John Pecoraro - A martial artist making a difference

A Bay Area martial artist making a difference in the lives of many is John Pecoraro. John and his family own and run Pecoraro’s Academy of Martial Arts. The Academy is located at the eastern edge of Rohnert Park, near Sonoma State University.

John began his martial arts career through boxing. It began when he was 9 years old and continued through his college years in Iowa, where he obtained a BA in Psychology and another BA in Business Administration. In 1992, he founded the Academy in Cotati, CA. In May of 2004, he was awarded his 5th degree black belt. That same year he was nominated and inducted into the Martial Arts U.S.A. Hall of Fame in Centerville, IN. This distinction was “in recognition of excellence in martial arts instruction.”

John notes, “Through the years I have seen what the martial art spirit can do to a person's self-esteem and confidence. In my opinion there is no better vehicle to self-discovery and personal improvement than the martial arts.” The Academy’s focus is on “Konsei Martial Arts.” This approach is one of the core teaching methodologies followed at the Academy. “Most styles of martial arts tend to focus on individual areas of self-defense and philosophy. Konsei Martial Arts combines techniques and principles from a variety of Martial Arts including Taekwondo, Grappling, Kenpo Karate, Kickboxing, Escrima, Muay Thai, Aikido and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which provide our students wih a well-balanced, ‘street smart’ self-defense system.” The Academy also offers a “Hard Core Fitness Program” and a “Weapons Program” [Staff – jo, Sword, katana, Knife, tanto and Escrima, sticks]. Martial arts instruction is offered for all ages.

There is a “Little Tiger” program for ages 4-7. “Combining fun and learning,” as is noted on the handout the Academy provides, the program focuses on developing both life skills and physical skills, a hallmark of all of the programs offered at the Academy. The "Junior Program" is for ages 8-12. “Using innovative methods and just the right amount of fun, we teach…non-violent conflict resolution and [how to] avoid potentially dangerous situations.”

With the “Teen Konsei Program,” the Academy builds on the foundation set into place with the earlier programs. The program description notes, “Surrounded by other teens with positive values and adults with real life experience, they come to learn how to focus, respect, and self-discipline give them a huge advantage in life.”

In the “Adult Konsei Program,” the course material notes that “…the indomitable spirit of the committed martial artist pays huge dividends in the business world. Professionals from all walks of life recognize that strengthening their focus and perseverance gives them a huge competitive edge.”

The core teaching faculty includes John, his wife Carol Pecoraro, also a 5th degree black and Master Chief Instructor and their son Adam Pecoraro, also 5th degree black belt and 1996 National Champion with the Taekwondo organization he was studying with.

In addition, students who have come up through the ranks are now instructors in the various disciplines, creating a teaching body that nurtures other students with their own learning histories and well as their advanced skill sets.  Beyond teaching a rigorous set of positive martial core values, the Academy extends it work out into the world.

A “Spring Camp” has been created to feature “…community-awareness [and] moral awareness.” “Stranger danger, dog safety, safety authority figures” are all part of the program, designed to help children ages 7-13 become a positive part of their community through learning in a fun camp like atmosphere.

Having had personal experience teaching Aikido classes at the Academy, I can attest to the student’s eagerness to cross train in an atmosphere that is positive and also light hearted enough that the element of fun never disappears.

For more information about Pecoraro’s Academy of Martial Arts, please go to their web site. John Pecoraro and his family are indeed martial artists making a difference in the lives of many and in their community.

The photographs were provided by Adam Pecoraro, owner of AdamLand Productions.