Avi Rokah Archives

The Evolution of Jiu Jitsu: From Brazil to Your Local Dojo

If you’ve ever thought about trying a Jiu Jitsu class, you’re not alone. This martial art has exploded in popularity over the past few decades — from its ancient beginnings to the thriving Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes you’ll find at your local dojo today. Whether you’re curious about adult Jiu Jitsu classes, exploring options for your kids, or considering private Jiu Jitsu classes, understanding the story of Jiu Jitsu will give you a deeper appreciation for the art you’re about to step into. The Early Days: Japan’s Gentle Art Jiu Jitsu, which translates to “the gentle art,” began in Japan […]

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Best MMA Classes: How to Find a Gym That Fits Your Style

Avi Rokah

If you’ve typed “best MMA classes near me” into Google, you’re probably looking for more than just a workout. Mixed Martial Arts has become one of the fastest-growing forms of training because it offers a blend of fitness, self-defense, and mental toughness. The challenge, however, is figuring out which gym or program is right for you—or your child. Not every MMA gym is created equal. Some focus heavily on competition and fighters, while others provide beginner-friendly classes that emphasize fitness, safety, and gradual learning. Parents searching for children’s MMA classes often want a very different environment than adults who are

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Beginner’s Guide to Wrestling Weight Classes: What Every Athlete Should Know

Avi Rokah

When you’re new to wrestling, one of the first things you’ll hear about is wrestling weight classes. These categories play a huge role in how athletes train, compete, and progress. If you’re considering joining wrestling classes or searching for wrestling training near me, understanding weight classes will give you a solid foundation to start your journey. What Are Wrestling Weight Classes? In simple terms, weight classes are divisions that group wrestlers based on their body weight. They ensure fair competition by matching athletes with similar size and strength. This way, technique and skill — not just size — determine the

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Why Enrolling in Children’s Jiu Jitsu Classes Builds Confidence and Discipline

Avi Rokah

If you’re wondering whether a children’s Jiu Jitsu class is the right choice for your child, the short answer is yes. Enrolling kids in Jiu Jitsu builds confidence, teaches discipline, and equips them with valuable life skills that go far beyond the mats. Unlike many sports, Jiu Jitsu emphasizes personal growth, problem-solving, and resilience in a way that’s both engaging and transformative for children. In this article, we’ll explore why Jiu Jitsu is such a powerful tool for kids’ development, how it compares to other martial arts, and why more parents are searching for “children’s Jiu Jitsu classes near me”

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Karate Classes for Kids: Building Confidence, Discipline, and Life Skills

Avi Rokah

Parents often search for karate classes for kids not just as a sport, but as a way to build character. Unlike many activities, karate develops both the body and the mind—teaching children confidence, discipline, and self-respect. Whether you’re exploring children’s karate classes, kids self-defense classes, or a karate after school program, the benefits go far beyond physical training. In this article, we’ll explore why karate is one of the best investments you can make in your child’s growth, how it compares to other activities, and what to look for when choosing the right program. Why Karate Classes for Kids

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Form and Principles

Avi Rokah

Precise form is very important in Karate training, Good form provides us a structure that allows to maximize force production and delivery with least effort, while minimizing stress on body segments. In many karate classes in Los Angeles, students are first taught how form and posture build this foundation. Yet optimal form is not an end, it is a mean, a vehicle, through which we should discover, understand and internalize the underlying mental and physical principles of karate techniques and applications. These principles are also taught from the beginning in kids karate classes, where discipline and focus are introduced through

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Oji Waza, How You React is Not A Conscious Choice

Avi Rokah

Oji Waza is what we refer to as response techniques, or as some understand it as defense techniques. There are many types of timing and techniques we can use to respond and capitalize on opponent’s attack. We can use Sen timing and hit the opponent as they intend to attack, we can use Sen timing while avoiding the line of attack, and this is called Nuki Waza. We can use timing of Go No Sen and catch the opponent after first attack and before they can switch to second attack. We could use variety of footwork and technique depending on

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What Feels Powerful is Not Necessarily Powerful

Avi Rokah

Butch Harmon was chosen as world best golf instructor since 2003 and he said “for longer drives, forget what feels powerful”. I thought that this is really cool, he said the instinct to try to pound the ball of the tee result in what is known as “hitting from the top”, which is a power killer because it disrupts the natural sequence of motion. He said: “if you cannot hold your finish, have a balanced finish, you are going at a speed your body cannot support. Try to go at 70, 80% of your max speed – and get your

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Sensei Nishiyama, The Practical and The Philosopher

Avi Rokah

Next week, on November 8, it will be 5 years to the passing of my teacher, Sensei Nishiyama. He was like a second father to me since we spent most of our days together. Sensei Nishiyama was very pragmatic and a philosopher at same time. His greatness was that he merged the old wisdom of Okinawa karate, with the old traditions of Japanese Budo (martial arts) and with latest sport science. In his teaching he was very methodical and scientific, and every detail had a reason and had to work and be part of the whole picture. His karate was

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Avoid Lapse in Attentiveness

Avi Rokah

The other day my student Brian Palmer and I were sparring for about 20 minutes. Afterward Brian, who is one of the smartest people I know (and therefore, I always listen to his comments carefully), told me that he feels that karate is a great way to learn to keep his attention and focus, when we spar for 20 minutes, the moment he has lapse in his attention, that is when he will make a mistake and I would get him. In karate, when sparring, more than anything else I know, if you lose attention, you get immediate feedback. But

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