 The public is invited to come out and watch or take part in the
class, and decide if this is something they would like to enroll in,
before actually making a commitment. Regular classes for enrolled
students will then begin on the following Thursday.The classes
are being promoted by the iWorship Center in Lincoln, which in turn
is partnering with Little Lambs to provide the classroom space.
Krav Maga is a little-known form of the martial arts in central
Illinois, though Giles does own and operate a successful program in
Springfield.
The art of Krav Maga is based on Israeli combat training, and in
Hebrew the two words mean contact and combat. Giles said the lesson
of the Krav Maga is one of self-defense. The classes involve
learning when and how to defend oneself against aggressors or
attackers. The classes also involve physical combat and learning how
to disarm an assailant.
Krav Maga is different from traditional karate in several ways.
First of all, Giles said, there are no levels. Each class is a
combined class with all the students participating at once. There
are also no belts to earn and no special clothing that is required.
The Krav Maga also doesn't practice ancient forms, or poses and
positions.
Giles said the program is designed so that people work together
as a group but also at their own pace. She noted there is a workout
period before the lessons. In that workout, she said, students do
what they are able, and when they are not able, they stop. She said,
though, what inevitably happens is, as they work in Krav Maga, those
abilities change, and they find themselves able to do more physical
activity.
Krav Maga is not an ancient art form. Giles said the Israeli
military is one of the best trained in combat in all the world. They
are the best because they are constantly changing and improving what
they do. Krav Maga takes the same practice to heart, continually
adding new material and new learning techniques to the lessons.
The art is the same as traditional karate in that it does not
teach aggression. The lessons are for self-defense and to be used
only when completely called for. Giles said students learn to
respect other people, to exercise restraint, but to know how to take
care of themselves in a bad situation.
She said the classes are for age 13 through adults. One of the
reasons for this, she said, is that she wants her students to have
the right maturity level to understand the lessons and learn the
practices of restraint and respect.
In the classes, students will be given the opportunity to learn
how to disarm someone who's holding a gun or a knife. Giles said the
class involves using fake weapons and actually putting to use the
movements they have learned.
Pastor Jon Daniels of iWorship acknowledged that helping to
promote a martial arts class is a little unusual for a church. That
in itself is part of the reason for getting involved with it, he and
his wife explained.
Daniels said that part of the message he wants to get out into
the community is that being a Christian doesn't have to be boring.
It is OK to have fun and do exciting things. His wife, Angela, added
to that, saying: "We want to be outside the box. We want to be
different and show that we (Christians) can learn, have fun and do
things together."
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Daniels has been the pastor at iWorship for four months. In
that time he said he has worked to be out in the community and
to interact with people. It is one of his goals for the church
to have more and more community involvement.
Offering the Krav Maga is part of that goal.
He said this is only a part of what is planned for the future.
One event in particular he is looking forward to: another
partnership with Little Lambs where they will have a community
campout on the back lawn of the day care. He noted plans are to have
bonfires, camping and activities such as remote-control airplanes
and bounce games for the kids.
"We want people to realize you don't have to be in a church
setting. The church is just a building. The church setting is about
what is inside you," Daniels said
Another thing he wants people to understand is that Christians
can be happy, have fun and feel good about themselves as people and
Christians. He and Giles said this is where the church and Krav Maga
do come together quite easily.
Giles said the classes improve self-confidence, put people in
better physical shape, make them feel better about themselves and
empower them to do other things.
Daniels said these are important things for Christians as well.
He wants to see the growth in self-confidence spread to their growth
as a Christian, making them an even better example of Christian
living.
As a new pastor at the church, Daniels is excited to be a part of
the Lincoln community and a part of this special new project. He
noted that one message he would like to send to the community is
that iWorship is a different church from what it might have been in
the past and that it is a place where everyone can come and be
comfortable as they worship God.
Giles ended the interview by saying she hopes people will come
out on the 27th and not be afraid to get involved. "Krav Maga is a
lot of fun, and our students quickly become a family," she said. She
also drew attention to her motto she was wearing on her T-shirt: "If
it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you."
Daniels concluded: "Those who think inside the box about church,
I want them to think outside the box. Why put Jesus in a box when he
is so much bigger."
[By NILA SMITH]
Related link:
http://www.kenpotime.com/default.asp
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