When I was growing up in Jr. High (yes, I know that I just dated myself) and in High School, I was in need for some self confidence. I was introduced to something that changed my life...the martial arts. Specifically, I was involved with a class that was offered at my church. Originally it was called the "Guardian Angels" (not associated with the group from New York). That class was primarily Shotokan Karate. GA had it's issues, there was no real sparring, no weapons training, just kata and very basic self-defense, but it worked wonders on me. I began to have more confidence in myself, I took more pride in myself, and I became a much stronger Christian.
After about 3 years of the GA, the class went under a major change. There was a complete overhaul of the class, new instructor, new name new style...major overhaul! The class was now called CMAC (Christian Martial Arts Class), we moved more toward kick-boxing with an emphasis on Tae Kwon Do. There was much more stress put on sparring and competition. I was one of the only students who stayed from the previous class and again, I ate it up! I had received my Black Belt in the GA, and was utilized as an assistant instructor in CMAC. This (instructing) had the biggest impact on me in my development to adulthood. I was a senior in high school, looking to my future and what I wanted to pursue for my profession.
I had aspirations to go to art school and work for Disney, but was scared away by the art department at college. I then thought about law-enforcement (police or FBI), but lost interest in that. All the while I was continuing to instruct for CMAC, then it hit me...I love teaching!
I decided to become a high school math teacher, but between school and a very cute blond that came into my life, CMAC fell to the wayside. I still loved the martial arts, but it was not a priority in my life...at all. I married and eventually started my family with that cute blond, all the while getting farther and farther away from the martial arts.
Fast forward to June of 2009. The "Legomaniac" (my then 9-year old son) comes to me and asks to take Tae Kwon Do, and asks that I take it with him. We look into some classes and find the only one that we can really afford is at the local Rec Center. Legomaniac and I start Tae Kwon Do, and it doesn't take long for the skills to come back, the body is coming along, but the knowledge and the "what to do" flys back! After three weeks, I begin to realize that this class is only going to do go so far...there is no direct sparring, only kata (called tuls in Tae Kwon Do) and some very basic self-defense. The instructor is not very organized and alot of the time it feels like a "free-for-all" with some of the kids screwing around and NO direct instruction. While in a class, a small voice speaks to me, "You know, the stuff in CMAC was way better than this..."
That voice haunts me for the next week or so, but I don't say anything, I don't really have the time. Two weeks later, the Cute Blond says (to my shock) "Have you given any thought to starting up CMAC again?" Okay God, I get it! I have a conversation with the senior pastor at my church, and the wheels are in motion.
I had no idea what actually goes into something like this! I have spent countless hours coming up with a curriculum (kata, bunkai, self-defense, sparring protocol, class protocol), i developed a logo, I have had to look into equipment, we have had to talk to the board, the pastoral staff, the insurance company...holy cow...I just wanted to teach some martial arts!
Long story short (I know...too late!!) I just received the "Go-ahead" from my church...CMAC will be back up and running starting in Jan.
I am very excited and very scared! Please pray that I do, if nothing more, glorify God through my new class!
Until next time...
the Lockedawg
