One of the most unique aspects of our program at Practical Karate is the use of the Senpai/Kohai relationship in traditional Japanese martial arts. Senpai (“senior”) and Kōhai (“junior”) are Japanese terms used to describe a formal hierarchical interpersonal relationship found in organizations, businesses, and schools in Japan. In modern education, the Senpai/Kohai relationship is […]
Martial arts history is full of masters who preserved tradition, but fewer who reshaped it. Tatsuo Shimabuku, the founder of Isshin-ryu karate, was one of those rare innovators. Born on the island of Okinawa, which was the crossroads of Japanese, Chinese, and indigenous martial traditions, Shimabuku respected the deep roots of karate. Yet he also […]
Robert Greene’s book Mastery is a must-read for every Practical Karate student. Not only does this book map out the path to success in any endeavor in life, but it also shows the numerous personal benefits to mastering any skill set while you are young. It doesn’t matter what skill set you master as long […]
When it comes to mastering new skills, whether it’s learning a language, playing an instrument, developing athletic ability, or improving academic performance how you practice is just as important as how much you practice. One of the most well supported findings in cognitive psychology and educational research is the superiority of distributed practice over mass […]
In every field—from sports and music to business and academics success doesn’t come from talent alone. While natural ability may provide a starting point, it is deliberate practice that propels individuals toward excellence. This powerful, purposeful method of training separates those who improve steadily from those who plateau or regress. Understanding what deliberate practice is, […]
Featuring insights from Robert Greene’s “Mastery” A martial arts skill acquisition is not the result of raw talent, nor is it something that appears overnight. It is the product of a deliberate, sustained process grounded in three essential elements: frequency, duration, and intensity of practice. In his seminal work, Mastery, author Robert Greene dissects the […]
