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common sensei

Sensei Bill Viola Jr. is the author of the upcoming life skills book called Common Sensei. Each edition you “earn” colored belts with the ultimate goal being a “Black Belt in Life.” He is the Amazon Bestselling author of Tough Guys.

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CommonSensei will knock some sense in you!

Bill Viola Jr. is an author, producer and world renowned karate Sensei who who holds trademarks for the CommonSensei a self-help book series and Sensei Says life skills curriculum.

Common Sensei is the personal brand and life‑skills dojo created by Bill Viola Jr., a second‑generation black belt and notable martial arts mentor .


Who is Common Sensei?

  • Bill Viola Jr. (Sensei) is the founder. He follows in the footsteps of his father, a pioneer in American mixed martial arts since opening their dojo in 1969 

  • The term “CommonSensei” is a clever fusion of “common sense” and “sensei,” expressing his mission as a mentor in everyday life—beyond martial arts 


What they teach

CommonSensei offers more than combat training:

  • Martial SMARTS™ – life skills such as financial literacy, healthy relationships, and fitness, grounded in martial arts philosophy 

  • Their ethos: “Black Belt in Life®” — each belt represents personal growth in areas like career, wellness, and character 

  • Programs combine structured martial arts, life coaching, motivational content, and a dash of inspired wisdom (“ZEN spirational”) .


Resources & Media

  • Book – Common Sensei: How to Earn a Black Belt in Life

    • Described as “a game‑changer … like stepping into a dojo for life skills,” blending Samurai mindsets with practical modern guidance 

  • Social platforms & blog

    • Active on X/Twitter (“Welcome to Common Sensei’s dojo!”) 

    • Their website hosts blog posts and deeper explorations into the “dojo of life skills” theme 


Why it stands out

  1. Unique positioning – it’s not just karate; it combines self-defense, life coaching, and mental resilience into one philosophy.

  2. Heritage – backed by decades of MMA/karate lineage and real-world credentials.

  3. Engaging belt system – mirrors martial arts progression but focuses on real-life competencies.

  4. Accessible tools – books, articles, motivational phrases, and community support under the “CommonSensei” brand.


✅ Should you explore it?

  • This is ideal if you’re looking for a self-improvement system that fuses martial arts principles with practical life guidance.

  • Interested in structured mentorship? The belt metaphor could make growth tangible and motivational.

  • Want content first? Starting with the book or online articles might help you decide if it’s the right fit before committing to coaching.

 

by norwinninjas

About the author: Bill Viola Jr. is Amazon best-selling author and creator of the award-winning Sensei Says® life skills curriculum. He experienced the "Golden Era" of MMA firsthand as his father, Bill Sr., is credited as the co-creator of the sport of mixed martial arts in 1979. His book Godfathers of MMA inspired the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME film Tough Guys where he acted as a producer alongside an Academy Award accredited team. The Viola family owns and operates Allegheny Shotokan Karate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania now celebrating their 50-year anniversary (1969-2019). He is currently the President of Kumite Classic Entertainment Corp. bill@kumiteclassic.com • Connect LinkedIn #senseisays #sokepokey #martialwayist