30 Dec “20 Reasons”
Anatomy of OMMA Training
Like most things that are of real value, growth in our Kempo training with OMMA takes time and sometimes it is hard to recognize in ourselves. The beginning of the year is, perhaps, a great time to re-evaluate why we do what we do and make a fresh commitment to doing the things of great value with a renewed vigor and focus on excellence!
Some time ago, I assembled this list of TWENTY areas which students will be involved in and, Lord willing, see growth in over time if they persevere in their training with OMMA. Not everyone will realize all of these, but many of these are happening without the student (or their parents) even knowing, so we wanted to try to bring to your attention the many areas our training with OMMA desires to touch upon. Consistent and persistent training with OMMA will see an increased breadth and depth of growth in these TWENTY areas.
(1) God-centered perspective: From the big picture of Christ-centered martial arts training down to the individual interactions with each other in class and our training curriculum, we desire to point each of us to an increasingly God-centered view of life. (Colossians 1:16-17; Romans 11:36; 2 Timothy 1:9-10)
(2) Discipline of prayer: We start every class with prayer and cover all of the activities, classes, students and their families with prayer. Our OMMA Prayer Warrior Team is also regularly interceding on behalf of each person involved in this community asking the Lord to graciously cause the things in this list to come to pass for each OMMA participant. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:18; James 5:16; Philippians 4:6-7)
(3) Character of a Christian Warrior: Every martial arts program (and many other sport activities too) attempt to teach character – whether intentionally or not. Usually they contain elements of Eastern worldviews (Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Confucianism) or secular humanistic worldviews (“I can accomplish anything in my own strength,” “I am my own god.”). These can, over time, undermine what is being taught in Christian homes and churches. By relying on Christ as our perfect model of character and the Word of God as our guidebook, we can bring glory to God by reflecting His character. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(4) Community: Our desire is to create a safe place where people are welcomed, loved, encouraged, challenged and develop genuine, meaningful relationships. (Romans 12:10; Romans 14:19; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:3)
(5) Flexibility: Dynamic and static stretching during each class maintains and increases full body flexibility which leads to less injuries both in and out of class as well as improves overall health and wellness.
(6) Focus & Concentration: Various drills and training methods utilized in OMMA help students develop their ability to block out distractions and extraneous stimulus to focus in on the immediate task at hand. One of the most significant indicator of success in so many areas of life is the ability to maintain a laser-like focus until the task is completed.
(7) Technical precision: The practice of a wide variety of movements and techniques develops concentration, memory and diligence as students practice through repetition and then receive correction from an instructor to bring back to the mats for further refinement. Striving for perfection develops an attitude of excellence.
(8) Practical Self-Defense and Others-Defense skills: Our OMMA martial arts system is designed to help each student learn how to defend themselves or others from a variety of physical threats.
(9) Perseverance: Between White Belt and Black Belt will come many opportunities to quit. Each opportunity to quit is also an opportunity to decide not to quit, to press on toward the goal when things are tough. Our Belt Tests are also designed to increasingly challenge our ability to persevere. We learn to overcome obstacles and hindrances.
(10) Peace over Power and the Continuum of Force: We learn to avoid the use of force and to better discern when it may or may not be required. When force is required, we learn to us the least amount of force to survive a conflict. This can carry over into non-physical confrontations as well as we strive to be peacemakers wherever we go.
(11) Concentric Circles of Self Defense: In addition to physical defense, we equip students in the outer circles of total Self Defense, including Life Habits, Awareness, Avoidance, Escape, and Diplomacy.
(12) Agility and Balance: The Chinese aspect of our training is especially useful in developing improved agility and balance which reduces injury and increases success in the martial arts as well as many other sports and physical activities.
(13) Physical and Mental Toughness: In a progressive method, to keep the training safe, we gradually increase the physical and mental challenges to stretch our comfort zones without breaking us. These are great qualities to have in all areas of life as we fight the daily battles coming our way.
(14) Goal Setting: The Belt Rank system as well as additional goals in our Instructor Program help each student set short-term, measurable, achievable goals with a community for encouragement and accountability. Another huge indicator of success is the ability to set and reach SMART goals.
(15) Muscular strength and endurance: The OMMA program consists of such a wide variety of movements and techniques that it hits every area of the body to develop both strength and endurance in the muscles.
(16) Aerobic Fitness: Bag work, sparring, grappling and repetition of forms and techniques in the air and with a partner will significantly improve aerobic fitness when done consistently.
(17) Stress Relief: Exercise, focusing on a challenge to overcome, setting goals to achieve, training with like-minded people in a Christian community, hitting bags, praying and looking at God’s Word combine to create a great environment for adults and children alike to experience a release of stress from the burdens of life outside the Dojo.
(18) Leadership & Teaching Skills: From early on we begin training and encouraging our students in the philosophy of LEARN-DO-TEACH for their own benefit and the benefit of the larger community. Progressing through the OMMA instructor ranks brings a deeper understanding of the martial arts, an opportunity to encourage and train others physically, mentally and spiritually and could, Lord willing, lead to an exciting ministry career!
(19) Fun: Students should, in a way that is not “folly”, enjoy the training and the relationships in the OMMA community. We strive to create an environment that balances good, hard training with a joyful, comfortable, fun feel.
(20) Service to Others: Last, but not least, we desire to foster an increasing awareness of physical, emotional and spiritual needs in the lives of others both near and far, and introduce opportunities to meet those needs. Additionally, we strive to equip students with any necessary skills for this service and gently, but firmly encourage engagement!
None of this can or will be accomplished without the involvement of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Please join us in praying that the Lord would cause all of these twenty things to be accomplished in each student according to His good pleasure and His plan for each of us.
I am on the journey with you! 🙂
Looking forward to a Christ-centered New Year!
Marco