Three Lessons from Cobra Kai

Having trained Karate for over four decades, I'm always interested in Martial Arts TV shows and movies. I enjoy watching some good fight scenes, but most of all, I like watching martial arts shows that underline the philosophy and thought behind the practice of the martial arts.

Shows like Kung-Fu with David Carradine in the 1970's were a staple of my childhood, and Bruce Lee fighting it out with Chuck Norris in the Roman Colosseum in "The Way of the Dragon" was the most memorable fight scene I have ever seen on a screen.

Watching each season of Cobra Kai has been entertaining, and many people ask me what I think of the show. I wanted to offer three positive observations. Setting aside "details" such as everyone getting a black belt in record time or the excessive amount of Karate brawls, just to mention a couple, I think we can benefit from focusing on some of the good lessons we can gather from the show.

Not a Bad Guy - I was very happy to see a different side of the story of Johnny (the original "bad guy"). In my experience most people are not evil. Yes, some folks can be angry, demanding, dishonest, and more, but there is much good in everyone, if we just take the time to get to know and understand them. The bully at school, for example, may be seen as a bad guy/gal, but we probably miss their own story of frustration at home, neglect, disappointment, or bullying by others. A lesson from Cobra Kai is that we should be patient and try not to judge too quickly. That person who you think is evil, may even become your best friend and hero if given the chance.

Redemption - There are also many examples of overcoming adversities, trying and failing, winning and losing, all the while continuing to move forward. Over the years I have encountered a few students who quit training because they failed a belt test, or because they did not do well at a tournament. Even worse, their parents allowed them to quit, reinforcing the idea that if you don't do well at first, one should give up. The majority of students however, are resilient and use any setback as a lesson to work harder and perform better each time. One of the main underlying themes of the show, I believe, is redemption, and how it is within everyone's reach.

No Guarantees - Finally, I think that the series demonstrates a quote from Master Yasuhiro Konishi, who stated that "Karate aims to build character, improve human behavior, and cultivate modesty; it does not, however, guarantee it." Just the fact that a person practices Karate or other martial arts, it does not make them good, respectful, or disciplined. Karate in fact fosters these traits, but it is up to the individual to take full advantage of their training. I think Cobra Kai demonstrates how Martial Arts can be a path for positive development, but also how we always have a choice in the matter.

I hope you also enjoy watching the series, but even more, maybe you'll consider starting Karate Training. Whatever your age or current physical abilities, Karate is a great discipline for children and adults, and we'd love to see you on the mats.