Now that ‘Cobra Kai’ has finished, which remains the ultimate dojo?

Throughout the series, the clash between Johnny and Daniels respective dojos served as the series central theme.

Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai each have their own distinct martial arts styles.

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Netflix

Cobra Kai Action Over Perfection

Johnny Lawrence isnt exactly an ideal life coach.

But his raw, no-nonsense approach to things do have their merits.

Although his execution isnt always the best, the principles behind his teachings do have real world value.

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Johnny doesnt waste time worrying about how he looks or whether hes doing things the right way.

In the real world, overthinking can be paralyzing.

Whether its starting a new career or putting yourself out there socially, confidence comes from doing.

Johnnys philosophy reminds us that failure isnt the enemy, stagnation is.

For years, he let that moment define him.

The same goes for people in the real world who tend to hold onto their failures.

Replaying old regrets instead of moving forward doesnt help.

Johnnys story is proof that redemption is always possible.

However, its important to remember that reinvention doesnt mean erasing the past.

It means using it as fuel to build a better version of yourself.

That said, ignoring past mistakes (like Johnny sometimes does) can lead to repeating them.

Growth requires learning, not just moving on.

This is also true in real life.

Resilience is a useful part of life when dealing with setbacks in a career or paralyzing grief.

Loyalty, too, is a valuable trait, but only when its given to the right people.

Johnny sometimes confuses loyalty with blind trust, which gets him burned.

He believes in patience, control, grounded wisdom, and finding harmony in all things.

From his first day as Miyagis student, Daniel learned that balance is everything.

Its not just about physical stability its about emotional and mental stability too.

Miyagi-Do is built on the idea that when your life is balanced, success follows naturally.

This is true in the real world, too.

Whether its balancing work with personal stuff or ambition with humility, stability is key to long-term success.

However, an obsession with balance can also make a person inflexible.

So a little chaos can sometimes come in handy.

Rather than striking first like Johnny, Daniel emphasizes patience and defense, using his opponents aggression against them.

His philosophy extends beyond karate, too.

He believes in thinking before acting and choosing battles wisely.

And in many aspects of life, reacting with patience rather than immediate aggression leads to better outcomes.

Whether in relationships, business negotiations, or personal conflicts, strategic thinking usually trumps impulsive action.

But waiting too long can allow ones enemies (Kreese and Silver) to gain too much power.

So although defense is a smart choice, hesitation can be dangerous.

Miyagi-Do Honor, Respect, and Legacy

Daniel never underestimates his rivals.

Even though he may not like them, he respects their skills and ability.

In real life, learning from those who challenge us is one of the best ways to grow.

But respecting an opponent doesnt mean assuming theyll play fair.

Similarly, preserving family traditions and remembering where we come from gives life meaning.

However, clinging too tightly to tradition can prevent us from moving on and being happy.