Our Academy: Who are we? Why should you train at our academy?


Since our opening, we have been committed to improving the lives of people through martial arts education and coaching. All students and their families are welcome to join us in creating a safe, comfortable, welcoming environment. We are proud to create an environment that allows individuals to reach, develop, and achieve their personal goals.

We believe martial arts can be accessible to everyone, regardless of their age, gender, and experience level. Students will learn the skills they need to protect themselves. We also stand behind our realistic, practical approach to ensure that every member can achieve greatness and live a full life.

Sigung Darryl James is the Chief Instructor at The James Martial Arts Academy.

I am a certified Adriano Emperado–Kajukenbo, Thomas Mitose–Kosho-Ryu Kenpo, and Krav Maga martial arts instructor. I have extensive experience in training children, adults, and women in self-defense. Nothing is more satisfying than watching them grow. Their personal growth and life skills will be more important than their martial arts skills. Because learning Kosho Ryu & Kajukenbo goes beyond just kicking and punching and advancing to the next belt rank.

Martial arts can help you develop self-confidence and discipline. Every class we teach helps children and adults develop their mind, body, character, and willpower.

Martial arts are a great way to get instant feedback. They learn to focus on their core moves, which helps them develop discipline and respect. They are able to immediately feel and see a difference. This will help them build self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-respect.

Every class is full of laughter and fun. This is why I love teaching martial arts to children and adults in San Diego, La Mesa, El Cajon, and Santee, as well as worldwide via our virtual classes. I know you will enjoy training with me.

Why Do We Train With a Sense of Urgency?

Unfortunately, the world isn't always kind to us (children on playgrounds, road rage, and others). Martial arts are one of those skills that everyone should learn. It's better to have the skill set and not use it than to need it.

Our Motto:

Respect all Men, Fear No Man.

Fight to Train, Fight to Train

Train to Fight, Go for the Broke!

Why Study Martial Arts?

Martial arts is an excellent option for you or your child. Martial arts can have many positive effects on your mental and physical health. It can be challenging to commit to something new.

Recent data shows that an aggravated attack occurs in America every 43 seconds. Martial arts can help practitioners defend themselves against life-threatening or dangerous situations.

Martial artists of all ages love to feel more confident. Martial arts can improve confidence, whether it's your child or you.

Participants feel more confident when practicing, improving, and succeeding at a skill.

Martial arts can be a great way to boost your child's self-confidence. Children who participate in karate, or another martial art, have higher confidence levels and better school performance. Martial arts classes will leave you with a better mental focus and a greater appreciation of the world around you. They are safe, fun, and challenging, and encourage you to join like-minded people.

Martial arts classes will help you become more familiar with structure and direction. You must pay attention to what is being done and eliminate distractions.

Martial arts often require the repetition of muscular actions over time. This will help you build strength and reduce fat. This is what everyone wants. Martial arts require flexibility. You will need different amounts, but you will improve your flexibility regardless of which martial art you choose. You'll need to stretch a lot to avoid injury and benefit from the flexibility of martial arts movements.

Martial arts are an excellent sport for both children and adults. Our training helps develop fast-twitch muscle fibers that can be used for explosiveness and quick bursts of energy, such as strikes and evasions. Your reflexes will improve as your body becomes more adept at maneuvering at higher speeds.

Martial Arts and A.D.H.D.

For people with ADHD (attention deficit disorder), martial arts can be a great option. Even for those without ADHD, martial arts can help to improve their focus. It will teach you how to stay focused, even in stressful situations, and keep your head in the game.

Martial arts for older adults

For example, take karate. Meditation and spirituality are two of the most important aspects of karate training. It is crucial to stop the opponent as soon as possible, but not with aggression. You should avoid conflict if you can.

You can avoid conflict by learning to be calm and peaceful, even in stressful situations. You can even use it to save your life in potentially dangerous situations such as robberies or street fights.

You will meet other practitioners in training, especially in sparring and pad work. It is an excellent benefit to martial arts that you can socialize in training.

The Benefits of Martial Arts Training at the James Martial Arts Academy

Martial arts training offers numerous benefits from both a physical and mental perspective
standpoint. Most people are surprised at the benefits they receive from martial arts training. The most apparent advantage that people see is the ability to learn and apply self-defense techniques. By doing this, students increase their confidence level by knowing they are learning how to defend themselves. Students will increase flexibility, strength, power, speed, and overall stamina during this process. 

Through repetition, most people notice that their range of motion and flexibility have increased significantly. As you continually work the body's muscles, they get stronger and more powerful. Students typically see weight loss and an increase in muscle tone due to all of the exercises they perform in a typical class. 

Over time, people see an increase in the speed of their techniques, especially when they start training.

The benefits that most people don't expect are just as exciting. Focusing, as you do in a martial arts class, helps you to forget the stress of the day, and your worries disappear. When you are training hard and sweating, you get to the point where you feel "in the zone." 

It's a natural high based on adrenaline and just doing something you love. Even if you're having a bad day, a great workout can help you mentally change things and feel great. I suggest you try it; next time you get frustrated, stand up and do some jumping jacks to go for a brisk walk or start a training session. It's amazing!