The Physical and Mental Benefits of Martial Arts for Adults When most people think of karate classes, they often picture energetic kids in white uniforms practicing punches and kicks. But at Practical Karate in San Diego, martial arts training is far from being just a youth activity. In fact, an increasing number of adults—busy professionals, […]
Book Summary of Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success: A Blueprint for Life and Leadership Few figures in sports history have left as lasting a legacy as Coach John Wooden. Known as the “Wizard of Westwood,” Wooden led the UCLA Bruins to 10 NCAA basketball championships in 12 years, including an unprecedented seven straight titles. […]
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 […]
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 […]
The origins of the black belt process system in Japanese martial arts date back to the early 1880s, when Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo, introduced a structured method for recognizing student progress. Kano, who had a background in education, sought to make martial arts more systematic and accessible. He introduced the dan (black belt) ranks […]
