OKEECHOBEE — A new martial arts dojo opened recently in Okeechobee, and this one is a ministry.

LaSala’s Big “O” Dojo is owned and operated by Master Chris LaSala and offers Christ-centered martial arts.

Born and raised in Fort Pierce, the LaSala family moved to Okeechobee about three years ago. LaSala has done martial arts his whole life and is a third-generation martial artist.

His father is a grand master who owns and runs a dojo in Saint Lucie County along with LaSala’s sister. He is a six-time world champion. LaSala’s sister is a three-time world champion, and LaSala holds a world title himself. His mother has a national title. “So, it’s pretty much my whole family. Now, I pass it on to my children.”

They are a mixture of Aikido, Jujitsu and have all the kicks of Tae Kwon Do. "We pretty much do a little bit of everything.”

“It’s all about self-defense and self-control and self-discipline,” he explained. “People think it’s a violent sport, but the point is to avoid violence when you can and defend yourself when you can’t avoid it.”

One of the most unique things about LaSala’s dojo and his father’s dojo is that they consider it a ministry. They hold a 30-minute Bible study at the beginning of class and then follow up with a one-hour martial arts class.

“My father started Karate for Christ back in the late 1980s,” he said. “I grew up going to ministry nights and as an adult, I started taking it over for my father.”

When covid hit, they started a landscaping company because no one was out taking martial arts classes. During this time, he, his wife Brittni and their family made the move to Okeechobee. His father and sister kept the school going in Saint Lucie County, but it was too far for him and his family to drive back and forth so he concentrated on teaching his family. Recently, he said he felt led to see if there was any interest in Okeechobee for a school and opened his dojo a few weeks ago.

Brittni and their second oldest son, Christopher, help in the school. Christopher is a black belt.

Recently, LaSala was chosen to be on Team USA where 22 different countries were represented. He competed in eight events and placed in the top three in all eight events.

The Bible study is non-denominational. “We just preach out of the Bible. We just preach Jesus and salvation through him.” They are not teaching any religious practices.

You can find them on Facebook or contact them by email: LaSalasBigODojo@gmail.com or phone: 772-204-5689. They are located in the Cedar Plaza on Southwest Third Terrace.

They meet on Monday nights from 6-7:30. They hope to add another night soon.

Children aged 3 and up are welcome, and he encourages families to do the class together. The cost is a minimum donation of $3 per student. You do not have to register ahead of time. Just show up wearing comfortable clothes.