of precision, control, balance, speed, and ultimately applied power in martial arts techniques. The Auburn Martial Arts Fellowship teaches the traditional Tae Kwon Do forms of Chon-ji, Dan-gun, etc. to color belt students. Black belt students also learn some older Tang Soo Do/Ryukyu Kempo patterns.
What is the big deal about belts?
The different color belts simply signify achievement of basic and then advanced martial arts skills. The skills include hand and foot strikes, blocks, body mechanics and movement and involve technique, timing, balance, power, and focus. The belt color sequence is beginner (white, yellow, orange), intermediate (green, blue, purple), advanced (red, brown, brown w/ black stripe), and then black. The general public considers the black belt to signify an expert level, but it traditionally denotes a serious student with an excellent foundation of the basics and ready to polish his/her skills.
Should I or my kids participate in tournaments?
Some members of the club participate in tournament
competition in forms and/or point sparring. Tournament participation
allows the student to compare his/her skills with others of similar training
as well as see the skills of more advanced students from other clubs.
Such comparison is important to develop a realistic assessment our
skill level and training progress. However, winning or losing in
tournaments is not emphasized since the end result of training is not to win
or lose, but to improve, have fun, learn self defense skills, and meet
people of diverse backgrounds. AAU Taekwondo tournaments are excellent
family-friendly venues for martial arts competition.
How much does it cost?
The only required cost is for each participant to join the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
The yearly cost for AAU membership is $12/year for children (17 and under) and $22/year for adults (18 and up).
Additional Tae Kwon Do Links
International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)
under Master Choi Jung Hwa
World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)
© Ruel A. Overfelt 2006