Welcome back to Part Two of our blog series. In Part One, we examined the significance of bilateral coordinative fitness, its impact on physical development, and why martial arts provides an optimal framework for incorporating it into any routine.
Now, we will explore practical integration strategies, effective methods, and adaptable approaches for various environments. Continue with us as we dive deeper into how coordinative fitness through martial arts can enhance both academic performance and cognitive development.
We know that martial arts uniquely support excellence in academic achievement by simultaneously enhancing both physical and cognitive abilities. Unlike many traditional sports, which often focus on one aspect of physical development, martial arts engage the entire body, promoting balanced coordination and neurological growth.
This full-body approach strengthens critical cognitive functions—such as memory, attention, and problem-solving—that are essential for academic success.
By encouraging mindfulness, mental focus, and emotional regulation, martial arts help students develop the resilience and clarity needed to excel in their studies and beyond.
The effectiveness of martial arts in boosting academic performance lies in its ability to integrate cognitive and emotional development. The structured repetition of movements enhances working memory and strengthens neural connections, leading to improved focus and cognitive agility. Moreover, the emphasis on discipline and self-control equips students with the mental tools to manage stress and stay composed under pressure—skills that directly translate to better academic outcomes. Martial arts provide a comprehensive framework that cultivates not only physical strength, but also mental acuity and emotional intelligence.
So, how do we take this essential storehouse of information and share it with those who need it most while simultaneously maintaining the quality and the integrity of the skills we’re teaching?
Easy Integration
My colleagues and I asked ourselves a powerful question when we decided to create our nonprofit, Believing Through Achieving:
What if our parents, therapists, teachers, and caregivers could teach their students/clients martial arts as well as we could?
…and thus, BTA was born.
We know that martial arts are beneficial to everyone – neurotypical and neurodiverse – but we knew there were barriers to entry. Many traditional martial arts programs are costly, and where they are needed the most, they tend to be the most unaffordable.
Second, we can’t deny that scheduling is an issue for nearly everyone today. Expectations are high and availability is low. We knew that something had to be done where flexibility was paramount, and this meant bringing martial arts training online.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we wanted to make martial arts accessible for everyone. This meant that we utilized our century of combined experience teaching martial arts to conclude that it’s most effective and easily retained when it’s broken down into smaller, easily digestible pieces.
Our curriculum was created based upon that powerful question – what if anyone could teach martial arts as well as we can – because that meant teachers could use it during the day to break up long, focused sessions where students lose attention. It meant that therapists could use it during therapy when clients with autism or ADHD were learning how to manage stress and practice emotional regulation. It meant that parents and caregivers could take part in their loved ones learning at home and work with them as only they know best. These revelations, piece by piece, have built the success that BTA is today.
Our platform’s focus is not only to facilitate a gateway for anyone to learn martial arts and to learn it in the environment that suits them, but also to provide the curriculum in a format that is easily implemented while maintaining the integrity of the skills we’re passing on.
The best part is that it is not only flexible for the learner, but also for the instructor. For example, we currently have a community center within East LA that utilizes our platform in a group of children that is led by a teenage mentor. In addition, we’re also utilized in Irvine, CA at a college designed to help neurodivergent individuals gain independence and life skills. This college also trains future Occupational Therapists who teach our platform to their students during class. We’re also bringing a school district in Northern California on board so they can implement this within their physical education/after school programs.
What makes BTA so easy to implement is the simplicity and adaptability of our platform. We’ve designed it so that teachers, therapists, parents, and instructors, regardless of their martial arts experience, can confidently lead sessions. Because our curriculum is broken down into clear, step-by-step modules it doesn’t require specialized knowledge. This makes it accessible to anyone without needing prior martial arts expertise. With our video modeling and guided instruction, anyone can facilitate a class and feel supported along the way.
For schools, the program requires no additional equipment or space beyond what is typically available. This means it can be incorporated into physical education classes, after-school programs, or even short, focused brain breaks during academic instruction. Teachers can select shorter segments for quick sessions or use longer modules for dedicated physical education time. The flexibility to choose how and when to use the program makes it a versatile addition to any school day.
At home, the ease of implementation comes from the program’s on-demand format. Parents can access lessons anytime, fitting martial arts practice into even the busiest schedules. Whether it’s a quick 10-minute session after school or a weekend family activity, our platform allows families to use it in a way that suits their lifestyle. Online access means parents don’t have to commit to rigid class schedules, and they can engage with the program at a pace that works for their child’s attention span and energy levels.
In therapy settings, our curriculum complements the structured environment that therapists often work in. The lessons can be customized to meet the unique needs of each client, whether the focus is on building motor coordination, managing anxiety, or improving attention span. Therapists can introduce martial arts as part of a broader therapeutic approach without requiring extensive training themselves, making it an easy and effective tool to add to their sessions.
By breaking the program into manageable segments and offering it online, we’ve made it as flexible and user-friendly as possible. This flexibility, combined with its adaptability to different environments and learners, is what makes Believing Through Achieving not only easy to implement but also a powerful tool that fits seamlessly into the lives of those it serves.
Research consistently shows that martial arts training supports cognitive development, enhancing focus, memory, and problem-solving skills—key components of academic success at any level or age.
We prioritize these outcomes by offering an online platform that not only teaches martial arts techniques but also fosters mental discipline, resilience, and critical thinking. By integrating these practices, students gain the skills needed to excel in academic environments and beyond.
With every session, our program reinforces the connection between physical and cognitive growth, equipping learners to approach challenges with confidence, adaptability, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
At Believing Through Achieving, we’ve made these powerful benefits accessible to everyone through our flexible online platform. Our curriculum is designed for ease of implementation, whether in schools, homes, or therapeutic settings, allowing teachers, parents, and therapists to seamlessly integrate martial arts into their daily routines. By offering a structured, yet adaptable system, we ensure that martial arts can fit into any schedule or environment, providing learners of all abilities with the tools they need to thrive academically. We believe martial arts hold the key to unlocking a student’s full potential, and our program is uniquely positioned to deliver these benefits with unmatched accessibility and impact.
Ready to unlock your students’ academic potential through the power of martial arts?
Join Believing Through Achieving and experience our flexible, accessible online program designed for schools, homes, and therapeutic settings. Equip your learners with the tools to succeed both in and out of the classroom!
Get started today and see the transformative impact of coordinative fitness on academic and personal growth. Visit our website to learn more:
