Why Do Christians Use Martial Arts?

How many people ever wonder if martial arts is really effective? Can it really change one’s life? What about Christians who face persecution? Can martial arts be proven useful to them as well? Christians should take martial arts because it is a form of self-defense that can be used in situations of persecution and teaches self-discipline.

The history of martial arts is varied depending on the type. Kung Fu has its roots set in China. In 1372, Okinawa began an official relationship with China. This agreement allowed China to expand its trade with other countries, as well as to spread Kung Fu throughout the region. As an Imperial gift to Okinawa, a group of Chinese artisans and merchants were sent to Okinawa to establish a permanent settlement.

Wing Chun is the name of a system of martial arts developed in southern China approximately 300 years ago. Its originator, the Buddhist nun Ng Mui, was a master of Shaolin Kung Fu and used this knowledge to invent a way to take advantage of the weaknesses inherent in the other Shaolin systems. This new system was well-guarded and passed on to only a few, very dedicated students. Later, the style became known as Wing Chun, after Ng Mui's first student, a woman named Yim Wing Chun. More recently, beginning in 1970, Bruce Lee, who trained primarily in Wing Chun but also some other arts, incorporated some of its techniques and ideas into his own Jeet Kune Do. His fame led to international interest in Wing Chun. (“Types of Martial

Kung Fu, An extremely disciplined, powerful martial art where strength is built in low stances and powerful blocks. Some Kung Fu blocks are so powerful that it can break the arm of someone who is punching at that person. Kung Fu has many systems like Hung-Gar, WuShu, Wing Chun, and others. Kung Fu is for the patient, and mentally and physically strong person. It was the basis for many later forms of martial arts. Over the years, kung fu developed into different styles such as Wing Chun, Drunken boxing and styles based on animal movements like the crane or snake. The reason for such diversity was simple. People rarely traveled far from their homes and kung fu evolved in different locations. In northern China, martial arts emphasized kicking and leg work. In the South, various forms of boxing were most common. Top kung fu stars today have mastered different styles as well. Jet Li is best known as a practitioner of Wu Shu which uses many different styles emphasizing fluid motion. Jackie Chan learned kung fu while training in a Chinese opera school in Hong Kong and boosts a mastery of the "five animal styles" of kung fu which is highlighted in the film Shaolin Wooden Men. Today many kung fu styles exist and are still passed on as family traditions and through classes.

Shotokan Karate began on the island of Okinawa. Shotokan Karate also is one of the four main schools of Karate in Japan. It is best characterized by its long